SELECTING THE BEST HOMESITE
There are many critical factors in the creation of a new home. The next few series I’ll be highlighting some of these….
A great home starts with a great homesite. A great homesite is not the most dramatic or expensive one in the area, but it’s one that fits into your dream of a great home. This is one of the most important decisions a family can make in the process of building a new home. The right homesite makes the design of a wonderful home a much simpler task – conversely the wrong homesite will create problems throughout the design process and ultimately will reduce the enjoyment of the home. So, it’s important to consider the following factors before you purchase a homesite:
1. Slope: The degree at which the property slopes will greatly effect the design and cost of the home. For instance, if you’re interested in a sprawling one-story home with a courtyard, avoid properties with extreme slopes. Avoid sites on which the grade is higher behind the house that in front of the house – these create difficult design challenges and add construction cost.
2. Orientation. Choose a homesite that will allow a south or southeast orientation of the rear of the house. This is the ideal placement in the Central Texas region – southeastern breezes can be captured and the southern sun can be managed with overhangs and porches. Avoid properties with dramatic western views – it will be impossible to capitalize on the views while also blocking out the harsh western sun.
3. What type of home to you want? If it’s a sprawling house wrapped around a courtyard, avoid steeply sloping sites. If you want a home with dramatic views, a sloping site is probably going to best accomplish that goal. The best homes are designed to be responsive to the site on which it will be built, so the best homes must start with the right homesite.
Selecting the right homesite is the first critical factor in the process of creating a home that meets your desires and needs in a harmonious and cost-effective manner. Think of it as the true foundation of the building process – this decision will positively or negatively impact the rest of the process.
Rick Burleson, AIA is the principal of Burleson Design Group, an award-winning architectural firm located in Wimberley since 2004. Burleson Design Group specializes in the design of ranch homes and retreats in the Texas Hill Country that are responsive to the client, the climate, and the land.
There are many critical factors in the creation of a new home. The next few series I’ll be highlighting some of these….
A great home starts with a great homesite. A great homesite is not the most dramatic or expensive one in the area, but it’s one that fits into your dream of a great home. This is one of the most important decisions a family can make in the process of building a new home. The right homesite makes the design of a wonderful home a much simpler task – conversely the wrong homesite will create problems throughout the design process and ultimately will reduce the enjoyment of the home. So, it’s important to consider the following factors before you purchase a homesite:
1. Slope: The degree at which the property slopes will greatly effect the design and cost of the home. For instance, if you’re interested in a sprawling one-story home with a courtyard, avoid properties with extreme slopes. Avoid sites on which the grade is higher behind the house that in front of the house – these create difficult design challenges and add construction cost.
2. Orientation. Choose a homesite that will allow a south or southeast orientation of the rear of the house. This is the ideal placement in the Central Texas region – southeastern breezes can be captured and the southern sun can be managed with overhangs and porches. Avoid properties with dramatic western views – it will be impossible to capitalize on the views while also blocking out the harsh western sun.
3. What type of home to you want? If it’s a sprawling house wrapped around a courtyard, avoid steeply sloping sites. If you want a home with dramatic views, a sloping site is probably going to best accomplish that goal. The best homes are designed to be responsive to the site on which it will be built, so the best homes must start with the right homesite.
Selecting the right homesite is the first critical factor in the process of creating a home that meets your desires and needs in a harmonious and cost-effective manner. Think of it as the true foundation of the building process – this decision will positively or negatively impact the rest of the process.
Rick Burleson, AIA is the principal of Burleson Design Group, an award-winning architectural firm located in Wimberley since 2004. Burleson Design Group specializes in the design of ranch homes and retreats in the Texas Hill Country that are responsive to the client, the climate, and the land.
