220 Energy & Resource Conservation strategies and techniques for energy and resource conservation with regard to both site and building design to achieve greater human comfort and opera tional efficiencies. Sound site planning and design is prescriptive and strategic. It charts appropriate patterns of use fora site while incorporating. construction methods that minimize site disruption and the expendi ture of financial and building resources. Ts section focuses on site-planning OTe Boe The process of calculating the degree of resource use and the degree of disturbance of existing natural systems required to su port a development begins with site selec- tion. The most environmentally sound evelopment is one that disturbs as litle of the existing site as possible. Building peo: jects also require connections to mass tran Sit, vehicular infrastructure, and tity and telecommuniaton networks. Sound site planning and design should consider sting 2 building to take advantage of existing service networks, The use, scale, and steuctural systems of a building affect Its particular site require ments and associated environmental Impacts. Building characteristics, ovienta- tion, and placement should be considered in relation to the site so that proper drainage systems, circulation patterns, landscape design, and other site-develop: ‘ment features can be determined, Site data on cimate, topography, sos, water, vegetation, and other factors should be collected and analyzed to assess a site's ‘compatibility with the proposed program fom an energy and resource conservation perspective. In addition to traditonal ste Planning information, the folowing data is typically collected and analyzed forthe st: Specific characteristics of climate zones: Different climates have specific tempera- ture and precipitation characteristics that suggest parvcularsitng anc oudang prac tices. Figure 220-1 shows the U.S. divided into four general climate zones (hot-humid, hhot-arid, temperate, and cold). Plant har~ diness maps provide a more refined description of microcimates with general regions (refer to section 550: Plants and Planting). Geographical latitude (solar altitude) Wd solar access: Exposure Uo solar radar jon determines orientation of buildings for Figure 220-1. Distribution of general climate zones across the United States. ‘maximum use of passive solar resources for heating, daylighting, and photovoltaics. Wind Patterns: Ai-movement, both annual and diumal, particularly influence siting of multiple'structures, to avoid damming of cold mosturesladen ait, oF blocking favorable cooling breezes during periods of overheating. Properly measured Wind loads and pressure differentials are essential for designing interior air-handling systems or use of passive solar cooling strategies, ‘Topography: Site topography and adia- cent landforms influence building propor- tions, wind patterns, drainage strategies, and key gravity-fed sewerline corridors, Soll Characteristics: Soil texture and load-bearing capacity determine bulding location and the type of footing requires for stability Site-grading processes are aso dictated by the sil's potential for erosion These factors influence the overall energy and resource consumption for design and construction, Groundwater and surface runoff charac- teristics: Site drainage determines building locations as well as natural channels for diverting storm runoff and locations of runoff detention ponds. Use of the existing drainage system minimizes need for addi tional infrastructure Vegetation: Existing vegetation should be inventoried to identify significant plant communities. This may influence building location, surface runoff characteris, and solar access tothe sit. ‘Adjacent land uses: Neighboring devel- opments and proposed future develop ments may influence site design or pro posed uses. Neighboring uses should pro The proces of calculating the degree of resource use andthe degre of disturbance of «esting natural systems required to support a development begins with site selection ‘The mast environmentally sound development i one that clsturbs as litle ofthe existing ste as possible. Adaptive re-use of existing buldngs, of redevelopment of dsturbed sites requires minimal dtuption of natural systems and should be encour: ages. 2. The best way to minimize transportation needs fora proposed development isto a) select a site which i located within or adjacent to residential, shopping, and/or work epportuntes; orb) prove a mi of uses on-site to meet the needs of residents and/or employees Sites located within or adjacent to existing development allow forthe most efficent and cost eHlecive extension of utes, Time: Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture(220-3 Vide support services that compliment the proposed development in order to min mize transportation needs of residents and/or employees. ulation: Existing traffic and parking patterns in areas which are adjacent to of near the site may need consideration in ‘elation to proposed building design and ‘ite cireulation patterns, in order to. mini ‘mize transportation infrastructure Utility Infrastructure: Potential. sites should be analyzed for existing ult infra structure and capacity, There may be insuf- ‘ielent existing infrastructure for the pro- posed project. The cost for requted addi- tional capacity and associated disruption to the surrounding area could make the pro- ject unfeasible TT) Atter a thorough analysis and assessment, ideal diagrammatle concepts are prepared with the objective of organizing all pro- posed bult elements to achieve an effective fit betwoen the site and the proposed development. The main goal of the con- cepts should be to minimize energy and resource consumption during construction land after occupation, it should be noted that during reclamation of disturbed sites, Initial expenditures may be higher than normal and should be belanced by ongoing landscape management strategies (refer to Section 640: Disturbed Landscapes for fur ther information on land reclamation). ‘The following steps serve to guide the ini- tial conceptual design process: 1.Develop general area takeoff and overall bulding footprint to measure total site coverage of impermeable surfaces and determine run-off pollu tion potential (e.g. greater than 20 percent impermeable coverage of Bross site area typically requires mit Baton to clean stormvater before it ‘enters drainage system). The site plan Should also be analyzed to ensure an efficient layout with regard to requited road, utility, and. service 2. Identify allernative site design con ‘epts to minimize resource costs and disruption. Develop several alter tives that explore grading and vegeta. tion-removal consequences, as well as resulting infrastructure costs 3. entity topographic and hydrological Impacls of proposed. design ard building use. Measure eut-and-il potential and assess potential for ero- Sion, siltation, and groundwater pol lution (refer to Section 320: Site Grading and Section 220 Stormunter Management for further informa- tion), 4. Review financial implications of site evelopment, building, and projected ‘maintenance costs. Total cost of the project must include ongoing costs associated with the ste design, devel ‘opment, and operations, as well as hidden energy costs associated with speciic materials Develop matrix of use and ste com- patibility index. Each site may be assessed to reveal its development compatiblity index with regard to a speatic type of development. This index may reveal a pattern of incom- patbiltes, suggesting a different ste be chosen or appropriate mitigation measures be undertaken, Site development must consider the requirements of infrastructure, the proposed boulding, and the ste, Strateges for each can inform site development and avout 3.4 Infrastructure Transportation: The best way to minimize transportation needs isto a) select a site whichis located within or adjacent to residential, shopping, and/or work opportunities; orb) provide a imix of uses on-site to meet the needs of residents and/or employees. if neither of these strategies are feasible, the following practices should be considered Use existing vehicular transportation networks: Ths practice minimizes the need for new infrastructure, and reduces imper= vious surface, parking requirements, and related cost, Support use of altemative transportation: Where possible, mass-ansit infrastructure and shuttle buses shouldbe used. Carpooing, strategies should be encouraged in adltion tomusstranst use, To foster the use of bic les, showers and lockers should be consi: fered at place of employment. All of these ttansportation methods reduce parking and transportation costs for residents and/or employees Consider increased use of telecommuting strategies: Telecommuting and teleconfer fencing can reduce commute time and num ber of vehicular trips to and fom the site Plan for adequate teleeommunicaions ina structure and access in commercial and ves dential design Consolidate service, pedestrian, and automobile circulation: To minimize pave: ment costs, improve eHfcency, and central ize runoff, the pattem of roads, walkways, and parking should be compact. This not ‘only is less expensive way to build, i also helps to reduce the amount of impervious surface. Utilities: Sites located within or adjacent to existing Lovcloprnet allow forthe mest effet and cost effective extension of utilities. The fol- lowing energy and resource-conserving prac: tices should ao be considered: Minimize road length, building foot- pint, and the actual ground area required for intended improvements: Such planning decreases the length of utility connections. Consult local codes regarding separation tequirements for water, sewer, electrical and gas lines. Use gravity sewer systems wherever possible: Avoid pumped sewer systems that requite ongoing power consumption, Reuse chemical-waste tanks and lines: Existing chemical-waste tanks and lines should be inspected, protected, and reused to avoid creation of additional hazardous- materials protlers, Consolidate utility coridors when feasi- ble: Where possible, common site utlty cor- ‘idors shouldbe consolidated along previous- Iy disturbed areas or along new road or walk ‘onstruction, both to minimize unnecessary ‘eating and trenching and to ensure ease fof access for regular maintenance. 3.2 Building and Site Requirements Land Features: Previously disturbed sites such as unused urban lots and commercial sites may already be affecting the environmental quality of neighboring properties, the watersheds, and other features. Adaptive re-use of existing buildings, or redevelop: iment of disturbed sites requires: minimal disruption of natural systems and should be encouraged. Furthermore, redevelopment fs likely to improve the immediate commu rity, potentially create jobs, and increase land values that have been affected by the abandoned or bighted property. Stream channels, flood plains, wetlands, steep erodible slopes, and mature vegeta- tion should be protected trom develop- ‘ment. 1 avord high site-preparanon costs, Time Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture 220 Energy & Conservation Resource