Sitework

Green building goes beyond the built structures because the use of the site and its natural elements can have a significant environmental impact. Early decisions about how to incorporate the home into the site can have significant long-term effects on local and regional ecosystems, as well as demand for water, chemicals and pesticides for site management.

Good design decisions can result in attractive, easy-to-maintain landscaping that protects native plant and animal species and contributes to the health of local and regional habitats. Depending on how a home is integrated into the site, normal rainfall can be a problem - causing soil erosion and run-off of chemicals and pesticides... or an opportunity - to offset potable water demand and recharge underground aquifers.

Surrounding plants can be a burden, requiring regular upkeep, watering and chemicals, or an enhancement that provides shade, aesthetic value, habitat for native species and a mechanism for absorbing carbon and enriching the soil.

Site design should take into consideration the aesthetic and functional preferences of the occupants, but also long-term management needs, preservation principles and potential impacts on local and regional ecosystems