Site Considerations and the Building Enclosure

 The placement of a building is a huge factor when determining where your site will be located. Architects need to think about how the building is placed to the relationship to the sun, prevailing winds, and other site appurtenances will impact the energy use of the building as well as the natural daylight that enters the interior. Although interior designers do not necessarily deal with these decisions, it is important that we understand all aspects of a building since the interior comfort is directly impacted by site placement of the building including solar orientation, site
appurtenances such as shade trees, wind-blocking landscape, views and other site features. 

Overall site considerations can be divided into three basic categories; Regulatory concerns which address the various manmade conditions imposed upon a particular site as a result of zoning, building codes and site accessibility. Aesthetic is the way in which a building is placed on the site that can maximize views of pleasing site features. Environmental has its own ecosystem that contains a variety of life forms as well as weather characteristics.

Meera Sky Garden House, Singapore

The way in which a building is sited has direct consequences for the sustainability of the building. When designing a new building the USGBC’s LEED rating system asks designers to carefully consider the site with respect to existing infrastructure, transportation routes and proximity to urban areas. As designers, there are several ways we can improve our impact on the environment. Elements can include using green roofs, pervious pavement, and reduced impervious hardscaping.

The way in which a site is landscaped and developed will also directly impact the water usage. Several technologies have been and are being developed to reduce water usage such as waterless urinals, graywater usage, composing toilets and low flush toilets.

Interior designers do not deal with the roof framing, but they do have a respond to the shape of the roof as it impacts the interior space. There are many different roof types you can use for a building that may include Shed, Gable, Folded Plate, Flat with Parapet, Gambrel, Hip, Tent-Inflated, Dome, Mansard, and Shell. The materials used for these roof types include 3 primary materials which are metal, concrete and wood. There are several materials that are used to finish these roofs. The primary purpose is to shed water away from the roof framing and ultimately the interior. The type of finish material that can be used is related directly to the shape of the roof. Low sloped roofs can use only certain materials, such as asphalt shingles, whereas other materials like standing-seam metal and slate can be used on a steeply pitched roof.

As designers we have the power to reduce the amount of energy going on in a building so it is very important that we consider using a lighter color in locations where heat gain is an issue. The lighter the color, the less heat is absorbed. Another consideration is our material choice.  The type of material is also a huge factor to consider such as using sustainable options like recycled rubber shingles, cement board shingles, sustainably harvested wood products and recycled metal products.

Case Study: HAWAC

HAWAC is one of the most energy-efficient buildings of its kind in the United Stated and is a LEED Gold Certified building. This building has multiple opportunities to experience daylighting and views to the exterior which minimizes electricity use. The building also included recycled and those locally produced materials, during the process of construction, 92% of the construction waste generated was recycled. The main building material is concrete, both in the wall and floor/ceiling elements, which is crucial for the function of thermal mass. Thermal mass is a essential element of the natural ventilation system. The exterior walls are stick framed extensions approximately four feet from the pre-cast concrete walls. They also have a natural ventilation intake grill that allows fresh air to enter the building, improving indoor air quality by producing more air changes per minute. It also provides a relief for solar shading. The exterior finish materials are brick veneer at the lower level, and a combination EIFS and metal panels at the top. Window sill, jamb and head are finished in a white metal panel system, primarily to indirectly bounce day light into the facility. The landscape is also significantly enhanced to protect biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as serving as n sustainable landscape. New landscaping includes trees and shrubs, stormwater plantings and low prairie plantings.