Course: Ecological Building Design and Materials (3673) Semester: Spring, 2020
ASSIGNMENT - 1
Q.2 What are the main principles of design and building development? Which
materials and construction techniques / process would you recommend with reference
to your context for building an energy efficient house?
1. Introduction
general design principles that should be considered in the design of all development. Certain
guidelines may only apply to non-residential projects depending on whether a proposed
project includes specific features.
2. Site Design Principles
A. Fit the site. Each development project should be designed to respect site character and
constraints, and minimize changes to natural conditions, rather than altering a site to
accommodate a stock building plan.
B. Think about function. A site’s various activities and elements should be logically located
so the project operates efficiently and considers the needs of pedestrians and other users.
C. Provide a pleasing transition. Attention should be given to the transition between the
street and the project through definition of the building entry, walkways and landscaping.
D. Coordinate site elements with the buildings. The design and placement of fences,
retaining walls, gates, arbors, and other site features should relate to building architecture
and site topography. The Planning Commission is especially concerned that these
elements be of the same quality, in design and materials, as the buildings.
3. Building Design Principles
A. Keep building elements in proportion. Proportion, continuity, harmony, simplicity,
rhythm and balance should prevail in building design. Building elements should be
balanced and in proportion to one another.
B. Strive for interest, not clutter. The City encourages well-articulated, but not cluttered
building elevations. Large roof and wall plan unrelieved by shadow or textural interest are
generally not acceptable. However, too many elevation details can overwhelm the senses
and appear awkward, gaudy, and/or chaotic.
C. Pay attention to details. Attention to detailing, and emphasis on vertical and horizontal
articulation, are encouraged as tools to visually reduce the apparent mass of a building.
D. Select materials carefully. Exterior treatment should be restrained, not harsh or garish,
and should be selected for durability, weathering characteristics, and authenticity, as well
as for beauty.
E. Think about maintenance. Ease of maintenance should be considered in selecting forms,
fixtures, materials and finishes.
F. Coordinate the new with the old. When new construction is proposed on a site with
existing structures that are to be retained, the new work should be designed to coordinate
with the old.
ECOLOGICAL BUILDING DESIGN AND MATERIALS 1
Figure 1: Holistic Approach of Energy Efficient Building Design
Figure 2: Technologies used for Energy Efficient Building
4. Commercial and Industrial Project Design
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The following design guidelines apply to all commercial projects.
A. Overall design objectives for commercial projects. The design of each project should
work toward achieving the following objectives.
1. Consider Patterson’s small-town scale and demonstrate sensitivity to the design
context of the surrounding area.
2. Avoid “boxy” structures with large, flat wall planes by articulating building forms and
elevations to create interesting roof lines, building shapes, and patterns of shade and
shadow.
3. Preserve the design integrity of historic structures and neighborhoods adjacent to the
commercial area.
4. Provide landscaping as a project amenity, and to help screen parking, equipment and
storage areas.
5. Provide site access, parking and circulation that is planned in a logical, safe manner
that avoids awkward or cramped turning movements.
6. Consider the need for signs and their appropriate scale and locations early in the
design process, so that they are not an afterthought.
7. Design spaces for outside equipment, trash receptacles, storage, and loading areas in
the least conspicuous part of the site.
Figure 3: Commercial Building Design
B. General architectural design guidelines.
1. Architectural style. No architectural style or design theme is required in the City nor
can Patterson be defined by any one architectural style. A wide range of architectural
characteristics adds to the City’s overall image. While variety in design is generally
encouraged, the compatibility of new projects with the existing built environment
should be a priority. The goal is to preserve not only the historic flavor of the
community but, equally important, its scale and ambience.
2. Neighborhood compatibility. In designing a building, it is important to analyze the
areas surrounding the building site to find elements of compatibility that can be used
in a new design. Simply duplicating the character of surrounding buildings, however,
should not be a design goal. It is important for each site to both maintain its own
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identity and be complementary to its surroundings. Thus, a new building can be
unique and interesting and still show respect for and compatibility with the
architectural styles and scale of other buildings in its vicinity.
3. Design consistency. Designs should demonstrate a consistent use of colors, materials,
and detailing throughout all elevations of the building. Elevations which do not
directly face a street should not be ignored or receive only minimal architectural
treatment. Each building should look like the same building from all sides.
4. Parapets. Parapet walls should be treated as an integral part of the building design.
They should receive architectural detailing consistent with the rest of the facade and
should not appear as unrelated elements intended only to screen the roof behind them.
C. Site planning. Project site planning should comply with the following guidelines.
1. Consider neighboring development. Each development proposal should
demonstrate consideration for the existing conditions on and off the site including the
following.
The uses on, and site layout of neighboring properties;
The architectural style, and the shape and massing of neighboring structures.
Existing natural features (i.e., mature trees, landforms, etc).
Opportunities to preserve or enhance views of the foothills west of the City.
Privacy and solar access of the site and neighboring properties.
Opportunities for new projects to provide physical links to adjacent
development using sidewalks, and shared access drives and parking, whenever
possible.
Figure 4: Commercial or Industrial Building Design
2. Building and parking location.
Buildings should generally be oriented parallel to streets and should be placed
as close to the street as required setbacks and consistent building placement
permit. Buildings may be angled to create interesting juxtapositions if there is
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a clear and desirable design goal to be achieved. However, the definition of
the street edge is an important role for buildings and should be considered in
project design. Exceptions may occur for wider setbacks from the street if a
compatible use is proposed (for example, outdoor dining or pedestrian rest
area) or to maintain continuity with landscaped areas on adjacent properties.
Parking areas on adjoining parcels should be connected to allow continuous
vehicle and pedestrian access. Pedestrian linkages between parcels should be
located separately from vehicle connections where possible, and clearly
differentiated from vehicle ways in all cases.
3. Landscaping.
Landscaped areas should be planned as an integral part of the overall project
and not simply located in "left over" areas of the site.
Trees shall be used in parking lots to help visually break up large expanses of
paving and to provide some shading. Some trees within parking areas should
be deciduous, to provide pavement surface shading during the warmer months,
and to allow for solar gain during the winter. Tree species should be selected
with rooting and canopy patterns to fit the spaces provided them. In general,
species with messy fruits, pods, and seeds that will drop on the surfaces below
are not good choices.
4. On-site lighting.
Exterior lighting should be designed to be compatible with the architectural
and landscape design of the project.
An appropriate hierarchy of lighting fixtures/structures and intensity should be
considered when designing the lighting for the various elements of a project
(i.e., building and site entrances, walkways, parking areas, or other areas of the
site).
Reference:
1. chapter-2-general-design-principles_compress. Pdf
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