Building Size and Scale

The scale, size and configuration of a building have an impact on the sustainability (energy consumption), relationship with the surrounding urban structure and the contribution to the neighbouring space.

Building Height:

• Tall buildings act as focal points, emphasise hierarchy i.e. of urban activity such as town centres or transport links
• They have a positive role to play in signifying locations of civic, commercial or visual importance
• In many urban areas tall buildings will be placed on corners, end of vistas etc. Medium size building will instead provide the optimum form due to their ability to accommodate a range of uses
• Problems of different juxtapositions can be resolved by a variety of measures i.e. wrapping large spaces with small buildings
• Negative effects equate to the intensification of micro-climatic conditions, environmental performance of neighbouring buildings and the reduction in active frontages

Building Depth:

• Building depth impacts upon artificial lighting and ventilation
• Impacts upon the ability for flexible internal planning
• Impacts upon the energy efficiency of the building
• Orientating the building so that its long side faces onto the street can rectify many of thee problems, creating a more versatile form of design

 

 

Corner:

• Are visually important. Acting as gateways or focal points
• Corner buildings can be staggered in height, with the highest angle on the immediate corner
• They can have two frontages and can, potentially, have more frontages
• Provide great opportunities for mix uses

Building Width:

• Width can have an impact on the flexibility of a building, active frontage etc
• Buildings comprising 5-7m wide day lit ‘cells’ or ‘modules’ provide an extremely flexible forms