SAKSHI MALIK

GCAD/16/324
ASSIGNMENT
Q. Explain how architects can play their role towards sustainability by considering the
following:-
a) Site planning and design
One of the most important and effective ways to create sustainable designs is by taking a
collaborative approach. Ideally all of the project stakeholders (owner, architect, engineers,
contractors, etc.) are brought together before the design process begins, and the design
process can be completely collaborative, with all parties providing valuable input based on their
expertise.
What Is a Sustainable Site Plan?
Definition is as follows: "A sustainable site plan has the least environmental impact while still
meeting the client's project goals." It's not sustainable if it only parks half the cars that the
project needs and costs twice as much as the budgeted amount. Just like any other design,
sustainable design must fit within the typical project parameters and must also consider the
environmental impacts.
Site Selection
Site selection can significantly effect the environmental impact of a project. Some specific
parameters to consider when selecting a site include the following:

 Avoid flood plains. Continued development in natural flood plain areas has contributed

to increased flooding, decreased flooding, and increased soil loss.

 Provide buffers for bodies of water. Development around bodies of water such as

streams and wetlands should be limited and include buffers of undisturbed areas of 50'
– 100' or more.

 Avoid greenfields. Greyfields and brownfields are often less expensive to develop, place

less stress on infrastructure, and limit the environmental impact of developing
previously undeveloped sites.

 Keep transportation in mind. The transportation of people and goods to a site can have
significant effects. Try to select sites accessible by public and non-motorized
transportation
Site/Building Layout
The simple act of properly orienting a building can create energy savings of up to 25%. As little
as an eight-degree rotation can have an impact. Consider the following when siting and
orienting buildings.

 Elongate the plan on the east/west axis.

 Maximize north and south exposures for daylighting.

 Minimize east- and west-facing windows.

 Orient the most populated areas to the north and south.

The above items are good general guidelines but keep in mind that extreme climates may
warrant different practices. For instance, in extremely cold climates, limiting the number of
windows on the north side may create energy savings that outweigh the benefits of the
daylighting that they provide.
Impervious Surfaces
Increasing the imperviousness of a site can have a tremendous effect on the water cycle.
Impervious surfaces limit groundwater recharge, increase pollutant loads and runoff, and
create a heat island effect. It is important to limit the impervious areas on site to a minimum.
Doing so often improves the aesthetic appeal of a site, reduces the environmental impact, and
saves money. Below are some ways to reduce site imperviousness.

 Minimize parking areas by adhering to the minimum zoning code or less, incorporating
compact car spaces when possible, and reducing lane sizes.

 Provide plantings in and around parking areas.

 Implement green roofs.

 Implement pervious paving options such as pervious pavement/asphalt,

pervious concrete, permeable pavers, and "grass pave" systems.
Grading Considerations
The environmental impacts of mass grading a development or building site are often
overlooked. Site grading destroys the natural ecosystem present within the soil. This ecosystem
breaks down pollutants, provides nutrients for biota, supports insect and animal life, and has
numerous other benefits. It takes many years for the soil to recover from mass grading; in some
cases it never does. Soil erosion, which can be a temporary or permanent effect of grading,
pollutes waterways and washes valuable soil off-site. Whenever possible we should try to limit
grading operations as in the distances given below.

 Less than 10' beyond surface walkways, patios, surface parking, and utilities.
  Less than 40' beyond the building perimeter.

 Less than 15' beyond primary roadway curbs.

 Less than 25' beyond constructed areas with permeable surfaces (such as pervious
paving, stormwater detention areas, and playing fields).
Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff is one of the most significant environmental impacts of a developed site, but
it also provides one of the greatest opportunities for sustainable design. All of the items listed
above help to limit the amount and speed of stormwater leaving the property and also
contribute to improving the water quality. However, developing a site can significantly alter the
hydrologic cycle for the property and surrounding area. Steps can and should be taken to
maintain the pre-development hydrology or even to improve it. Many municipal regulations
require that the post-development runoff rate does not exceed the pre-development rate but
do not address runoff quantity. These regulations are largely flood control-based and do not
address groundwater recharge and the hydrologic cycle. The low-impact development (LID)
techniques shown below can be used to mimic the pre-development hydrology.

 Raingardens/Bioretention: 6" – 12" deep, 8% – 10% of the site area, less than 1/2 acre
drainage area, up to 2 acres possible, landscape islands, and 4' – 10' between parking
rows and 8' – 10' for double-loaded rows.

 Wetlands: 6" – 12" deep, large drainage areas (often less than 25 acres), minimum of 6”
– 18” permanent pool depth, excellent water quality control and wildlife habitats.

 Grass Swales/Infiltration Trenches: up to 5 acres of drainage areas, 1% – 4% slopes,

low-maintenance and improved stormwater quality.

 Green Roofs: well suited for urban and ultra urban areas, intensive and extensive types,
less than a 20% roof slope, improved stormwater quality and interception and storage
of rainfall (up to 50%).
Landscape Design
Landscape design is often ignored in the initial planning stages and is tacked on at the end of
the project. This practice is unfortunate and discounts the many benefits that proper landscape
design can have, beyond aesthetics. On the other hand, improper landscape design can have
significant negative effects such as excessive use of potable water for landscaping and erosion.
Below is a list of items to consider during the site planning phase and throughout the design
process.

 Limit potable water use to native species, place landscape areas to receive runoff, and
use captured rainwater.
 Shade large hardscapes.

 Shade buildings in summer and allow sunlight in during winter.

 Place and design landscape areas to filter and clean stormwater.

 Site raingardens in parking areas.

 Dig bioretention, rather than retention, ponds.