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Section 2 Architectural Planning
So, you should ask yourself how much the site
will need to be modifi ed prior to building the
home. For example, will the modifi cations change
the contour of the land? Examples of changing the
contour include adding fi ll dirt to low-lying areas
or digging into or removing high areas. Changing
the contour affects patterns of water runoff not
only for the building site, but also for all the land
surrounding it. See Figure 11-4. To be sustainable,
a building must be built on a site in such a way
that harmful stormwater runoff is reduced or at
least controlled.
Another common modifi cation is the removal
of trees that provide habitat for wildlife and the
right amount of shade for other plants in the eco-
system. Many builders are conscientious in replac-
ing the removed trees with new ones after con-
struction. In fact, some building codes require this.
However, the new trees are rarely as large as those
removed, so the impact of their removal on the
local ecosystem should be considered.
Figure 11-3. An ecosystem includes not just
the trees and ground cover, but also the many
animal species who depend on them for food
and shelter.
Figure 11-4. The construction of this house changed the water runoff pattern for the entire hillside. Water
is defl ected around the house, which causes new fl ow patterns that affect everything downhill from the
house. (George Burba/Shutterstock.com)