Site, Structure and its Surroundings | Principles of Green Architecture

Site and its Surroundings | Siting and Structure Design Efficiency

“Site and its Surroundings” is one of the seven principles of Green Building Architecture. In our earlier articles, we discussed about Sustainable Development.

Here are the seven Principles of Green Architecture:

  1. Site and its surroundings
  2. Energy Efficiency
  3. Water Efficiency
  4. Material Efficiency
  5. Indoor Air Quality
  6. Waste Reduction
  7. Low maintenance costs

The Green Principle “Site and its Surroundings” deals with it. We can relate them and try to understand the essence of this whole principle.

Site and its Surroundings
Site and its Surroundings

For a better understanding and study of the concept, we can divide the principle into three parts:

  1. Selection of a suitable site
  2. Site Analysis
  3. Site Development

Selection of a suitable site

Selection of a site depends on the type and the size of the Project. Our aim is to reduce the consumption of energy resources and still create an efficient structure.

Site selection is mainly based on two factors:

  1. Factors concerning “the before construction of the project”
  2. Factors concerning “the after construction of the structure” (after use efficiency)

Factors concerning “the before construction of the project”

  • Availability of skilled labour
  • Availability of cheap labour
  • Transportation facilities
  • Availability of local or natural materials to reduce construction and transportation costs
  • Rate of population growth and urbanization in that area
  • Town planning and environmental conditions

These are the factors that are to be examined and kept in mind while selecting a site prior to the construction of the project.

Factors concerning “the after construction of the structure” (after use efficiency)

  • Access to Parks and Playgrounds
  • Agricultural potentiality of the land
  • Availability of Public Utility Services especially water, electricity and sewage disposal
  • contour of the land in relation to the building costs
  • cost of land
  • distance from places of work
  • ease of drainage
  • location with respect to schools, colleges and public buildings
  • nature of use of adjacent areas
  • transport facilities
  • wind, velocity and direction

In our successive articles, we will discuss “Analysis of the site” and “Development of the site”. That will complete the study of the first Green Principle of Design.

Also check out:

Site Selection and Analysis | Architectural Thesis

Guide to Site Planning

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