T
he significance of drainage systems
for housing projects is not always a
key design priority for architects.
Despite this, there is an opportunity to
harness this unconsidered element, through
both a choice of material and the type of
drainage system, which can add aesthetic
value to a house design.
For example, the first thing any developer
or builder, and therefore architect, should
think about when designing a drainage
system for a housing development is where
the rainwater will flow. When you’re
focusing on driveways and paved areas, for
example, you need to be aware of the falls
on-site and account for channels
accordingly. As for doorways and patio
areas, threshold drainage is required.
Channel depths are also a factor to
consider. Some building sites have
restrictions as to the depth of the channel
system, which would rule out certain
channel sizes. Deeper channels are
recommended, especially for driveways,
but if that’s not possible systems, can
be widened to ensure the necessary volume
is provided.Can drainage systems impact the
design of a new build?
One of the first challenges for many
architects when working on a domestic
project is how a quality finish will be
achieved for all aspects of the works,External channel drainage systems can often be an overlooked factor in many projects,
says William Poynter of ACO Water Management, explaining why architects should
consider the aesthetic benefits of different options while addressing practical challenges
The aesthetics of channel
drainage for homes
One of the first challenges
for many architects when
working on a domestic
project is how a quality
finish will be achieved for
all aspects of the works,
including drainageGROUNDWORKS & DRAINAGE 45ADF AUGUST 2019 WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK