Watch the video on Site Considerations for Green Building.
Site considerations for green building can be an overwhelming subject. In the broadest sense, "site considerations" can include the location of the land, its relationship and proximity to existing developed land, previous uses of the land, as well as the orientation and design of the home on the particular site. When more narrowly defined, site considerations includes simply the relationship of the specific home to the land it occupies—how the home is situated, how it's designed and landscaped, and the green building products it contains to make the most of the surrounding environment. This article focuses on the more narrow definition of site considerations.
Once the land for the home has been chosen, you'll need to analyze the site's particular characteristics to design and orient the home appropriately. Following are key environmental elements of the site to consider and ideas for green building practices to make the home and surrounding environment work in concert. Note that individual sites may have additional environmental elements to be considered.
Climate
Several climatic conditions must be considered and used to your advantage in designing and placing a home on a site: solar access; air movement patterns; average temperature and rainfall; microclimate factors, such as snow and wind load; and whether the site is in a predominantly heating or predominantly cooling region. In mild climates, it makes sense to design outdoor rooms, patios, and decks into the home to encourage homeowners to use outdoor spaces and possibly reduce the amount of indoor square footage that needs to be constructed, then heated and cooled. Homeowners also can benefit from the psychological effects of being outdoors. Other green building practices, such as passive solar heating, daylighting, and natural cooling from operable windows and channeled breezes, can be incorporated cost-effectively into most homes.
Topography
The site's topography is an important consideration in home placement. Topographical features influence drainage and air movement. Also, placing the home on a relatively flat area and in a natural clearing, as opposed to on a steep slope, will disrupt the natural vegetation less. When building on steep slopes, it's difficult to avoid soil erosion, loss of hillside vegetation, growth of invasive exotic vegetation, and damage to waterways. In addition, finding a flat area for the home will be less expensive than building on a slope. Positioning the home to keep service lines and roads as short as possible will leave the most pristine areas of the site untouched.
Also consider locating the home in view of natural topographic formations—rocks, trees, or hills. These can make a home feel welcoming and sheltered, which may encourage homeowners to use outdoor living spaces and reduce their square footage requirement of the home.
Water
Study the site to understand the groundwater and surface runoff characteristics. Then, design the home's landscaping to absorb storm water rather than construct expensive storm sewers to carry rainwater offsite. To reduce or eliminate the need for additional landscape watering, select drought-resistant native plants and perennial groundcovers. When landscape watering is necessary, consider the site's natural water availability—the average annual precipitation—and use rooftop water catchments to collect for outdoor watering.
Existing vegetation
Consider carefully the site's existing vegetation and use it to the home's advantage. Are there any natural clusters of trees that could be used for summer shading assistance? Or any natural shrub formations that could help channel cool summer breezes into the home and block cold winter winds? When necessary, consider relocating existing trees and other native vegetation to create these effects. For example, adding trees on the east and west sides of the home can help shade the home from early morning and late-day direct sun, dramatically reducing cooling loads. Creating hedge rows by relocating native plants can help block and channel airflow toward the home as desired. Furthermore, relocating existing vegetation will save on the cost for new landscaping plants, and it will require little or no watering. Be sensitive to any existing vegetation that is endangered, and treat it accordingly.
Wildlife
Avoid disrupting the wildlife as much as possible. Instead, find out about any animal migration or mating areas on the site, and do not locate the home in close proximity. Respecting existing wildlife trails and habitats preserves these areas for the animals and helps the homeowner avoid wildlife nuisances. It also provides observation enjoyment for the homeowner, especially if the home design includes large windows and outdoor living areas in view of wildlife habitat. Be sensitive to any wetlands or endangered species of animals on the site and treat these accordingly.
Considering the site's natural features and constraints when designing and building results in a home that complements rather than competes with the surrounding environment. This benefits the homeowner by providing beautiful views, potential for more outdoor living, a welcoming and protected home site, comfortable indoor and outdoor spaces, and lower energy and water costs. The environment can benefit, too, because fewer resources are used to operate the home, native vegetation and wildlife are disturbed less often, and pristine land can remain pristine.
To learn more about Site Considerations for Green Building, visit:
www.greenbuildingpages.com
PeaksToPrairies.org
www.greenbuilder.com
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