1. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Residential Site Plan Considerations
Solar Orientation
Wind Orientation
Sound Orientation
View Orientation
Terrain Orientation
Existing Features
Site Opportunities Map
Landscaping
Location of Utilities
Building Lines
Ingress and Egress
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

2. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Solar Orientation
Winter versus summer
In the winter south facing windows (a southern exposure) bring in welcome solar gain.
In the summer this solar gain is a drain on the cost of cooling and should be minimized.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

3. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Solar Orientation
Deciduous trees in summer
Foliage of well-placed deciduous trees will block solar gain in the summer only if the foliage is close enough to the structure. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter, and so will allow the sun to reach the structure in the winter.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

4. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Solar Orientation
Summer solstice
Around the summer solstice, the sun is at a high angle in the sky. If the overhangs are designed properly, the sun does not penetrate the house.
Even if the trees do not shade the house directly, they have a cooling effect upon the area around the house.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

5. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Solar Orientation
Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter. This allows the sun to penetrate through the windows and strike the walls and floors of the house, producing welcome solar gain.
Deciduous trees in winter
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

6. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Solar Orientation
Winter solstice
Around the winter solstice, the sun is at a lower angle in the sky, which allows more sun to enter through the windows.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

7. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Solar Orientation
Winter solstice
Around the winter solstice, the solar gain created by transom windows can be dramatic.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

8. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Wind Orientation
Prevailing winds
The term prevailing winds refers to the direction from which the wind usually blows for a given part of the country.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

9. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Wind Orientation
Conifers in winter
Conifers are often used to block winter winds since they retain their foliage.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

10. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Wind Orientation
Garage placement
Strategic placement of the garage can result as a buffer between conditioned spaces and the prevailing wind.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

11. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Wind Orientation
Cross breezes can be effective at cooling a house if windows and rooms are planned carefully.
Cross breezes
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

12. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Sound Orientation
Unwanted noise
Adjacent properties, roads, and facilities can produce unwanted noise that can make a site less inhabitable. Fences, evergreens, walls, or berms are sometimes used as sound barriers.
Evergreens, walls, berms
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

13. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Sound Orientation
Walls and solid fences
Walls and solid fences can be created to limit unwanted noise on a site.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

14. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
View Orientation
If a site is chosen due to an appealing view, the structure should be designed and oriented appropriately.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

15. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Terrain Orientation
Slope of the land
The slope of the land can affect wind, rain-water runoff, and view.
In addition, it is generally more costly to build on a steep slope.
Very flat ground surface will require extra grading to provide sufficient drainage
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

16. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Existing Features
Are there any features on the lot that you wish to maintain? The site plan should indicate existing features that will remain in the design such as existing structures (like a stone fence), pavement, trees and vegetation, or a stream and wetland area. Existing features that will be demolished should also be noted on the site plan.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

17. Site Opportunities Map
Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Site Opportunities Map
A site opportunities map can help you record the site orientation opportunities and constraints for a given site.
The north arrow in this site plan view provides information for solar orientation. This site provides opportunities for views that must be balanced against protection from cold winter winds and the light and noise pollution that will spill over from the adjacent park and sports fields. In addition, the steep slope, the protected wetlands, and the existing trees should be avoided.
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

18. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Landscaping
House climate
Plants that are native to the region will withstand the weather conditions, require less water to maintain, and are often resistant to local diseases and pests.
Placement of the vegetation can block wind in the winter and can have a dramatic cooling effect on driveways, decks, the air conditioning unit, or the house itself.
Native plants
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

19. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Location of Utilities
Electricity, Water, Sewer, and Phone
Placement of the building should be determined with the location of utilities in mind.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

20. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Building Lines
BUILDING LINES
A building line is established to delineate the buildable area. The building line is established by the property lines, set back and buffer requirements, and easements. Note that the water (W) and sewer (S) lines are also indicated on this site plan view.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

21. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Ingress and Egress
How do the inhabitants enter and exit the site?
The site should be convenient and safe to enter and exit.
Parking should be adequate to accommodate the building’s capacity.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010

22. Residential Site Plan Considerations
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.3 – Residential Design `
Ingress and Egress
Potential Ingress/Egress
Zone
In this case potential ingress and egress will be from the MAIN ROAD (running North-South along the east edge of the property. It will be most cost effective to avoid the steep terrain in the Northeast corner of the property. In addition, many codes require that driveways be set away from property line. Therefore, the yellow shaded area may be the best location for a driveway entrance. Care should be taken to avoid the utility lines.
Project Lead The Way, Inc
Copyright 2010