One of the most fundamental tasks of architecture is to determine where (and if!) a building should be placed onto the site. In deciding where exactly to build, we commit to the construction of an extremely permanent feature of the landscape, community, and property. At the very least, we should aim to have a neutral impact on soils, hydrology, habitat, microclimate, and social fabric… and at best, hope to vastly improve them. A home that’s built in the wrong place will face a greater pull toward disrepair, consume more energy, and be far less functional throughout the year than a home sited appropriately.
Not surprisingly, the rigors of a cold and coastal climate have unique implications for site planning. Materials weather rapidly, usage patterns vary significantly across the seasons, and the combined effects of wind, snow, ice, and salt require thoughtful planning from the detail scale out to the site as a whole.
As we begin the late winter thaw in March of 2025, here are a handful of tidbits which we’ve been reflecting upon lately:
1. Plan for the snow! After a significant amount of snowfall, snow is often plowed or shoveled into extremely inconvenient and unsafe places. If at all possible, propose a driveway and entry sequence design which would allow for a plow truck to push snow flower beds. All too often we see homes and garage oriented in ways which do not allow adequate plow maneuverability, or create enclosed corners which become mounds of ice that can eat away at building siding or create slipping hazards. This may seem like an afterthought in the warmer months, but after several feet of February snowfall the effects of thoughtful snow storage design become extremely apparent!
2. Take advantage of the microclimates created by your home. In northern New England, a sunny and wind-free south-facing microclimate can make a crisp afternoon in March feel like one in late May or early June. When you have an option to be outside for that weekly conference call, instead of being stuck indoors at your desk, you’ll be thankful for the gentle bubble of heat which is formed in some sheltered, south-facing spaces . Thomas Hubka elaborates upon this in the well-known “Big House, Back House, Little House, Barn,” where he discusses the origins of the historic connected farmhouses typical of rural New England. While the context may have changed since many of these structures were built hundreds of years ago, the principles are still just as relevant.
3. On sloping terrain, flat spots are precious. While the instinct can be to place a new building or home on the only level bench of terrain on an otherwise hilly site, consider what other programming may want to take place there… and what winter maintenance it will require! Buildings can be built embedded into a hillside quite easily, whereas creating new, flat terrain is an extremely intensive and impactful move from a resources perspective. Additionally, you’ll be thankful for some level walking surfaces as you shovel your way out of the snow, or navigate an icy walkway around the house.
4. Most of us are at least a little bit lazy, especially when it’s 35 degrees and raining outside. Our sense of proximity on site - between the mudroom and garage, kitchen and garden, patio and lawn - is extremely malleable and is dependent upon the season and the weather. While running out to the compost bin behind the garage may feel effortless and enjoyable in July, it may become an annoyance when everything is covered in ice and snow (...even to the point that it may not even happen sometimes). In general, when it comes to the relative location of the day-to-day necessities on site, the closer to the home the better.
We’ll plan to chime in with more thoughts in the coming weeks and months. Until then, please feel free to send us a message if you’re interested in chatting about any of this stuff, or you have any questions!
Jordan