What is the term for integrating existing site features into design processes?

The correct term for integrating existing site features into design processes is contextual design. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding and responding to the unique characteristics of a site, including its natural features, cultural heritage, and historical context. By considering these elements, architects and planners can create designs that respect and enhance the existing environment, fostering a sense of place and continuity.

Contextual design leads to more sustainable and relevant architecture, as it takes into account not just the physical aspects of a site but also its social and cultural dimensions. This term highlights the responsibility of designers to honor the past and the context in which their work exists, ultimately leading to better integration of new structures within their settings.

While place-based stewardship involves maintaining and caring for a location and its attributes, it does not specifically emphasize the design integration process. Holistic planning refers to considering the entire system of an environment or project, while adaptive design focuses more on modifying or repurposing existing structures to serve new functions, rather than integrating site features during the initial design process. Therefore, contextual design is the most accurate choice for this question.