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 foundation and lower floor are affected by the terrain and the amount of leveling required. Including the terrain and other data such as roads and buildings, helps ensure that the simulations account for how surrounding buildings, roads, and topography affect wind, sun exposure, and noise.
◦ What kinds of mistakes only become visible once the context is present? If one thinks surrounding buildings are not existent and design for a view to discovered that the views are blocked. Another issue if one runs an analysis on an empty terrain to discover structures are blocking wind and sun.
Should the building adapt to the site, or the site to the building?
◦ From a developer's perspective? If it is high end developer that would want to adapt the site to the vision or design In large terraforming projects. Or other luxury developers take advantage of rolling hills and design around it to build a much interesting landscape. If they are low cost developer they are usually first to remove vegetation immediately, level the land. i.e adapt the site to their building requirements. cost regardless plays a factor.
◦ From a designer's perspective? Depending on the vision. best designs however are adapted to the natural surrounding instead of fighting it.
◦ From the perspective of the neighbors who already live there? Most people do not like to change the nature of the neighborhood. in other words they would prefer that the building adapts to the site.
You generated three proposals and recommended one.
The analysis was very close call. I believe views will dictate the economic value of the building, hence it was prioritized. To abandon this choice, I think either code, or economic reasons would make me abandon the choice. However, If the views get blocked due to the building surrounding us are fully developed into high rise, then other facts like noise, and becoming more attentive to sun exposure, that was effortless when there was nothing.