Design fundamentals - The Hempcrete Topic: Designing and Building with Hemp-lime - page 523

sun while making full use of the low winter sun by collecting the heat it offers into the
building? Consider the likely orientation and force of the prevailing wind and rain. If these
are of a direction or degree likely to have a detrimental effect on the breathable hempcrete
walls, can this problem be resolved through the siting, orientation or detailing of the build-
ing?
Using natural features on the site
Wherever possible, work 'passively' to make best use of the natural features of the site
that may provide shelter, rather than rushing to the solution of costly and energy-consum-
ing landscaping. Consider the site topography, including slopes, natural banks and existing
mature trees, and site the building accordingly to make the best use of the shelter or shad-
ing they provide. If this shelter is not thought to be sufficient, then add to and enhance nat-
ural features rather than re-landscaping the site. On a completely level site with no mature
trees, design the landscaping and planting in conjunction with the siting and orientation of
the building to provide maximum shelter and shading as appropriate. Wherever possible,
design in the reuse of earth removed during ground works, which will reduce the cost of
both landscaping and 'waste' removal from site.
Learning from the past
Take some time to look around the area in which the building plot lies. Any vernacular
building (by which we mean any traditional house, farm building, village hall or chapel
built before about 1850) was constructed from local, natural materials and was built with
a solid breathable wall (see Chapter 10, page 118 ) . In addition, these buildings were built
with the full benefit of hundreds of years of local knowledge, handed down through gen-
erations, about how to make best use of natural materials within the context of the local
topography and climate. It's probable that the standard of workmanship in these old build-
ings varied dramatically, but those that you can see around you are a self-selecting best of
the bunch, in that they are still standing.
These vernacular buildings have lessons to offer the designer working locally with natural
materials. What decisions were made about the siting and orientation of buildings in the
immediate vicinity of the site? Look for any obvious details that were designed to mitigate
exposure to the weather, such as the west-facing wall on all buildings on one side of a hill
being clad in hung slates to resist driving rain, or significant roof overhangs in areas with
high rainfall, and try to replicate these functions in the detailing of the proposed building.