Site Orientation& Linear Measurements

House or Site OrientationDefinition: The placement of a structure on the property

with certain environmental and physical factors taken into consideration, a compass location of the rooms

Takes place at the beginning of design processFactors that may influence house or site orientation are:

1) terrain (topographical, contours, etc) 2) view 3) solar (sun exposure, site location) 4) wind 5) sound (noise) 6) zone

1) Terrain Orientation

The characteristic of the land on which the proposed structure will be placed

Contours dictate slopeAffects the type of structure

to be builtTypes of land categories

1) Level or generally level• Contour lines far apart

2) Sloped• Contour lines close together

Gentle Slope Steep Slope

1) Terrain Orientation - Level Sites

Natural site for single-level or two-story homes

1) Terrain Orientation - Sloped Sites

Natural location for multilevel or daylight basement homes

1) Terrain Orientation - Sloped SitesSubterranean construction places a portion of

the house below grade, is becoming popular

1) Terrain Orientation - ContoursHelp to determine the slope of the landContour intervals in this example are 1 vertical feet,

dark contours are 5 vertical feetCommon intervals are 1, 2, 5, 10 and even 50 feet

slope

slope

2) View Orientation

Many future homeowners purchase a building site because of the view mountains, city lights, a lake, the ocean, or golf course

2) View Orientation

View sites are more expensive than othersDesigner/architect should design a home

that optimizes the view, however, a trade-off between other orientation factors may have to be considered

3) Solar OrientationTo take full advantage

of Sun exposure to the structure Major living areas

face south for winter solar heat

Breakfast area should face east for morning sun

Solar chart shows the Southern orientation and the suns path also time of year

4) Wind Orientation

Determine the direction from which the wind most frequently blows (prevailing winds) in a given area of the country

Wind conditions should be taken into consideration for house orientation

One factor of orientation over another factor may outweigh the other

4) Wind OrientationLandscaping can help control wind

5) Sound Orientation

Sound coming from surrounding community or area can be good or bad natures sounds--singing birds, croaking frogs,

etc.

road noises, train sounds, major freeways, etc.

Positioning the house feature to reduce sound, such as garage, or closets

5) Sound Orientation

Landscaping, fences, berms, trees, hedges, etc. may help block out some of these noises

6) Zone Orientation

City zoning ordinances set and establish guidelines as to house location on the lot, the house height, size of house & lot, even the exterior design of home in some cases

Set backs are distances that set imaginary lines called building lines which are parallel lines to the property lines and establish the confine of where the house can be built

6) Zone Orientation - Set Backs

Set Backs

6) Zone Orientation - Set Backs

Notice line differences of property and building lines, both are labeled on the drawing

House placed inside building line area

House/Site Orientation - Example

Factors shown: view, solar, wind, zone

Linear Measurement -- Plot Plans

Civil Engineering Scale (Civil Scale) typically used on plot plans because of site or land measurements, contractor will use this type of measurement in positioning the house on the site.

The Civil Scale is divided into tenth, therefore all units are marked in feet and tenths of feet

Example: Architectural measurement = 5’- 6” Civil measurement = 5.5’

Divisions and Scales of the Civil Engineer Scale

Civil Engineer Scale ExamplesDivision is 10

Wide range of ratios

Civil Engineer Scale ExamplesDivision is 20

Wide range of ratios

Civil Engineer Scale ExamplesDivision is 30

Wide range of ratios

ZERO MARK

Angular Measurement

Drafting Protractor

Protractor and Vernier Plate

Angular Measurement

Reading the Protractor

Full degree measurement

Reading the Protractor

Degrees and minute measurements

Measurement of example:

7° 40’

7°

40’

Angular Measurement - Bearings

Direction with reference to one quadrant of the compass

The angle of deviation from the north/south line in an east or west direction 90 degrees or less

Are measured clockwise or counterclockwise and always from north or south

Bearings

Line OA bearing N60 ° E

Line OB bearing S75° E

Line OC bearing S30° W

Line OD bearing N45° W

O

A

B

C

D