Environmental Sensitivity

Land Planning
Seawright makes land use and land planning architectural decisions based on the combined principles of “Less is More” and “Design With Nature”:
- Less disturbance of a site’s pre-building vegetative features by conscious choice, which in turn yields more visual aesthetics, capacity for mature vegetation to process carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air, more food and shelter for wildlife, more shade and protection from the elements for the homes of community residents and the potential for more property appreciation.
- Less disturbance of a site’s existing topography yields a community aesthetic and streetscape that is natural and organic, imparting sense of place and uniqueness that is indispensable to community.
- Less disturbance to pre-construction site topography promotes more diversity in architectural design, which we commission site-specifically for each community to ensure that home designs fit and blend into the land, rather than represent an imposing or alien presence on the land. Site-specific architecture is viewed as indispensable for minimizing site disturbance, maximizing retention of natural features and mature vegetation and for providing character for homes and community.
- Spending less for mass clearing and grading results in more resources being available for development of streetscape aesthetics, which combine consistently applied exterior architectural design principles and details, along with an overarching landscape design master plan.
- Commissioning original architecture that is focused on providing homes that are right-sized to meet more needs while utilizing less space and that are highly adaptable in how individual spaces can be utilized results in less consumptive of materials to construct and more saving of energy and water to operate. We have found that home designs and streetscapes built upon the time-tested design principles are more supportive of preservation and enhancement of individual home and neighborhood property values.





