Name: Period:

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: RESPONSES TO SITE CONDITIONS

When architects and engineers plan to build

something, they first look at the site in which it is to
be constructed and they consider the purpose of
the structure they will build. This was true in
ancient times in Hawai‘i and it is still true today.

Hale hālāwai (gathering house) at Hana, Maui

Site conditions can be classified into 4 categories:

1. Natural – topography (shape of the land); geologic base (soil, erosion,

etc.); hydrology (water, drainage); vegetation (existing & desired plants); wildlife
(habitats, protected species); climate (sun, temperatures, precipitation, wind)

2. Cultural – existing land use (neighbors, noise, roads); transportation

(access by vehicle, on foot, disabled, parking, public bus routes); utilities (sewage,
electricity, gas, sustainability); boundaries (property line, easements); legal
regulations (building codes, bylaws, zoning, development proposal); history (past
site use and history, current importance, protocols for use, kapu)

3. Human – current use & needs of site (observations, interviews);

environmental quality (safety from crime, traffic, natural hazards); proposed
structure’s impact (quiet, cleanliness, convenience, privacy, community identity,
diversity, structure’s scale, continuity of site uses, cultural expression, social
interaction needs & opportunities)

4. Visual – site features (outstanding nearby features, natural or human-

made); views (from and of proposed structure, seasonal affects of views); spatial
qualities (outdoor/indoor spaces, variety, uniformity); sensory qualities (sounds,
smells, touch, colors from proposed structure and around site)

Usually, architects and engineers will create visuals of their proposed

structure and how they plan to respond to the site conditions using CAD
(computer assisted drafting). However, they often start with simple small
sketches, usually drawn to shown an aerial view of the site.

Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum Resource Go to: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana 1

NOT FULLY FIELD TESTED
 A) Look at the picture of the hale on page 1 and draw 3 site condition
sketches for it below as if you were looking straight down at the site
(#1 is done for you): (___ points)

Contours/Slope Drainage Sunpath Vegetation

10˚ slope downward

Think about the site conditions designers in Hawai‘i must give special
consideration to. The next example lists a few most & least important
conditions and the design responses you see evident in the State
Capital Building. Can you think of other important conditions and
responses for this site? Write you answers in the spaces below.

Example:

Important Condition Design Response

• state symbolism • reflecting pool, cone-

(ocean, volcano & shaped chambers
coconut palms) & tree-like columns
• sun, wind, rain, heat • open air design
• ________________ • ________________
________________ ________________
Not Important Design Response
Retrieved 9/6/07 from:
www.netstate.com • typical US state unique Hwn motifs in
•
capital building design
structure, decor
• topography • leveled land
• ________________ • ________________
________________ ________________

Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum Resource Go to: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana 2

NOT FULLY FIELD TESTED
 Now consider the 3 most and 3 least important conditions and design
responses you see evident in the Hawaiian structures below. Draw
&/or write your answers, using extra paper as needed.
B) (___ points)
Ancient Heiau
Important Condition Design Response

Pu‘ukohola Heiau (temple)

Not Important Design Response Hawai‘i Island
Retrieved 9/6/07 from:
www.girr.org/vacation_diaries/haw
aii_2003/hawaii_2003_diary.html

C) (___ points)
Traditional Hale
Important Condition Design Response

Not Important Design Response

Hale (house), Lahaina, Maui

Retrieved 9/6/07 from:
www.pbase.com/goislands/image/
27007894

Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum Resource Go to: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana 3

NOT FULLY FIELD TESTED
D) (___ points)

Modern Hale
Important Condition Design Response

Energy Efficient House, Hawai‘i

Retrieved 9/6/07 from:
www.energycodes.gov/news/sts/st
Not Important Design Response andard_fall01.stm

Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum Resource Go to: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana 4

NOT FULLY FIELD TESTED