Site Use
Considering how a building and site impact on each other, enhancing energy efficiency, comfort and convenience.
Topography
If a site is flat, the topography may not influence the location and layout of the building, but on a sloping site, the topography is likely to be a significant design factor.
The slope of a site and/or the slope of adjacent sites may affect access to sun and views. For example, an east-facing hillside will have reduced afternoon and evening sunlight, particularly in winter, and depending on the height and steepness, a south-facing site may receive little or no sun during the winter months.
The location and layout of the building should be designed to minimise:
- the need for excavation or fill – as well as increasing costs, large-scale earthworks increase the risk of erosion by altering soil stability and water run-off patterns, increase sediment run-off during construction and significantly affect natural biodiversity by removing soils and plants
- the building’s footprint by using low-impact foundation systems such as pole frame construction to reduce the amount of site work and disruption
- the visual impact of the building form on the landscape.
- Designing to avoid shaded areas of the site
Shade from trees and landforms can be avoided by building higher on a site or by using skylights or clerestory windows. Taller buildings will increase the amount of shaded area on a site.