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?
All aspects are greatly affected by the surrounding context. Wind, noise, and sunlight are great examples of this. The mass of surrounding buildings will change the path of wind currents. This means that you need to take these buildings into account when analyzing how wind will interact with your building if you want it to be accurate. Neighboring buildings can also affect the travel of noise in a similar way. They might block noise from certain directions or even amplify it if they have certain shape. Sun is also greatly affected by neighboring buildings. Especially tall, surrounding buildings can block sunlight from hitting your building and need to be considered.
◦ What kinds of mistakes only become visible once the context is present?
Ones that are created by another building’s influence on natural elements. There might be a spot on your building that is completely dark, because the building next to it is in the way of the sun. This could only be caught when you have the full context of the site.
Should the building adapt to the site, or the site to the building?
◦ From a developer's perspective?
A mix of both. However, its much easier, quicker, and cheaper to have the building adapt to the site. Because of this, a developer would sooner compromise a design element of the building than petition to correct the site.
◦ From a designer's perspective?
The building should adapt to the site. This is what a designer does. They have the tools and creativity to pick up a job and deliver a design that works for that site. If they need the site to adapt to the building, they’re not a very good designer.
◦ From the perspective of the neighbors who already live there?
The building should adapt to the site. They have lived with the site before a building was ever placed on it, and likely believe that it should be designed to fit the site that they already know and are comfortable with.
You generated three proposals and recommended one.
◦ Did the analysis choose it, or did you choose it and then find numbers that agreed?
A little bit of both. As an architecture student, I will always care deeply about the visual design of the things I make. Because of this, I certainly had a vested interest in certain design elements. However, I went by the numbers first, and whatever was subpar, I suggested to change.
◦ What would you have had to see to abandon your favorite option?
My favorite option was actually my third design. I had to abandon it because there was a very unfortunate dead air spot under the building as well as pockets of complete darkness. I knew these things made the design unsalvageable.
◦ If the lot next door is built out in three years, does your recommendation hold?
Generally yes. It might lead to an unintended amount of sun on that sign of the building, but most of the elements of the building are self-dependent.