A1.1: Base Map
This is your first rough draft map for a design site. For this assignment, think "first draft" and look forward to getting feedback as you continue to grow your skills in this course.
Before we can create a base map, we need to have a design site in mind. For many assignments, you will apply what you learn in the class towards designing this self-selected site.
Design site selection:
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Easily accessible to you (ideally within a reasonable travel distance from your daily or weekly routine).
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The site has potential for designing human food/plant systems, ie, access to sunlight, water, and soil. Your design may incorporate elements such as those found in an urban farm or rooftop garden.
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Ideally, this will be the site you continue to design in later exercises fully. If you change your mind later, you will need to make other base maps, but you will be practiced at that time, and it will come easier.
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A backyard is a common focus of design, but you must include the whole property on your base map.
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Farms and remote wilderness properties are great choices. Some assignments do require direct observation of your project site, but if travel is prohibitive, a more local site can serve as a substitute for those exercises.
Please email your instructor mji33@cornell.edu if you are having any trouble finding a site to use for your design project.
For this assignment, you must submit three maps. Use your slideshow.
INSTRUCTIONS AND DEMONSTRATION STEP BY STEP FOR BEGINNERS
Map 1: Show the property boundaries.
Even if you are designing only a portion of it, we want to see the entire property outline.
If you are unclear of your property boundaries, refer to:
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https://www.acrevalue.com/ (Free for first-time users). Search your address. On the bottom left corner, change from "Hybrid" to "Map".
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Google search "[Your state/county/province/country] + tax maps"
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Google search "[Your state/county/province/country] + soil and water office"
Map 2: Satellite image of your property.
You can use Google Maps or Google Earth for this
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Open Google Maps
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Type in your address and hit search
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Look for the “Layers” symbol where it says "More":
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Select “Satellite”
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Take a screenshot of your site in a bird's eye view (from above). Paste this screenshot to your slideshow.
Map 3: Base Map.
There are two ways to do this: digitally or hand-drawn.
Hand-Drawn Maps:
- Should be outlined in pen or fine tip Sharpie for clarity.
- Black and white maps
- Key legends should be numbers or letters.
E.g.: H for House. B for Barn. C for Chicken Coop OR 1 for Pond, 2 for Garage, 3 for Greenhouse, etc.
Materials needed. All of these should be easy to find:
- Large white drawing paper (Poster size! At least 16.5 x 23.4 inches or 18 x 24 inches)
- Pencils (#2 or mechanical)
- Marker for outlining (fine tip)
- Eraser
- Ruler (12-inch or 18-inch for longer measurements)
- Compass
Once your base map is ready, take a high-resolution picture of it, ensuring good lighting conditions. Add the image to your slideshow. Video tutorial on how to add images to a slideshow.
Digital Maps:
For this exercise, we recommend using Google Slides.
Alternatively, Powerpoint, Photoshop, or any other drawing software may be used.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR A STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL - EASY FOR BEGINNERS
CHECKLIST! ALL BASE MAPS MUST INCLUDE:
- Site Name:
- Site Address:
- Designer's Name:
- Property owner(s) (If not you)
- Date:
- Scale:
- Compass rose indicating North
- Existing PERMANENT structures currently on site
- Key Legend (label all your structures)
Examples of permanent structures:
- Buildings: Houses, barns, garages, greenhouses (permanent)
- Hardscape: Driveways, sidewalks, gates.
- Utilities: Water tanks (fixed), wells, septic systems, wind turbines, solar panel arrays (fixed), and electrical poles.
- Foundational Infrastructure: bridges, culverts, irrigation channels (permanent).
- Animal Shelters: Stables, animal barns, etc
If it won't be on your site for at least +5 years, it is not a permanent structure and should not be included on your map.
Additional Notes:
- Focus only on existing, permanent features on the site. Do not add plans or proposed designs.
- Ensure your map covers the entire property without focusing on one area.
- Double-check your work for completeness and clarity before submitting.
Submission Instructions:
- Paste your slideshow link below.
- Click "Save Changes"