Factors that affect design

1. Surroundings

(i) Natural surroundings
e.g. trees, forests, reserves, reservoirs, rivers, temperature

It affects the design because if building is located in a hot place, it's suitable to install air-conditioning in the building. Likewise, if it is located in a cold place, heaters should be installed. The geography of the location also affects the design because if the ground is too soft to build a structure on, the building should not be built there.

(ii) Artificial surroundings
e.g. buildings, roads, other structures

It affects the design because it must be in-sync with the other buildings around it. For example, it would be inappropriate to build a skyscraper near the airport.

2. Target audience

It affects the design because the functionality of the structure is dependent on who the design is targeted at. For example, if the target audience of a design is the elderly, the design has to be able to meet the needs of the elderly.

3. Cost

The budget affects the limitations and restrictions of the building.

4. Rules and regulations

Rules and regulations affect the design because the government sets up certain rules to ensure safety in buildings, so this might hinder the full potential of the design.

5. Sustainability

A building should be able to last in the long run. Designers must think about how to make it sustain for a long time (and overcome natural occurrences like prolonged exposure to rain). They must also think about environmental friendliness.