Natural Resources
Existing features can provide cues to inform design.
A thorough investigation of a site’s natural resources will lead to a design that:
- Integrates the various needs of the new development
- Identifies possibilities that the site offers
- Recognises the site’s limitations.
Work with the elements
The design should maximise the site’s resources while minimising demands on the environment. This requires a long term view of the possible environmental impact and consideration of how to:
- Utilise the solar potential
- Make full use of rain water and drainage systems
- Use the potential of the ground for heating or cooling
- Harness wind energy
- Reduce energy demands (CHP/ biomass)
‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’
Consideration should be given to whether sites should be developed at all, and if so what can be done to avoid, reduce and remedy negative environmental impacts.
As a general principle, it is important to focus on how to repair and re-use previously developed or damaged parts of the site, while retaining and respecting undamaged parts. This requires three key considerations:
- Identify landscape assets to preserve
- Re-use and repair brownfield land
- Strengthen the identity and structure of the landscape