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Environmental Analysis

The document outlines key factors to consider in an environmental analysis for building design: 1) Analyze the site's topography, geology, vegetation, and existing infrastructure. 2) Investigate utilities, soil/rock type, seismic activity, and environmental hazards. 3) Consider the surrounding context including cultural/historical factors and economic concerns. 4) Determine applicable zoning regulations regarding height, setbacks, coverage, and environmental requirements.

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Mickey Mekuannint
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43 views

Environmental Analysis

The document outlines key factors to consider in an environmental analysis for building design: 1) Analyze the site's topography, geology, vegetation, and existing infrastructure. 2) Investigate utilities, soil/rock type, seismic activity, and environmental hazards. 3) Consider the surrounding context including cultural/historical factors and economic concerns. 4) Determine applicable zoning regulations regarding height, setbacks, coverage, and environmental requirements.

Uploaded by

Mickey Mekuannint
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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environmental analysis

1. Identify topographical features.


a. Ground- and surface water conditions and issues (natural and historical)
b. Access and orientation
c. Vegetation
d. Potential slope problems or opportunities
e. Structural issues - geologic conditions that might affect structural design?]
2. Identify geotechnical issues.
a. Soil and rock type
b. Seismic activity
c. Environmental hazards 4. Locate existing utilities.
a. Types
b. Location
c. Size
5. Investigate site context.
a. Immediate surroundings
b. Cultural and historical factors - historic buildings can inform the architect of past successful
attempts at passively designed structures that have stood the test of time. By analyzing these existing
structures the architect can incorporate successful techniques and methods while avoiding
unsuccessful ones
c. Economic concerns
6. Determine zoning and building regulations.
a. Height limits
b. Setbacks
c. Maximum site coverage
d. Floor area ratios
e. Required landscape area
f. Environmental regulations
g. View corridors or other protected requirements
h. Urban design criteria, if applicable
 Geographical location
 The climate and weather
 Waste disposal laws
 Energy consumption regulation
 People’s attitude towards the environment

• Building location options on the site


• Regulatory restrictions (e.g., parking, zoning, building codes, ADA) for the site
• Natural conditions (e.g., topography, vegetation, climate considerations, orientation) on the site
• Constructed conditions (e.g., infrastructure, building foundation)
• Access to utilities
• Environmental hazards
• Input from consultants (e.g., landscape architect, geotechnical engineer)
• Input from groups with community interest (e.g., community organizations, historic preservation organizations)
• Information from public agencies with jurisdictional authority (e.g., zoning, planning, building, fire)
• Feasibility of alternative sites
•
• Natural Conditions. In sustainable design the natural conditions are the greatest contributor to the designer. Natural
conditions are those conditions that are part of the site and the immediate surrounding that occur naturally (without human
intervention). Though these conditions are similar to the regional climate and ecology, the micro climate of the site can vary
considerably. This is why regional monthly climatic data, though important in the first analysis, yields to the micro climate conditions of
the specific site for informing the design. Other topics of importance are existing and native vegetation; soils and topography and data
on geology of the site and region.
•
• Constructed Conditions. Two types of existing structures may affect building design. One is any infrastructure previously built
on the site. This includes both structures no longer in use and slated for demolition and those that will remain on the site, as in
renovation or preservation of a historic structure. The second type is off-site structures that may affect use of the site. The urban scale
or character of structures on adjoining sites can restrict what can be built on a site, as can the public nature of adjacent spaces such as a
community square or other public amenity. A not yet built structure may affect the solar gain, view corridors, or air quality
considerations, on the site and most be considered as well.
•
• Utilities. The existence and location of utilities greatly affects a site plan and ultimately the design itself. The cost required to put
utilities underground, move them out of view or away from site access, or comply with ordinances can significantly affect the budget for
a project.
SOCIAL

FIRMNESS COMMODITY

ENVIRONMENTAL /
ECOLOGICAL
ECONOMIC

DELIGHT

THE SITE / THE PLACE


Social factors

 The cultural implications


 The gender and connected demographics
 The social lifestyles
 The domestic structures
 Educational levels
 Distribution of Wealth

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