The first step is to discover the uniqueness of the site. This is accomplished through a detailed site analysis, which will explore both the human use of the site and the ecosystem of the site. The site should be studied both analytically and emotionally. We begin by wandering the site, feeling the breezes, enjoying the views and smelling the fauna on numerous visits in different seasons and weather conditions.
The analytical analysis includes the following:
1. A base plan showing the existing conditions such as legal boundaries and easements; contours; trees over six inches; buildings; utility locations; ponds; marshes, wet lands, critical areas or other bodies of water. A licensed local surveyor can provide this information. It is essential for you to outline the scope of information that you want included on your survey. If your property is in a low lying area or a flood plain be sure to request a benchmark elevation. The survey will also include a North Arrow.
2. Next we annotate the survey showing the views, both good and bad; focal points; specimen trees; the direction of the breezes; surface drainage patterns; local microclimates; native plants; noise sources; and any other significant characteristic of the site.
3. A building cannot be knowledgably placed on the site without understanding the importance of the sun’s angles. How much difference is there between where the sun rises and sets from the winter to summer solstice? How much difference is there in its altitude at noon? This provides the criteria for sizing overhangs and porches to allow sun in the winter and shade in the summer. Sun angles are unique to each location and can be found in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, 2001 or from the website www.susdesign.com/sunangle. To determine the sun angles, you must know the longitude and latitude of your site, which can be found at www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer Altitude is the angle up from the horizon. Zero degrees altitude means exactly on your local horizon, and 90 degrees is "straight up". Azimuth is the angle along the horizon. Using these two angles, one can describe the apparent position of the sun at a given time.
Native vegetation- what would grow naturally in a given location? Is there room on a building site for native habitat and what vegetation encourages wildlife. Is it possible to coordinate natural corridor for wild life to move about with a development human inhibited place.
Once the analysis of existing conditions is completed, the protection and best use of the site is studied. You will want to consider the following.
1. Methods for preserving existing site and it’s flora and fauna. Building placement, or multiple small buildings, pile foundations, protection fencing, and research on value of native plant material. Study the site and resist the urge to clear it first.
2. Outdoor living spaces designed like interior living spaces. Combine them to make even larger inside/outside room. Fireplaces, lamps comfortable furniture, torches, chandeliers, art.
3. Sunset-sunrise viewing space- magical almost every day.
4. Bird feeders to better witness the cycles of migratory birds and the changes in permanent residents
5. Less lawn to allow for more bio diversity
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