Site Use

Considering how a building and site impact on each other, enhancing energy efficiency, comfort and convenience.

Site Use

The positioning of a house on a site is a crucial part of the preliminary design of the building project.

Good location is a matter of balancing all aspects of a site, prioritising requirements and considering how both site and building will impact on each other (for example, orientation for sun may conflict with views, or the easiest building platform may occupy the best outdoor living or garden spaces).

Good building location can enhance the sustainability, energy efficiency and passive design features of a home, resulting in cost savings and greater comfort for the inhabitants.

With computer modelling, BRANZ assessed 210 new houses that complied with the Building Code but did not use passive solar design. The average house required two to three times the amount of heating energy to maintain comfortable conditions compared to a house of similar price that incorporated passive solar design.

District Plans set out permitted land uses and uses requiring consent under the Resource Management Act. Preliminary design should include consideration of the District Plan requirements that apply to the site.

Early and comprehensive site planning, including driveway access, garaging, location of outdoor living areas, garden and utility areas, and fencing will ensure that the site is utilised to full advantage.



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    Resource Management Act (RMA)The Resource Management Act provides a framework for local authorities to control land use and other environmental impacts.

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    District Plan requirements
Building distance to boundaries, maximum permitted height and form of the building, and maximum permitted site coverage.

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    Positioning a house on the site
Taking advantage of sun and views, minimising undesirable effects of wind and noise and minimising impact on biodiversity.