When locating a building on a site, what is a recommended practice?

When locating a building on a site, a recommended practice is to orient the building with respect to topography to minimize grading. This approach is important because grading can significantly affect the overall design, cost, and environmental impact of the construction project. Minimizing grading is beneficial for several reasons: it preserves the natural contours of the land, reduces soil erosion, and maintains local habitats. Additionally, aligning the building with the topography can enhance aesthetics and functionality, providing a more harmonious integration with the landscape.

Considering the context of the other options, placing a building on a virgin site solely for optimal views may ignore existing ecological or environmental considerations. Positioning the building at the furthest point from site entry could hinder accessibility and decrease convenience for users. Building to the maximum allowed height just for visibility may lead to adverse effects on the surrounding landscape and violate local zoning or height restrictions, as well as potentially create conflicts with neighboring properties. Thus, the practice of orienting the building in tune with the site’s natural topography stands out as the most environmentally sound and pragmatically beneficial approach.