A Fragment of the Generative Code for Neighborhoods
a hand-drawn site plan


Example 1: A hand-drawn base map


Example 2: A base map downloaded from the web


Example 3: A base map made by a surveyor


Example 4: A more elaborate base map made by one of our clients

WHY YOU NEED A BASE MAP

In order to achieve a successful unfolding of your neighborhood design, you will in due course need to make a sequence of drawings, each defining one aspect of the whole, as it unfolds. These drawings will need to be made on a semi-accurate base map that is roughly to scale. To get such a map, you can draw it yourself, or get it off the web, or have someone make it for you. You may get such a map (1) by sketching a rough freehand map by yourself, (2) downloading or copying an aerial photo or a map of the area from the internet, or (3) having the land surveyed professionally. You can also use these different approaches in combination.

If you have no other way to do it, at the very least make a rough pencil sketch of the land on an ordinary sheet of paper, take it to Kinkos or any other place with a scanner, and have them make a jpg of it. Then you can use the physical sketch as an underlay of your work, and use the jpg in your computer.


WHAT NEEDS TO BE ON THE DRAWING

Here are the things you need on your drawing.

  • The drawing should be made at 1:200 scale, or 1/16th inch to a foot.
  • On an A4 sheet, at this scale you will have room for a piece of land about 200 feet long and 150 feet wide. If your land is bigger, draw it at a smaller scale.
  • You must put a scale on the drawing, so you always know how big the things are, that you are drawing.
  • It should include buildings, and physically built features on the site.
  • It should include major trees with trunk position, including the approximate size and position of the crown.
  • It should include existing paths and driveways.

    EXAMPLE (1) SKETCHING IT YOURSELF

    If you look at the frist example Here are the things you need.

  • The drawing should be made at 1:200 scale, or 1/16th inch to a foot.
  • It should include buildings, and physically built features on the site.
  • It should include major trees with trunk position, including the approximate size and position of the crown.
  • It should include existing paths and driveways.

    EXAMPLE (2) DOWNLOADING OR COPYING AN AERIAL PHOTO OR A MAP FROM THE INTERNET

    Here are the things you need.

  • The drawing should be made at 1:200 scale, or 1/16th inch to a foot.
  • It should include buildings, and physically built features on the site.
  • It should include major trees with trunk position, including the approximate size and position of the crown.
  • It should include existing paths and driveways.

    EXAMPLE (3) HAVING A SURVEYOR DO IT

    It is not always easy to get this kind of map from a surveyor, since the items which should be present are very specific, and not typical. Here are the things you need to ask for.

  • The drawing should be made at 1:200 scale, or 1/16th inch to a foot.
  • It should include buildings, huts, and physical built features on the site.
  • It should include all trees with trunk position and tree type, including the approximate size and position of the crown.
  • It should include all existing paths and driveways.
  • Contours should be shown at 2 foot intervals, and steps and ramps should be shown.

    Some of these items may be charged at what seems to you an unnecessary amount, so before starting you should negotiate the total price of the survey and make it reasonable in price while giving you the essentials. An "essential" is any feature which is likely to play a physical role in the layout you make, and must be known in regard to size and position. You can save money by simply missing out the minor features which are unlikely to enter in to your design.

    A FEW IMPORTANT DETAILS

  • Ask for the drawing to be provided as a computer file.
  • Ask for one version to include the contours and another without the contours.
  • Ask for one print at full size 1:200.
  • Ask for another file which allows you to print the whole thing out on an A4 or American 8.5 x 11 sheet, with a graphic scale. A small, accurately scaled sheet like this is invaluable for drawing the result of a diagnosis, of a possible arrangement of house positions, or later more refined steps of unfolding.


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    a hand-drawn site plan
    a hand-drawn site plan
    example of a hand-drawn site plan
    example of a hand-drawn site plan