SS Credit: Site Assessment

The best design decisions are made before design even begins.

 What is the Intent of this Credit?

The goal is to:

👉 assess site conditions early (pre-design)
👉 inform sustainable site design decisions

🎯 Big Picture

This credit is about:
👉 “Understand the site before you design the site.”

🌍 Why This Matters

Developing without understanding the site can lead to:

• loss of prime farmland
• destruction of habitats
• poor stormwater management
• inefficient building orientation

💡 Key Insight

👉 A good site assessment helps:

• avoid inappropriate sites
• reduce environmental impact
• make smarter design decisions

🔗 Connection to Integrative Process (Important)

👉 Site Assessment is part of:

👉 Integrative Design Process

🎯 Exam Insight

“Site assessment” is often linked to
👉 early analysis + integrative process

🧩 What Must Be Assessed? (VERY IMPORTANT)

Projects must evaluate:

👥 Human Factors

• human health impacts
• human use of the site

🌱 Soils

• soil type
• fertility
• contamination potential

🌿 Vegetation

• existing plants
• trees
• ecological value

🌤️ Climate

• temperature
• solar exposure
• prevailing winds

💧 Hydrology

• water flow
• drainage patterns
• flood risks

⛰️ Topography

• slopes
• elevation
• landform

🎯 Memory Tip

Human + Soil + Plants + Climate + Water + Land

🏗️ When Does This Happen?

👉 Must begin:

👉 as early as pre-design

🎯 Exam Insight

If you see:

• “early phase”
• “pre-design”

👉 Think Site Assessment / Integrative Process