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Where to build on your land?
Tiny Insights for building naturally, building beautifully.
No.072 — Read old posts on Tinyfarmlab.com
Reading Time 5 minutes
Choosing where to build is the most important decision you'll make—
and it should come before you start designing your home.
A building shouldn't feel like it's been placed on the land.
It should feel like it grew out of it.
The site is the architect, not you.
Your job is to listen.
Understand Your Land
Before making decisions, spend time on the land.
Walk it.
Sit on it.
Meditate with open eyes.
Do this at different times of day,
indifferent weather.
Use all your senses.
The land will speak to you—
if you let it.
Notice where you're drawn to.
Is it the shade of a tree?
The shelter of a hill?
A spot near a pond?
Ask yourself:
If you just walked up to the land and you had to build a shelter overnight,
where would you go?
Often, your instincts will guide you.
You might feel safer near:
Natural windbreaks like trees or rocks.
A sunny spot with some shade.
Slightly higher ground, safe from floods but close to water.
See the Bigger Picture
Even if you're building one structure now, think about the future.
Where will you place gardens, ponds, or other buildings?
Where will services like soak pits or water tanks go?
What parts of the land should stay wild?
Use the Land’s Systems
Work with the land, not against it.
For example:
Digging soil for construction? Use that pit as a future pond.
That pond can store water and support life, like ducks or fish.
Observe, then integrate.
Permaculture Principles
Use permaculture principles to refine your choice.
For help, take a Permaculture design course or consult Bill Mollison's Permaculture: A Designer's Manual or take the help of a permaculture designer to help you assess the land holistically, considering elements like:
Use principles like:
Zones and Sectors:
Place high-activity areas (like your home) close to gardens and water.
Map wind, sunlight, and water flow to protect and maximize efficiency.
Contours and Slopes:
Build on natural slopes to avoid costly excavation.
Avoid low-lying, flood-prone areas.
Natural Resources:
Orient your home to capture sunlight and rainwater.
Use existing trees for shade and wind protection.
Respect Ecosystems:
Don’t clear thriving vegetation unnecessarily.
Use features like rocks and trees as part of your design.
Practical Mapping Tips
For small sites, create your own map:
Mark points with wooden or bamboo poles (label them A, B, C).
Measure distances between points.
Use triangulation to confirm accuracy.
From a fixed point (e.g., A), draw arcs on paper with the measured distances to two other points (e.g., B and C).
Where the arcs intersect is the accurate location of the third point on the map.
Draw a scaled map, noting natural features and areas of interest.
For larger sites, hire professionals to survey contours, vegetation, and utilities.
Overlay maps to identify ideal building locations that:
Minimize environmental disruption.
Maximize convenience and practicality
SWOT Analysis
To refine your choice, analyze the site:
Strengths: What’s great about it? (Views, sunlight, water access).
Weaknesses: What are the challenges? (Steep slopes, poor soil).
Opportunities: How can you work with natural features?
Threats: What risks exist? (Flooding, erosion, forest fires, habitat loss).
Additional Considerations
Check Drainage and Subsoil:
Dig test pits to assess the soil. Avoid swampy or flood-prone areas.Observe the Microclimate:
Ensure winter sun hits south-facing walls (Northern Hemisphere).
Consider wind and rain directions.
Trees:
Use trees for shade or wind protection.
Prune south-facing trees in winter to allow sunlight.
Views and Anchoring:
Choose sites with long horizon views.
Anchor your building to natural features like trees or rocks.
Slopes and Terraces:
Build on slopes for better views and drainage.
Use terraces for agriculture or outdoor spaces.
Live on the Land First
If possible, live on the site for a while—or observe it through all seasons.
Each visit will teach you something new.
Take your time.
The land is always speaking.
All you need to do is listen.
Love,
Raghav and Ansh
PS: We share daily tips and insights on LinkedIn about cob, natural homes, and sustainable living. Follow us or connect with us to join the conversation!
What you can watch - How to buy land for your dream life?
What you can listen to - How this couple built a slow life in the Himalayas
What You Can Read - Permaculture: A Designer's Manual
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