Hierarchy of Site Elements - Sun vs Topography
After reviewing many different resources, I am a little confused as to which plays a more significant role in determining building orientation: The sun or topography. I read in some sources that it is best to place a building's length along aka parallel to a topography line. In another source (Hyperfine) however, the "best" building layout on a hillside was a long building where the width of the building was parallel to to the topography because this allowed the length of the building to face south and puts the building on the east west axis (see attached image). Building F was the best answer. While I would have normally picked F, I thought that G may be better on a sloped site since it followed the contours. Can anyone make sense of this?
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Interesting question. I would say that if you encounter a situation or location in which topography and solar exposure contradict each other or go against each other, you are either overthinking (like in this case with G), or you are not looking at the correct location. I'm pretty sure NCARB won't throw at you such trick. When it comes to determining building's location according to sun and topography, there are some general truths to remember. For NCARB they are all equally important.
1) Do not ever orient your building north-south (that's what G is doing). Ideally you want east-west with a little angle towards east, depending on your climate.
2) Following contour lines will be desirable from drainage perspective, and it can help with the construction cost
3) If you have to build on a slope (crossing topo lines), make sure that slope is not too big (many resources give you good reference numbers).
I hope this helps :) -
General Rule of thumb for these questions:
1. Don't pick the answer with the building oriented NS. Ever in these exams.
2. Don't pick the answer with the building located on top of a hill.
3. Don't pick the answer with the building located too close to water. If the question clearly identifies a body of water, do not pick the answer that blocks the view to the body of water, ie a building that is block from view with trees or a hill.
4. Don't pick the answer where the building is clearly on the north side of a hill. Do consider the building that is clearly on the south side of a hill.
Most often than not, these questions do NOT provide you a specific climate region. I'm sure i missed some rules of thumb, but these are the ones i consider when i see this type of question.
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