Why does it matter to model the real terrain and real neighboring buildings?
◦ Which aspects of a building design are most affected by surrounding context?
The size of the buildings, the materials it is constructed out of, and the purpose of the building. For example, in this module, the building needs to be a mid-size commercial space in my location; it is Downtown Fremont, a heavy residential and person-oriented space. It is not an industrial park or industrial space, meaning that providing residential space made more sense rather than office space. And due ot this, how are the sites now keeping in mind the appeal toward residential living? How are the buildings formatted to accommodate a space people will be in frequently? Is there a lounge space? Is there enough surface area for greenery? nd if so, are we meeting the area metrics required for the design?
◦ What kinds of mistakes only become visible once the context is present?
Noise analysis: you can't tell how noisy a space is and how the building impacts what is actually experienced by people on the site until you 1.) construct a structure and 2.) load in traffic data for the area. You can speculate based on location (downtown, mid-size city, etc.), but you will not have clear numbers until context data is uploaded.
Should the building adapt to the site, or the site to the building?
◦ From a developer's perspective?
The site should adapt to the building, for a developer has a “vision” and goal for how the space will be used. Throughout the design process, a developer will work from the perspective of “how can I manipulate the space to serve my goals?”
◦ From a designer's perspective?
A mix of both; the designer has to serve the request of the clients while taking into account the real-world context of the space this project will be occupying. So, the site needs to be adaptd tf it th needs of the project, but the project also has to fit into the surrounding area. Some aspects of fulfilling a client's request or the building's purpose are dependent on its context and relation to the surrounding area (location, aesthetic, demand for resources, traffic, etc.).
◦ From the perspective of the neighbors who already live there?
The building should adapt to the site. People do not like massive change, especially if they are comfortable. From a local’s perspective, there would be larger pushback to develop a site in a way that does not complement the existing space.
You generated three proposals and recommended one.
◦ Did the analysis choose it, or did you choose it and then find numbers that agreed?
The analysis chose it; my favorite proposal was proposal B, but it did not perform the best in any of the analyses covered in the comparison matrix.
◦ What would you have had to see to abandon your favorite option?
Proposal B would have had to perform the best in the noise, sun hours, and total carbon analysis to be chosen, and it did not. Due to my location being busy, the noise analysis was a major consideration, as the site design needed to minimize noise as much as possible. Proposal B did not perform the best, and so this factor outweighed continuing forward with the site.
◦ If the lot next door is built out in three years, does your recommendation hold?
Yes, regardless, the mid-size commercial parcel fits into the function of Downtown, Fermont.