Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

The use, scale, and structural systems of a building affect its particular site requirementsand associated environmental impacts. Building characteristics, orientation, and placementshould be considered in relation to the site so that proper drainage systems, circulationpatterns, landscape design, and other site-development features can be determined.. ☛ SUGGESTED PRACTICES AND CHECKLISTISite Analysis and AssessmentThe purpose of a site analysis is to break down the site into basic parts, to isolate areasand systems requiring protection, and to identify both off-site and on-site factors thatmay require mitigation. Site assessment is a process that examines the data gathered andidentified in the site analysis, assigns specific site factors to hierarchies of importance,and identifies, where possible, interactive relationships. For example, an analysis mayidentify specific soils and their properties, vegetation types and their distribution, or variousslope and slope-orientation conditions to name a few site factors. An assessmentapplies evaluation criteria that allow the comparison of various sites’ suitability for aspecific use.Sustainable design practices assess both site and building program to determine the site’scapacity to support the program without degrading vital systems, or requiring extraordinarydevelopment expenditures. The result of analysis and assessment is a blueprint forthe most appropriate ecological and physical fit between site, building, and the resultingcultural landscape.Figure 1TYPICAL TEMPERATE CLIMATEBIOCLIMATIC BUILDING AND SITE LAYOUTData CollectionTechnical Site Data❑ Perform a site analysis todetermine site characteristicsthat influence buildingdesign.The following site characteristicsinfluence building design elements,including form, shape,bulk, materials, skin-to-volumeratio, structural systems,mechanical systems, access andservice, solar orientation, andfinished floor elevation:– Geographical latitude (solaraltitude) and microclimate factors,such as wind loads—Affect building layout,including solar orientationand location of entrances,windows, and loading docks(Figure 1).– Topography and adjacent landfo r m s—Influence buildingproportions, wind loads,drainage strategies, floor elevations,and key gravity-fedsewer-line corridors (Figure 2).