Agriculture
Forest Service
FS-710
September 2001
The Built Environment Image Guide
FOR THE NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS
The built environment, as used in this guide, refers to the administrative and recreation buildings, landscape structures, site furnishings, structures on roads and trails, and signs installed or operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Forest Service, its cooperators, and permittees.
The elements of the built environment constructed on national forest lands and grasslands, or those used for administrative purposes in rural areas, towns, and cities, shall—to the extent practicable—incorporate the principles of sustainability, reflect their place within the natural and cultural landscape, and provide optimal service to our customers and cooperators.
These elements will:
• Be located, planned, and designed with respect for the natural systems in which they reside.
• Aesthetically integrate their natural, cultural, and experiential context.
• Contain design elements, including appropriate signs, that reinforce a national agency identity.
• Emphasize efficiency of energy and materials consumption in construction and operation.
• Serve as premier examples to interpret conservation of natural resources and sustainable development.
• Create environments for people to enjoy and gain increased appreciation for the natural environment,
and in which employees work productively, experiencing the connection to the resources they manage.
In so doing, the USDA Forest Service built environment will strengthen and reinforce the image of the agency as an international conservation leader.
The Built Environment Image Guide can be read in different ways, depending on how, and by whom it will be applied.
The following will aid the reader in selecting the sections most applicable to their needs.
Chapter 1 - Image and the Built Environment.
Establishes the Intent of the guide, why it is needed, and describes common applications. Outlines major elements of a positive image to motivate those involved in facility management to utilize the guide. The primary audience is everyone involved in authorizing, planning, designing, operating, and maintaining facilities.
Chapter 2 - Origins of the National Forest Built Environment.
An overview of influences on and traditions of Forest Service facility design from early park design through the CCC era to present-day environmental considerations to enhance understanding of the origins of Forest Service design traditions and appreciation for contributions of design to agency image.
The primary audience is project sponsors (Forest Service line officers, permittees, and partners) and designers (engineers, landscape architects, and architects).
Chapter 3 - The Sustainable Image: Responses to Context.
Explanations of the primary components of context that drive design—ecological, cultural, and economic—and an overview of the design process to ensure thorough consideration of the primary components in the site-specific design of facilities.
The primary audience is project designers, both internal and external.
Chapter 4 - Architectural Character Guidelines for the Nation and the Provinces.
Regional Architectural Character Types that incorporate the components of context are illustrated for a range of facility types and settings.
The purpose is to provide graphic examples of the regional character types to be incorporated in all built environment designs.
The primary audience is everyone involved in authorizing, planning, designing, operating, and maintaining facilities.
Chapter 5 - Integrating Architectural Character With the Facility Management Process.
The sequence of planning, design, operations, maintenance, and deconstruction of facilities, along with roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in developing and maintaining them to enhance understanding of relationships and roles, along with appreciation for each participant’s contributions to creating and maintaining an appropriate facility image.
The primary audience is everyone involved in authorizing, planning, designing, operating and maintaining facilities.
Appendix A - Built Environment Case Studies.
Examples of administrative and recreation projects that incorporate character guidelines.
To illustrate successful Forest Service projects for peers to see and discuss.
The primary audience is project sponsors, designers, operators, and maintenance personnel.
Appendix B - Forest Service Manual (FSM) and Handbook (FSH) Direction.
Cites FSM 2330 and 7310 for recreation and administrative facilities to reinforce USDA Forest Service policy for the built environment.
The primary audience is Forest Service line and staff officers, designers.
Appendix C - Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS).
Indicates appropriate site furnishings, construction materials, development scale, and density for the ROS classes and to integrate ROS considerations with architectural character to provide facilities and furnishings appropriate with the desired setting.
The primary audience is Forest Service line and staff officers, designers, and maintenance personnel
Definition of terms used in the handbook to clarify terminology for external cooperators and those not in design fields.
The primary audience is all readers.
References for quotations used in the handbook. Provide sources for quotations.
The primary audience is all readers.
Names of the individuals and teams who helped develop this guide for acknowledgment.
The primary audience is all readers.
Chapter 1 - Image and the Built Environment.
Chapter 2 - Origins of the
National Forest Built Environment.
Chapter 3 - The Sustainable
Image: Responses to Context.
Chapter 4 - Architectural Character Guidelines for the Nation and the Provinces.
Chapter 5 - Integrating
Architectural Character With the Facility Management Process.
Appendices