Class Reflection November 6

During this lecture, the speaker emphasized the importance of the site planning process. Through his lecture I learned that site analysis, documentation, and inventory are critical before building, but even before designing for the site. I enjoyed the speaker's interactive demonstration of slope as well. Before this lecture I did not realize that there are so many important ways a designer must record and understand their site before building. This seems almost like an extension of the relationship I envision between the designer and the client, another point the speaker touched on.
The case studies presented gave important context to the site analysis described by the lecturer. His description of the comfort zone and case study of Zion and Breen's NY park was particularly interesting. All the factors that architecture must consider continue to inspire me, and designing for the comfort of humans, but also of wildlife and the natural landscapes seems essential. Perhaps the key points I took from the lecture was not to build on the best part of a site, and that the built environment should morph and adapt to fit into the context of the natural landscape. These principles are ones that architects like Frank Lloyd Wright were concerned with and I think that they greatly improve the quality the built environment, and those who inhabit them.