Assignment 4

Location and Site

Carmen Ferrer

Carmen Ferrer Week 6 Assignment 4IND 5626 | Professor K. Rothfield | Fall 201310/02/13

Chapter Summary

The process of programming has a few steps that are important to know during the

process of information gathering, just in order to have the perfect amount of information,

avoiding having too much or too little.

The chapter gives two principles that help into "testing the relevance of facts" (pg.119).

First principle is to make sure that the information gathered can help into achieving your goals

and objectives. The second principle is to ask how the designer could use the information.

A programmer has to take into account the value systems, and the accuracy of the information,

these are things that influence the project and could change things around. The data that is

gathered has to be turned into useful information that will only help the programming process to

advance and be accurate.

Facility users will be the most important information that can be gathered, after all they

will be the ones using the building and interacting with it almost every day. This step is known

as "human factor programming or functional programming" (pg. 125) Creating a user profile for

each type of user is the most helpful aspect that makes the programmer organize the information

about the clients and users.

When gathering information about the users, it is also important to know about the social

and organizational networks that tie the users together. It is never good to just assume things by

experience, because it can be wrong and it can lead to the failure of the project.

Projections could be the most difficult to obtain: the future costs, the growth of the staff and

population, etc. These are things that need to be thought of just to meet the future need od space

in the building.

Another important point is the activities that the users will be doing in the facility. When

and where; this way the programmer can have an idea of the hours of operation, the schedules,

the most important activities, and things like this that even though they might appear as

unimportant on the contrary they really important because it helps on the importance that the

designer gives to these spaces that the users use the most and is what really define these spaces

and what make it work.

Site analysis is a key player in programming, because it gives the designer a set of

constraints but also a set of solutions, with which the designer has to play with and find a balance

that will make the facility use the most of the surroundings and this can be found at the synthesis

of the site analysis process. When working on site analysis, the designer has to look at: site

context, legal description, zoning, traffic, utilities, topography, views, built features, soil

conditions, vegetation and wildlife, sensory characteristics, aesthetic qualities, and cultural

implications of the site. All of these together make the designer use the most of the site that the

building is located on.

Other two factors that need to be considered when working in a site that is not familiar to

the designer are the climate and energy. The climate of a site usually is a major part of the design

problems. The energy from the sun at the site is also an important consideration, it can affect the

aesthetics and the amount of artificial energy that a building might use.

Code information is often excluded from the programming set, but if it is included the

designer has to make sure that the design follows and meets the codes of the country that the

facility is being built on.

Programming is a process that has to be done through, in order to not miss any important

details that can affect the design. The designer has to decide when the information is relevant to

the project or not, and in which way it can be used. Programming is the first phase of design and

it has to be properly executed for the project to be a complete success.

Political Organization

Costa Rica is a country with a Democratic political system. Almost like the US is divided into

three branches to divide the powers, having a legislative, executive and judicial branch. The

administrative divisions in Costa Rica consist of 7 provinces that include: San Jose, Alajuela,

Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, and Limon. These provinces are then further divided

into different cantones.

There are presidential and legislative elections every four years. This country has a multi-party

system with around thirteen parties. The main three political parties are the Social Christian

Unity Party (PUSC), the National Liberation Party (PLN), and the Citizen Action Party (PAC);

the PLN and The PUSC hold 97% of the votes.

The city of Nosara is communal, it seems to have a strong tie among its residents. Most of the

residents of the area strive for the same goals which are preserve the natural environment, being

sustainable, and create projects that benefit the community.

Design Guidelines

Create a sustainable design

Incorporate nature in the design and blend in with the site

Create spaces that can be used by the community

The Economic Environment/Support

Costa Rica is known as the "Switzerland of Central America" and is because of the stable

economy, democratic government, and peaceful society with no need for a military that it has

earned this name.

The economy of Costa Rica depends mainly on tourism, agriculture, real estate, investment and

business, commodity and electronics manufacturing and trading industries. It has a good

transportation system and a very well developed banking system.

The City of Nosara is well known for its real estate, many of the properties in that area belong to

North Americas, that's what gave the opportunity for the American Project to develop, which has

improved the area economically and aesthetically. It also depends on tourism, many people

travel for surfing and to attend to the Yoga and Wellness centers located in the area.

Design Guidelines

Make the facility for the use of all the residents and possible foreign visitors.

Have an educational systems for the users of the space about the surroundings business

that can be of use to them.

Use local resources for the construction and maintenance of the facility.

The Cultural and Social Underpinning

The people of Costa Rica call themselves "Ticos" and are known to be welcoming and friendly.

Their culture is vibrant and well influenced by the Roman Catholic Church. Spanish is the main

language but English is widely spoken along the Caribbean Coast and among the younger

population.

In Nosara there is a wide population of North Americans that own mainly residential properties,

but there are also the population of the Ticos. This city is a communal city, where many

activities are created for the community and for the entertainment of the tourists. There are some

Universities close to it, but unfortunately it doesn't have a hospital close to the area. Mainly it has

wellness and yoga centers. It is a good chance to incorporate a healthcare facility that even

though is not a hospital it can provide the community with services that can be really

appreciated. There have been programs (and still are) of internships for physical therapists that

travel to this area to offer free services, and the communities do take advantage of this.

Design Guidelines

Provide accommodations for different cultural types.

Provide educational services about the importance of physical therapy for the wellbeing

of a person.

Provide accommodations for different time of stay (foreign patients, or local).

Create an inviting atmosphere for those who are just passing through and want to take a

peek, in order to promote the services.

The Geographic Characteristics

Costa Rica has 51,100 sq. km, and is the second smallest Central American country. It is a

mountainous country, located between the Caribbean Sea to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the

West. It is positioned on the Central American Isthmus 10˚ North of the Equator and 84˚ West of

the Prime Meridian. It borders Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the North.

Nosara is located in Guanacaste in the Peninsula of Nicoya along the Pacific Coast. The Pacific

Coastline is characterized by its lagoons, the hills and high cliffs that reach into the sea, the tidal

variations, the beautiful rain forest and also the dry forest to the north. Costa Rica is also known

for its mountains; the Cordillera de Guanacaste is the most northwestern mountain range, it

consists of an amazing chain of volcanoes.

Design Guidelines

Consider seismic movement for architectural structure.

Use solar energy for illuminations source during the day

Take advantage of wind currents for ventilation on possible outside areas.

The Architecture of the Area

The architecture of this area uses natural materials. Architects are trying to create sustainable

designs to promote sustainability and to blend in the architecture with the sites. Wood and stones

are just main materials that can be seen in the structures, and also the use of wide glass windows

to take advantage of the sun. There can also be seen traditional architecture where gable roofs

and ionic columns can be seen in the facades. This region, and the country in general, is

modernizing really fast, so new designs can be spotted in that zone.

Design Guidelines

Sustainable design (architecture and interior).

Modern design, it has to be similar to the resorts around the area to make the users feel

like they are in a resort not a healthcare facility

The Decision of the Actual Site

Site Analysis :

Site Context: Apdo 97, 5233 Nosara, Costa Rica

The city of Nosara is located in the Province of Ganacaste, Costa Rica. It is a few kilometers off

the pacific coast and with directly adjacent to Playa Pelada. It is surrounded with Resorts, private

Ranchos, and the houses of locals. There are a few universities and national parks around the

area.

Fig 1: Site located on the city of Nosara (satelite view). Image from Google Maps.

Fig 2: Map view of site (closer view to surroundings and traffic). Image from Google Maps.

Zoning

The area is not very highly populated for what it can be observed in the maps, but cities that are

close to the coast are usually this way in Central America.

Traffic

One of the main roads passes real close to the site which gives good access for cars and busses.

There is also an airport in the main city which gives opportunity for travelers in seek of this

service offered at the center to travel by airplane.

Topography

The topography of the region usually that consists of gentle slopes, flatlands, and steep ocean view

points. What happens with this is that it allows to the development of both ocean view and mountain

view lots.

Fig.3: View of Topography. Image from Google Maps.

Views

Most of the views of this are to natural landscapes. There can also be properties spotted, either of

resorts, or house owners. The images provided below are some of the views that can be seen

around the area (Fig4-7, from left to right).

Fig.4: Satelite view with Images. Image from Google Maps.

Fig.5: Playa Pelada. Image from Google Maps

Fig.6: Street view of business or residential site. Image from Google Maps.

Fig.7: Front view of chosen site. Image from Google Maps.

Built Features

The benefits of this site is the nature that surrounds it. Typically nature is linked to the

improvement of people's health, so for this typology is a good place to have the facility. There is

ample space at the site to have a good design and to add things that might be needed for the

visitors and attendees, like parking lots.

Soil Conditions

The soil conditions of this city re mainly good for cattle pasture, some deforestation occurred but

the landowners of the area made sure to reforest the area again to keep the beauty. Nosara is

considered one of the green zones of greatest beauty in all of Costa Rica.  It has thick rich forest

which grows in areas that were once razed to benefit the cattle.  An American Project, which

includes lots of land in the northern end of Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada and some of the hills, is

a good example of responsible planning and development.  There is a large number of homes

that exist in the area, but the first time a visitor gets there he can still feel isolation and surround

himself with a untouched tropical environment.

Vegetation and Wildlife

There is a wildlife refuge close to this city, but still the residents have made sure to keep the

natural environment safe trying to avoid unnecessary development and being careful of what is

built around the area. Parrots, armadillos, monkeys and toucans are just some of the animals that

have been spotted in the area.

Sensory Characteristics

This city is mainly residential but it also has resorts, so noise wouldn't be a problem, not to

mention that the properties are not next to each other, there is always land surrounding them.

Mostly what would be heard is the sound of the animals, and the wind moving the vegetation.

Aesthetic Qualities

Some of the aesthetic qualities for this area are:

Nature : forests, beaches, and rivers.

Cultural elements of the natives

Tourist locations

Cultural Implications

The city is a mixture of natives and northern Americans who own land there, so is a constant

exchange of cultures. It also has to be taken into account that is a tourist destination, many young

people go for surfing at Nosara beaches.

Site Section Criteria

The surroundings need to have a stable walking setting for the future users.

Needs to be known by all the locals, and surrounding cities (more visible to some extent).

Open to the use of all the residents and travelers.

Surrounded by nature.

Climate

Nosara has a tropical weather condition. The summer months are the hottest for this city,

sometimes reaching temperatures of 90 degrees. From the month of May to the month of October

is when it rains the most accumulating up to more than 200 mm of water.

Fig.8: Nosara Average Wheather by Month.

Fig.9: Nosara average tempareture.

Fig.10: Nosara climate.

Solar Data

Fig.11: Sun trajectory on map view.

Fig.12: Sun trajectory on satellite view in the Peninsula of Nicoya.

Design Guidelines

Integrate the architecture with the environment.

Make more visibly to the by passers to make them interested and promote the facility.

Take into account the wildlife and prevent endangering it.

Create a good landscape design that can improve the site.

Create good relationships with the surrounding businesses.

Promote wellness through the design.

References

Costa Rica Information. http://costarica-information.com/about-costa-rica/politics-and-government/political-structure-1

Meoweather. http://www.meoweather.com/history/Costa%20Rica/na/9.9833333/-85.65/Nosara.html

Nosara Land. http://www.nosaraland.com/nosara-land-topography

Nosara. http://www.nosara.com/about_nosara.htm

Physical Therapy Internships. http://worldendeavors.com/programs/intern/physical-therapy-internships

Planetwear. http://www.planetware.com/costa-rica/nosara-crc-gu-no.htm

Zoover Weather. http://www.zoover.com/costa-rica/costa-rica/nosara/weather

Fig.11-12. http://suncalc.net/#/9.9833,-85.65,9/2013.10.02/09:23