One of the first decisions to be made when designing a house is where to place it on the site. Whether it's a large or small plot, house placement impacts the architecture of the building itself and its relation with the neighborhood. Therefore, it must be carefully thought out and designed.
It is common to see houses with similar typologies in residential neighborhoods and gated communities due to their placement on their land, among other factors. Projects often seek to make the most of the land without paying attention to other important factors, such as the context and the residents' routines. Here are some factors to consider when starting your project.
Regulation and Standards
Laws and standards exist to regulate setbacks, envelope, minimum and maximum built area, and other factors that impact the volume of the work when building a new house. Despite some limitations, these standards guarantee some minimum insolation and soil permeability conditions. Following the rules and laws does not mean limiting the project but adapting it to the neighborhood and the city.
Natural Land Conditions
One of the most interesting aspects of placing a new residence on the plot is in the analysis of its natural conditions, considering factors such as topography, sunlight and existing vegetation. Besides implementing the construction taking into account shading and solar trajectory, it is also necessary to study the best way to adapt to the topography or how to build the house without impacting so much on the existing vegetation.
View
Another factor is the relationship between the house and the framing of the views around it. In the case of large plots in less dense areas, one must study and combine the views with the sunlight to ensure the context use. It is also possible to consider building discrete barriers to protect yourself from what you do not want to see. On smaller plots in denser places, the view does not need to be from the landscape but the neighboring trees and the sky, almost like a detail of everyday life.
Relationship With the Surroundings
Another factor to consider when deciding where to place a new house is the connection with the neighborhood. In this sense, it is necessary to understand the routine of the residents and how the relationship with the street and the neighboring residences will be, taking into account the privacy of the rooms. The relationship between the house with its surroundings is as important as the opposite. Ensuring that the house does not obstruct views or create awkward situations with neighbors because of windows and rooms too close to each other is also necessary.
Beyond the placement, the materials, openings, and levels determine the architecture. However, choosing the location is the beginning. It is the stage that outlines the arrival at the house, the views and the daily paths the residents will have, and the relationship the house will have with its surroundings. Therefore, it has to be carefully studied to extract the best from the land conditions.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on October 19, 2022.
