Embedded Files
Final design scheme prior to construction of the first houses
1. Feasibility
Context:
Study the town:
Queensbury, NY is a suburb with no single center. It has three medium-density residential neighborhoods.
The potential development would increase the likelihood of local amenities like an elementary school, park, and corner grocery in the neighborhood.
Knowledge:
Urbanism: The city's history, planning considerations like economics.
Zoning codes: Market needs, types of buildings, where to locate the neighborhoods? How close to the town center? Is it worth developing?
Geology: Preserve nature, don't clear-cut forest, cluster buildings. Study water sheds, food sheds, energy source.
2. Surveying
Context:
There is an existing house on the site. The red lots are commercial.
Consider the size of the property and its access
Multiple empty lots for sale
Accessed by a residential street off a two-lane highway
Condition the land by clearing trees:
The previous owner had already cleared most of the trees. It was done in a thoughtful way regarding where to clear paths, and what trees to keep. The trees buffer the neighboring properties, and no more trees need to be cut down.
Knowledge:
Geological considerations like drainage and soil profile
Solar orientation, seasons, knowledge of plants and trees
Neighborhood character (style, materials, type, density, size of blocks)
3. Structures
Context:
Site the buildings one at a time:
The existing property lines need to be redrawn.
I started with the first three parcels because the site conditions already existed.
Knowledge:
Determine access to each site, where the buildings should go, how to shape a cluster to enhance the outdoor spaces.
Density: Maintain the right spacing for the neighborhood.
Negotiated Rights: Consider leaving empty space for potential buildings later on, or for a park, school, or road.
FIRST PROPERTY
The first parcel has an existing house that was split into two units and needs to be renovated.
Tear down the shed additions and open up the enclosed porch to how it was originally.
Return the house to a single-family house
SECOND PROPERTY
The second parcel has a street leading to the back of the property.
I ignored the property lines and placed the house next to the existing house.
THIRD PROPERTY
The third parcel is at a higher elevation than the others. It has a dirt road that leads to a swimming pool.
I placed the house in between the driveway and the existing swimming pool. The garage helps to shape the entrance.
FOURTH PROPERTY
The fourth parcel is large enough for several houses once it is expanded. There is an existing warehouse on the site.
Consider the appropriate density (spacing between the houses) and the general size of the houses.
I initially thought there might be enough space for three houses across from where the existing warehouse is, but once I visited in person, I decided that two houses fits better.
I marked the corners of each house on site to determine the right size and location. The location was dependent on shaping outdoor space.
4. Property Lines
Context:
Determine property lines and negotiated rights:
I used the approximate locations of the houses and their outdoor space to determine where property lines should be. I considered having a shared space (besides the street) that could be used for sports, but it turned into the cul-de-sac's turning radius.
Once the property lines are established, and certain rights are negotiated, the lots can be sold without having to build everything ourselves. Individuals can't finance building everything at once, and we can't predict how homeowners want their house to be.
Knowledge:
Roads, utilities, parking requirements
5. Preferences
Context:
Work with the homeowners to design each building. Follow the design process for architecture.
The three houses along the road are mostly determined by their context, so it makes sense to design them first.
The three houses in the back are more flexible. It makes sense to sell that part all to one person, who can figure out the subdivisions themselves. I designed the houses according to a potential scheme, but it would likely change during later stages of development.
Knowledge:
Google Sites
Report abuse