From the Ground Up: Designing for Your Location
Location-sensitive design is a sign of architectural success. Take advantage of your site by using these simple but effective tips
We often see architectural designs that don’t seem to fit in. One way to avoid this happening to you is to inform your design using clues from your environment. Considering the scale, materials, proportion and siting of your design are just a few ways of designing with sensitivity and may also help you win support for development approval. Read on…
Consider the vernacular shapes and proportions of existing buildings on site and complement these without mimicking the style.
See more of this church conversion
See more of this church conversion
Let your landscape guide you! Design around what Mother Nature has given you rather than try to fight it. It may cost you less and give you some clues on how to plan your spaces.
Source local materials from the landscape
Seen here, Mihaly Slocombe‘s Hill House displays a beautiful palette of natural materials including rammed earth and rich timbers which complement the rural landscape that surrounds the home.
Seen here, Mihaly Slocombe‘s Hill House displays a beautiful palette of natural materials including rammed earth and rich timbers which complement the rural landscape that surrounds the home.
Using materials that weather, often called a patina finish, will allow your design to fit into natural environments.
Timbers and metals are great materials to allow a patina to form. Trying to maintain the appearance of a natural material is high-maintenance and costly, so embrace the patina early on and learn to love the natural evolution of your material palette.
Bring nature inside
Nothing brings nature into a design more than a large window. Apart from brightening the interior, picture-framing windows and views gives you animated art.
Learn more about this house
Nothing brings nature into a design more than a large window. Apart from brightening the interior, picture-framing windows and views gives you animated art.
Learn more about this house
Framing views is the most cost-effective form of decoration on the market and makes you feel connected to the land. Carefully consider your views regarding the sun and wet weather orientation.
Step inside this Mornington Peninsula home
Step inside this Mornington Peninsula home
Similarly, frame your home using both hard and soft landscaping. The landscape will transform contemporary forms into a gentle, sensitive home.
See more of this house
See more of this house
Play it smart with pattern
Patterns are found in most of our design environments. It’s just a matter of taking advantage of these patterns in an intelligent way.
Patterns are found in most of our design environments. It’s just a matter of taking advantage of these patterns in an intelligent way.
Wolveridge Architects have done this beautifully in this Northcote Residence. Wolveridge draws on the vernacular patterns of a weatherboard house and uses the same pattern on a rear extension in a contrasting tone. The result is sympathetic to the existing building without being a replica of the older style.
TELL US MORE
Can you add to these ideas about how to ensure your design works with the location? Share them in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Houzz Tour: Hugging the Cliff and the Tree Makes For a Great Escape
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4 New Zealand Homes That Proudly Connect With Their Environment
TELL US MORE
Can you add to these ideas about how to ensure your design works with the location? Share them in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Houzz Tour: Hugging the Cliff and the Tree Makes For a Great Escape
From the Pros: How to Work With an Architect
4 New Zealand Homes That Proudly Connect With Their Environment
When designing, think about the backdrop and slope of the land. Designs that join foreground and background work well in perspective and scale.