Good Design - The Site

  One of my favorite books is A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander, Oxford University Press, Copyright 1977.  The book defines a language of good design with respect from one's individual home to defining townships and communities.  It attempts to provide solutions with problems from natrual lighting to city street planning.  I will be focusing on the individual home since that is what concerns most people...what do I want in my home.
  The first step deals with the site of the home.  Most people live in some type of community or subdivision.  Some of the points that I make might not be able to apply because lots have already been determined by the developer.  But, a potential home owner may be able to exclude certain lots that do not follow the simple rules found in A Pattern Language.
  If the lot is big enough, where do you build the home?  Most people would think, "Build it on the nicest part of the lot."  But in fact, that is the opposite of what needs to be done.  You want to build the house on the least attractive spot, saving the more pristine areas for you to enjoy once the home is built.  The details are covered in Ch. 104 and 105.  If the lot has been predetermined by the developer, you are limited to where to place the house since most lots only support a small building envelope.
  Most homes today, have the main family areas in the back of the house.  You usually walk in and have a foyer, with stairs and maybe a formal area that gets used on rare occasions.  The kitchen & eat-in area and great room are located in the back.  Beyond that is the back yard.  Therefore, select a lot where the back of the house will be South-facing.  People will use the outdoors if the space is sunny.  Areas that are dark will be left alone.  By placing the back yard toward the South, it gives a place of warmth and invites people to use it.  If the lot's frontage faces the south, then select a plan that provides for an open terrace as well as a covered porch.  The open terrace could be off of a small den or family room.
  The book goes into great detail about the site of a home.  I encourage anyone that is considering building or buying a new home to seek the wisdom of this book.  Next week I will cover positive outdoor spaces and allowing natural light into your home.