Site and Design Process

Each site and property is unique to its special conditions. Our regional climate offers four balanced seasons and the opportunity to enjoy mountain living by thoughtful study and integration of each project into its site environment. We don’t drop houses on witches; successful design is an extension of its natural setting.

The process begins with site environmental analysis, an understanding of microclimates, solar exposures and topography; adjacent properties, weather patterns, watersheds, natural landscape, views and interior landscapes, infrastructure, man made elements, and the guidelines and requirements of each community and municipality. This information is processed along with the likely interior and exterior spaces during program analysis and development.

The first diagram shows the site topography overlaid with the compass and solar path on a building site. The angle and location of the sun is critical in designing a building that will perform comfortably. The sun can swing almost 240 degrees from east to west on a summer day, rising to 80 degrees in the southern sky, with daylight lasting 14 hours. The winter sun, conversely, swings only 120 degrees, rising just past 30 degrees and shines only 10 hours or less. How this affects as site’s microclimate (warm or cool banks), outdoor and indoor placement of spaces, as well as orientation of windows, roof design, porches, overhangs and shading, and daylighting of spaces is critical in the design, use and comfort of spaces. The site’s natural features, trees and landscape, rock outcroppings, drainage patterns are also important elements to consider in the context of a successful design. Add view directions, elements to be buffered, topographic constraints, prevailing breezes, winter winds, and aesthetics; it’s quite a lot to consider.  Trying to place a preconceived plan on such a site could produce a building that performs poorly, in terms of comfort, efficiency, and enjoyment.

The additional sketches show the stages of site schematic design and building layout and plan schematic designs in process. Eventually leading to a contextual, functional and successful architectural design adapted to its unique and special conditions.

Site Analysis and Topography

Site and Spatial Relationships

Schematic Site Layout

Site Schematic Design

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