Building Design Factors That Ensure Sustainability of Building - Term Paper Example

There are a number of factors that influence the way a house is designed. The main factors that influence the architectural and structural design of a residential or commercial house include the client, The intended use of the housing project, climatic conditions of the area, the geographical appearance of the site, building technology readily available, regulations put by the relevant authorities on constructions, safety, and sustainability, the overall cost of the development and the time schedule (DinçEr & Zamfirescu 2011).

The client requiring development comes up with the basic specifications of a building which includes the plan and the budget. These basic specifications are what the developers use to determine the rest of the factors. For example, the building material to be used should be within the budget. Even with the clients’ requirements, the architecture will still have to determine how the client's requirements fit within the community norms and concerns like the neighbors and public officials.

Each local setting also has set codes and regulations that should be adhered to such as minimal land use, environmental factors such as air and water pollution, and light zoning. The site of the building will depend on factors as topography, ecological features, drainage, and accessibility. Funds allocated to the project and the timeline also have a great influence on the final project. For example, the developers will opt to use the locally available construction material so as not to exceed the project budget.

Context, climate alongside sustainability of the project is key. According to DinçEr & Zamfirescu (2011), the climate of the construction site plays a major role in choosing the materials, colors, design of the construction, and in the identification of areas of emphasis. The climate-related factors affecting constructions include the nature of regional microclimates defined by humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, temperatures, and wind strength and directions. All the above-mentioned factors in conjunction with sustainability are the basis of discussion in this paper.