Base mapping

Base MappingCraig Santicola

Base Mapping Process

First I tried Google Maps but I felt a slight disconnect to the process since I was simply tracing.

It took a while to get used to the scale and ruler.

After looking at my finished map, I decided to actually measure the property and enlisted the help of my wife.

Borrowed a 100ft tape measure from my neighbor and got to work.

Base Mapping Process

We started by measuring the perimeter of the property and then the house.

Once we were sure these were correct, we measured the other permanent items on the property – driveway, sidewalk, landscaping, trees, garden, shed, and woodpile.

We adopted the phase, “measure thrice, draw once!”

The end result was pretty close to the tracing of the Google map.

Base Mapping ProcessThe final product after I added the landscaping around the

house, the downspouts, and water access.

Base Mapping Challenges

The biggest challenge I faced was measuring. I missed several items at first and had to go back and add them. This also meant that I had to recheck all of my other measurements…just to make sure.

Once I had the measurements, I starting drawing the base map. While sometimes frustrating because I am not an artist, it only took 2 attempts.

SectorsAfter reading the text, I have identified the following sectors:

SW Winds

Neighborhood Noise

Wildlife/Animals

Pollution

Yard Treatments of Neighbors

Storms/Rain

Snow

Slope of Property

What has this exercise

revealed?I think the biggest thing that was revealed was

how much space I actually have to work with.

Also, looking at the base map and taking into

account the information in the text on sectors, it got me thinking about how

the sectors influence my location and how I can minimize the negative while maximizing the

positive ones.

How I feel About My Site?

While I learned a lot about my site and how there is more space than I originally thought, I also realized that this is not my ideal location.

We currently live on a .4-ish of an acre. However, my wife and I are looking for a larger space, around 5 – 10 acres.

Overall, I liked the base mapping process and look forward to expanding upon it in upcoming modules.