Looking for a block of land can be a daunting process. Ensuring
you secure one in a good solar location can be even more
challenging. Here are some tips to help you choose a
block of land in Western Australia that will maximise your ability
to have a climate sensible home designed and built upon it.
Choose a block that:
- Is in a quiet neighbourhood away from polluting environments
and large electrical infrastructures like sub-stations and high
voltage overhead cables; and is
- Walking distance to regular public transport, schools, doctors,
shops and parks should be within walking distance.
The following list contains aspects that should be considered
when a home is being sited to be climatically as well as
practically designed:
- The zone for the house on site must be chosen to take advantage
of the local climatic conditions.
- Orientation of the zone for the house should face north.
- Take into account the ground levels when positioning and
shaping the house footprint.
- Position the home near existing trees (pending root structures)
that can be kept, to assist with interesting outlooks from the
future home and the provision of summer shading.
- Open up views and outlooks to key zones of the house.
- Shape the house to take advantage of prevailing winds and
cooling breezes.
- Consider the placement in relation to mandatory local
government setbacks and height limits.
- Take into account obstructions to sun and light from
neighbours' buildings and trees.
- Maintain privacy to key outdoor areas.
- Consider pedestrian and car access points to the property and
the approach to the house.
- Define the parking strategy for visitors and residents.
- Visualise the aesthetic impact of the siting and adjust
positioning accordingly.
- Layout the main building and out-buildings in a practical and
functional manner.
- Consider the construction constraints of the sub-soil
conditions and seek expert analysis, where necessary.
- Position where water tanks, drying areas, vegetable gardens and
garbage bins are likely to be placed for convenience and visual
harmony.
- Plan to minimise the risk of bush fire on country blocks with
fire breaks
- Consider positioning of grey water and septic waste
systems.
All these aspects are likely to have a practical bearing on the
planning and positioning of a home and its surrounds. They all need
to be considered before the briefing stage so the intricacies of
the concept design do not blur the big picture and make the home
impractical in achieving comfortable, convenient
living.
Author: Garry Baverstock