The Owner Built Home & Homestead
(Page 11 of 23)
My chart No. 1 cannot indicate what is perhaps one of the
most important aspects of site planning; the site's
physiognomy; that is, the essense, spirit, or original
individuality of the site. If the owner-builder is fully
aware of his particular site—as it relates to the
ethos of the regional landscape and character of the
existing neighborhood—he will not go far wrong in his
site-planning practices. Much can be said about the human
feeling towards the setting, especially in regards to one's
immediate plot of ground—the microcosmos and
micro-climate of a half-acre lot, say. I have certainly
seen the effect that care and loving attention can have on
a setting. Really high-quality site developments result
where seemingly the only investment is imagination tempered
by a full realization of the profound assets which lie
within each site. Ambient forces were allowed to exert
their full energy, unhampered—but on the contrary,
developed—by personal re-directions.
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The best approach to site development lies somewhere
between the "masterful" and "subservient" levels. One
should neither wreck the site nor fail to develop its
character. Richard Neutra speaks of the consequences of
disregard for the site's individuality:
. . . try to understand the character and peculiarities of
your site. Heighten and intensify what it may offer, never
work against its inner grain and fiber. You will pay dearly
for any such offense, though you may never clearly note
what wasting leak your happiness has sprung.
Once this "feeling-for-the-site" apsect has been achieved,
one should begin the house plan by first drawing a site
plan. (A house plan can only be drawn on a site plan; both
site and building must be regarded in the same light.)
Three general areas of space are outlined; the public area,
the private area, and the service area. Under each heading,
list all the space requirements proper to it; a
patio-garden living room, a game-play area for children; an
outdoor work area (crafts, hobby projects, auto repair);
outdoor storage facilities for garden tools, firewood,
lumber, compost; a trash-area; plant structures (lathhouse,
greenhouse, garden work-center); a vegetable garden,
fountain or swimming pool, perhaps some animals . . .
As your desires and needs are listed, the space allotments
for their satisfaction plotted on the site map, the plan
will blossom and begin to take form. Like a successful
jig-saw puzzle, each component will fall into its obvious,
unmistakable position. You will know that this particular
function must take place at this particular place on the
plan, and that this amount of space must be allocated for
this other particular need. Soon the whole scheme will
become immediately perceivable. It will be right, and you
will be sure of its rightness. And you will know when the
time has arrived for the first stage of plant arrangement
and building design.
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