(note...mar, 04...this document was outlined at the preparation of text in 1999 for the original natural homes #101 course and never completed...see the video of that course for discussion of the principles outlined here)

Site Survey-the first thing to do with a new piece of land is get it on paper to scale...solar orientation,

contours, vegetation, trees, view corridors, waterways, access, geologic hazards.

Live on the Land until you know it- a year on the land before you design can teach you a lot.

Microclimates-even small parcels of land have places where you want to be and ones where you don't.

drafting assistance/ equipment

designers, architects, consultants, engineers

Programing-a good design doesn't start with drawings, it starts with statements, needs and logistics

written down in a verbal form to help those involved with the project communicate.

Bubble Diagrams-help to think through and layout the functions and locations for a house before you

begin to design it...they work as a visual check list to form the basis for the design.

Feng Shui-ancient subtle energy considerations can provide surprising results in design.

Geomancy

Space layout/distribution- working with the bubble diagrams to get the flow/function right.

Space Efficiency- the best thing we can do is live in smaller spaces..for ourselves and the environment.

Solar Access/ Orientation- horizons, vegetation shading, south facing windows, changing seasons.

Suntracking room/function arrangements-put living spaces in the sunlight they need.

Mass/ glazing plan-overglazing-plan mass locations early...watch out for too much south glass.

Catchment Roof Planning-successful water catchment demands roof and storage planning

by use zones.

Berming-earth sheltering (when possible) saves on energy and view impacts.

Daylighting-it's tricky and has to be integrated into the design early in planning.

Grow spaces- central to the house, but isolated to allow temperature swings.

Wind protected/ exterior passive solar spaces-exterior patio spaces with mass walls protected

from seasonal winds can extend fall and spring outside use a month each direction.

Clearstory Systems- allow light and solar gain back into the north side of the structure.

Preliminary plans-bringing the systems, flow, bubble diagram and site information all together.

construction drawings-final stage of design...all systems are known and allowed for.

Mocking Systems up before you Build them- a good technique is to build a makeshift system

and see how it works...finetune it before investing in the permanent one.

Phased Construction--"have the big plan before you start"-building a big house one room at

a time is a good approach for people on budgets, or wanting to do it themselves...but before you

start it's smart to have the whole house plan down on paper...keeps from building yourself into a

corner.

Bibliography- (note, mar 04) a separate, comprehensive bibliography is found in the resource files...also see the Smart Shelter Cumulo Nimbus Library for resources.