If there are trees close to where you’re building, it’s probably a good idea to get them checked out. This new house by architects Ian McChesney (
www.mcchesney.co.uk) was built close to trees. The designers had to negotiate extensively with the local planning department, mainly because of the location within a conservation area
ADAM SCOTT
Why are self build houses better designed than most of those found on a typical housing estate? It’s partly because self builders customise their homes to their individual tastes, aspirations and budget. But there is another factor that makes the character of a well-planned project unique – where it’s built. Every plot, however ordinary it may look, has distinct features that can influence the layout and form of the building. Architects use these characteristics to help shape a new dwelling.
How a house design can reflect its location will be covered in a later article, so here we are going to suggest some steps to take when you first encounter a plot: the kinds of things that are useful to know even before you own it. Although there are many lines of investigation to follow when carrying out a site appraisal, some have little effect on the design other than reducing or increasing the budget, such as legal issues. I am going to concentrate on a few of the more common physical features of a plot that could affect the way that the house plan evolves.
Sourcing useful information
The first step is to methodically gather as much information as possible about the piece of land and its surroundings. At some point you will need professional help, but you can do much of the legwork yourself. An Ordnance Survey (OS) map is issued by the Land Registry when the purchase is complete, but rather than wait for this, it is quicker to source one from the internet or the local council planning department. Google Earth and other websites are an excellent source of data, sometimes allowing you to look back through the site’s past. If you’re really keen you could visit the local history section of the public library, where you may find maps going back several hundred years. This might provide clues about the former use of the site and perhaps any buildings that have been demolished which may have left hidden foundations.