Site Selection

• Fill in notes from The Natural House and Hand Sculpted House

choosing site to tour

• Consider the bioregion.
• Consider possible changes to the neighborhood in the future: airport, roadways, new high rises, etc.
• Relatively flat is best for cob/straw-bale
  • South slope for earth shelter would probably mean tires? (cob/straw-bale incompatible with berming)

touring a site

surrounding area

• Try to walk/bike/drive surrounding roads: how does the daily approach to the property feel?
• Walk the boundary
• Talk to neighbors about their plans and how they feel about you building.
• Ask local planning department:
  • plans to change zoning?
  • widen roads?

the land itself

• Climb to the highest point: what are the longest views like? (these are unchangeable)
  • Smell?
  • Noise?
• History of manufacturing or agriculture? Test the soil!