Course Overview
This course introduces key planning concepts in designing site-responsive buildings, with an emphasis on sustainable development. The first half explores how climate and site conditions shape building form through passive strategies for energy, water conservation, and human comfort. The second half focuses on space planning within the site context, addressing functional layout and integration with site features. Students apply the design process—analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and resolution—to a building design problem. The course also covers municipal policies and their impact on building development, including zoning, tree and parking by-laws, and the development permit process, with a focus on a city in the Greater Vancouver area.
Prerequisite(s)
Credits
4.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the impact that buildings and construction have on the environment and explain ways that these impacts can be reduced.
- Describe the principles of sustainable development and identify attributes of a "green" building.
- Evaluate the factors from the natural and built environments, including climate and context, which impact and shape a building's schematic layout and form.
- Apply appropriate passive building strategies that respond to climate and promote energy conservation, that preserve and enhance the site
- Describe and interpret municipal regulations and requirements that govern property development.
- Prepare a graphic analysis of zoning regulations for a residential property.
- Apply the "design process" as an approach to developing thoughtful, creative, and responsible solutions to practical site, zoning, and building design problems.
- Develop and draw a workable design solution to a residential planning problem.
- Prepare design diagrams, sketches, and finished drawings using the graphic tools and language of the industry.
Effective as of Fall 2025
Related Programs
Site-Responsive Planning and Design (BLDG 2002) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Architectural and Building Technology
Diploma Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.