EDWARD T.

WHITE
SITE DIAGRAMMING INFORMATION
FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

ANALYSIS
EDWARD T. WHITE
PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE FLORIDA A & M UNIVERSITY

&I ARCHITECTURAL MEDIA

Site Analysis: Diagramming
lnformation for Architectural Design
CopyrightQ 1983 by Edward T. White
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 1.928643-04-3

Architectural M e d i a Monograph Series

Project Programming: A Growing Architectural Service

Teaching Architectural Programming
Interviews With Architects About Facility Programming
Design Briefing in England
Facility Programming and the Corporate Architect
Programming, Post - Occupancy Evaluation and the Financial Success of the Architect
Learning Decision - Making for the Building Process
Building Evaluation in Professional Practice
Post - Occupancy Evaluation and the Corporate Architect
The Value of Post - Occupancy Evaluation to the Architect in Government
Post - Occupancy Evaluation from the Client's Perspective

Architectural M e d i a Books

A Graphic Vocabulary for Architectural Presentation

lntroduction to Architectural Programming
Ordering Systems: An lntroduction to Architectural Design
.
- Concept Source Book: A Vocabulary of Architectural Design
Presentation Strategies in Architecture
Site Analysis: Diagramming information for Architectural Design
. Space Adjacency Analysis: Diagramming lnformation for Architectural Design
Images of Italy
.
Path Portal Place
Building Meaning

Architectural M e d i a Ltd.
P.O. Box 10588
Tallahassee, Florida 32302
850 222-1223
FAX 850 561-0021
 PREFACE 1
DEFINITIONS, ISSUES A N D DIAGRAMMING SlTE INFORMATION 25
DESIGN IMPLICATIONS 5 OVERVIEW 26
OVERVIEW 6 PROCESS 28
SITES AS ACTIVE NETWORKS 8 ISSUE IDENTIFICATION 28
CONSEQUENCE TRIANGLE 9 COLLECTING THE DATA 35
BEING THOROUGH 11 MAKING THE DIAGRAMS 4 0
KINDS OF INFORMATION 16 DIAGRAMMATIC FRAMEWORK 40
REFERENT DRAWINGS 42
LOCATION 18 DIAGRAMMATIC FORMS 43
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT 18 SlTE ANALYSIS CASE STUDY 44
REFINEMENT A N D SIMPLIFICATION 108
SIZE A N D ZONING 18 GRAPHIC EMPHASIS A N D CLARITY 118
LEGAL 18 TITLES, LABELS A N D NOTES 119
NATURAL PHYSICAL FEATURES 19 ORGANIZING THE DIAGRAMS 121
M A N MADE FEATURES 19 SUBJECT CATEGORY 121
QUANTITATIVE-QUALITATIVE 122
CIRCULATION 19 GENERAL-PARTICULAR 122
UTILITIES 19 RELATIVE IMPORTANCE 122
SEQUENCE OF USE 123
SENSORY 20 INTERDEPENDENCY 123
H U M A N A N D CULTURAL 20 INTERPRETING THE DIAGRAMS 126
CLIMATE 20 WHEN TO USE CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS 141
IMPLICATIONS FOR DESIGN 21 OTHER CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS FORMS 142
PHOTOGRAPHS 142
MODELS 143
MOVIES 144
TRANSPARENT OVERLAYS 145
INTERIOR SPACE ANALYSIS 145
CONTENTS
 PREFACE
We designers are often more comfortable
and skilled at drawing plans, elevations,
sections and perspectives than at dia-
gramming project needs, issues and re-
quirements.
We sometimes seem overly anxious to
draw the architectural answers to ill-
defined project questions and reluctant to
invest in graphic techniques that help us
better understand the project needs and
that stimulate res~onsiveand creative de-
sign concepts.
We need to balance our skills at drawing
design solutions with our skills at drawing
and visualizing the problems and re-
quirements.
This book is the first of a planned series
V UU about diagramming in architectural de-
sign. The theme of ?he series is visualizing
information for design in the dual sense of
converting the information into graphic
images and seeing or understanding the
information better. The central thesis is
that our ability to draw needs, require-
ments and early design concepts is just as
important as our ability to draw final
building design solutions and that, in fact,
our diagramming skills profoundly influ-
ence the quality of our building designs.
There are several reasons why it is helpful
for us to visualize design information
when planning buildings:
 ~ .
Accountabi1ity.A~ designers, we are being Communications. Clients of architectural Efficiency. We are constantly faced with
held responsible for the success of more projects are becoming increasingly mul- severe time pressures to expedite the
and more aspects of the building delivery tipersonal (boards, committees, commu- completion of projects to meet client
process and of the performance of the nity involvement) and more demanding in deadlines and to finish work within inter-
buildings we design. At the same time, the terms of their participation in design deci- nal (design office), budget and time con-
criteria for successful buildings are be- sions. Complex clients often mean com- straints. Very few design offices can afford
coming more defined and the building plex interpersonal relationships, conflicts to plan projects in a leisurely, passive
evaluation processes more systematic and and difficulties in obtaining consensus and manner-that is, to wait until good design
rigorous. New facts are being produced by timely decisions. These situations require ideas "happen along." We must be able to
the building research community each strong project organization, clear proce- make ideas happen, to design assertively
year which multiply our professional, dures and effective communication and to control idea-getting processes
legal and moral obligations and respon- techniques to facilitate thoughtful, well- rather than allowing these processes to
sibilities in projects. Diagramming i s a tool informed decisions. We must have solid control us. We should have tools which
which can assist us in coping with infor- defendable reasons for our design recom- can help us to cause design solutions to
mation overload and in more thoroughly mendations that are rooted in the needs of occur in a relatively short time. This need
addressing the project requirements in de- our clients. We must render the decision for techniques extends beyond problem
sign. processes in design more transparent so analysis and conceptualization into the
that our clients can understand where we synth.esis, testing and refinement of design
are, where we've been and where we're solutions. Diagramming is an excellent
going. We must be better documented in tool for getting started in our design think-
both the analysis of the problems and in ing, for taking control of the planning
our generation of the solutions. It is impor- process and for getting unstuck when we
tant for us to leave decision tracks that can hit snags.
be retraced and to be able to explain how
we arrived at particular design proposals.
Diagramming i s an effective means of in-
creasing the quality of communication in
our building planning processes.
Diagramming is an important aspect of translation from problem to solution. Dia-
our design language with which we pro- gramming can facilitate the discovery of
duce our design solutions. Mastery of that key problem issues and can clarify, sum-
language is fundamental to attaining com- marize, amplify, and test verbage. It is a
petence in the design profession. Much of way of simplifying and collapsing project
the attention in the area of design graphics issues into a manageable number and of
has been focused on techniques for draw- transforming those issues into more mean-
ing our final building designs. We need to ingful and evocative form for design. Dia-
begin to codify those predesign and early grams can serve as efficient reminders
design graphic techniques that help us to (programmatic shorthand) about complex
surround the problem, define it, crack it, issues during design that would require
enter it, and explore alternative architec- pages to explain in writing. The enter-
tural responses to it. tainment value of diagrams helps to make
programmatic information less tedious
Diagramming is a way to get close to the and intimidating and more approachable.
problem, to engage it, to absorb it, to re-
state it in our own terms and to render it
second nature so that we can attend to the
selection and integration of potential solu-
tions.
Ideally, the profile of the design solution
should mirror the profile of the program-
matic requirements and conditions. Dia-
gramming is useful in constructing the
problem profile so that it may serve as a
beacon toward which to manage the de-
sign solution.
Investing in diagramming often leads us to
This book deals with one aspect of dia-
the discovery of design ideas that other- gramming information for the design of
wise wouldn't have occurred to us. It
buildings: the analysis of sites where new
helps us to build our vocabulary of design buildings will be built.
solutions for use in future projects by ex-
pressing solution types in storable and re- Contextual analysis, that is, the study of
trievable (memorable) form. Diagramming project property, is a vital prelude to mak-
assists us in bridging between the problem ing sound decisions about optimum site
as expressed in verbal terms and the solu- utilization, best on site arrangements of
tion as expressed in physical/architecturaI clients' interior and exterior activities and
terms. Through diagramming we decrease spaces, and most effective ways to re-
the likelihood of losing something in the spect and capitalize upon site assets.
NlTlON
UES AND
Contextual analysis is a predesign research
activity which focuses on the existing, im-
minent and potential conditions on and
around a project site. It is, in a sense, an
inventory of all the pressures, forces and
situations and their interactions at the
property where our project will be built.
The major role of contextual analysis
in design i s that of informing us about
our site prior to beginning our design
concepts so that our early thinking
about our building can incorporate
meaningful responses to external con-
ditions.
Typical site issues addressed i n a contextual
analysis are site location, size, shape, con-
tours, drainage patterns, zoning and set-
backs, utilities, significant on site features
(buildings, trees, etc.), surrounding traffic,
neighborhood patterns, views to and from
the site and climate. As designers we need
to know something about these issues in
order to design a successful building that
not only meets its internal responsibilities
(functions) but that also relates well to its
external environment. Since our building
will exist for several years, our contextual
analysis should attempt to deal with poten-
tial future conditions as well as theones we
can observe on the site today. Some of the
typical issues in this regard are changing
zoningpatternsaround our site, shifts in the
designation of major and minor streets,
changing cultural patterns in the surround-
ing neighborhood and the construction of
significant projects nearby that impact on
our site.
Just as a single word or phrase is best
understood when we know something
aboutitssurrounding verbal context soalso 5
should we be aware of the contextual situa- 9 Ye~$&d gJ
tion where our building will be sited. %+s -me-e

Context is defined in the dictionary as

the "whole situation, background or
environment relevant'tosome event or
product." The derivation of the word
means to "weave together."
Thespiritofthis meaning tells ussomething
as designers regarding the need to "weave"
our designs into the existing fabric of site
conditions, pressures, problems and op-
portunities. We must strive for a sense of fit
between the newcomer to the site (our
building) and the site itself. The notion of
"fit" does not necessarily imply subordina-
tion of our building to site conditions. We
may choose to be in sympathy with some
site' conditions where be'attehpt to save,
reinforce, amolifv and i m ~ r o v on
e what we
find on the she, w e may'also identify cer-
tain site conditions which we want to de-
liberately alter, eliminate, cover up, dis-
guise or reform. "Weaving" as a concept
applied to the placement of buildings on
sites will always include some alteration of
the existing conditions. What i s important
is that we make these decisions deliber-
ately and thoughtfully so that the effects of
our building on the site are not accidental.
Whether attempting to go "with" the site or
to "contrast" the site, our early thinking is
pivotal in terms of producing a successful
project.
SITES AS ACTIVE
NETWORKS
Sometimes as designers we may be tempt-
ed to think of our project site as an inert,
passive situation. We may consider it as
simply a piece of ground where our build-
ing will sit.
We should always remember that a site
is never inert but is an ongoing set of
very active networks that are in-
tertwined in complex relationships.
Shadow patterns move across our site in a
particular way. Children may useoursite as
a shortcut to school. Our site may be used
as an informal playground by neighbor-
hood children. There is a traffic pulse that
ebbs and flows through and around the site
over the course of a day. People may look
across our site from their homes to views
beyond. The contours may carefully route
water to a site edge where it does no dam-
age to neighbors. The corner may be used
for a bus stop. These are a few of the
situations that make any site active. This
kinetic view of site should sensitize us to
the importance of the task of siting our
building. We are about to place our build-
ing within this active network. It seems
reasonable to assume that if we are to
integrate our design gracefully into this
network without destroying its positive as-
pects, then we must first make ourselves
aware of the nature of the network through
contextual analysis.
CONSEQUENCE The consequence triangle focuses on
the simulation of the completed and
There are three "actors" i n the conse-
quence triangle: the building, the users and
TRIANGLE o c c u ~ i e dbuildine and i s based on the the context. The building includes all the
The "consequence triangle" is a conve- hypo'thesis that iris not the design or
the building itself which is our ultimate
interior and exterior physical manifesta-
tions of our design such as the walls, floors,
,,ient model for understandingthe network
responsibility as designers but the pre- ceilings, structure, mechanical, furniture,
of contextual causes and effects and how
they relate to other aspects and Issues of diction and delivery of a set of conse- lighting, color, landscaping, paving, doors,
windows, hardware and accessories. The
our project. quences or effects that have been
users include all those people whoown the
deemed positive and possible.
 building, work in the building, maintain All oi the efiects or conseqLence issues
the building, are clients, patrons or cus- mentloneo nere on!) dea. \ v ~ t hmpacts
tomers in the building, service the building, cau>ed ov obr ou.loing on itself. users and
live near the building or simply pass by the context. TO complete the mocel we must
building. The context includes all the con- perform the same operation for users and
ditions, situations, forces and pressures that context. We can see then. that each of
~ - tr~c
constituted the existing site prior to the three actors-building, users and
f i construction of the building. context-are acted on by the other two and
If we set these three protagonists at the act on'the other two. Each of the three
corners of a triangle and draw lines repre- causes changes in the other two and is
senting impactsfrom each of them toall the changed by the other two. The network is
others and from each of them to them- i n constant motion for the life of the
selves, we have diagrammed the essential buildine.
"
messages of the consequence triangle. The When we view our design situation in this
elements of the building affect not only way, it becomes clear that our design re-
each other but also elements in the context sponsibility should be focused on the lines
... ..
and users. In terms of building impact on of force in the diagram and not only on the
itself, the air conditioning system causes building, users and context themselves.
changes in material and furniture because
of temperature and humidity differential. I t behooves us to not only know some-
Fenestration causes changes in material, thing about the compositional charac-
lighting and furniture because of the admit- ters of buildings, people and contexts
A tance of sunlight. Furniture location causes but also about how they affect them-
changes in the flooring material due to selves and each other.
placement in the space. The consequences
caused by the building on the users may Every building project involves some de-
involve environmental effects on attitude, gree of remodeling because of the inevita-
productivity, efficiency, sense of worth and ble modification of the context at and
well-being, staff turnover, level of learning, around our building. It is impossible to
sales volume and other aspects of human place our building on its site without
behavior. The building also creates conse- changing the existing conditions. We must
quences within the context. These may determine what to retain, reinforce, accent,
include alteration of wind patterns, con- reduce, modify or eliminate.
tours and drainage patterns, surface ab-
sorption of rainfall, existing foliage,
shadow patterns, sunlight reflection off
The implanting of our building on
the site will always result in a re-
modeling of the site. Our goal should
"'"'ZL
windowsand sound reflectionsoff building
always be to leave our site better than
surfaces.
we found it.
BEING THOROUGH It is easy to convince ourselves that we analysis there is always the naggingfeeling
have done our job in researching the that there are some importantdesign impli-
As in all predesign research, thoroughness contextifwehavesomedata(however cations that lie one more step beyond
in identifying, collecting and presenting incomplete) about the site. We pro- where we have ended our study. We can
the information is vital to designing a proj- never know too much about our site. Time
teed with design thinking that if we
ect that is responsive to its contextual situa- and budget restrictions eventually force us
deal with what we know about thesite,
tion. We cannot respond to site conditions to callthe study ,rcomplete,,, It is important
that we are not aware of and we must not even though it is an pic- to develop the ability to do our analyses
allow the relationships between our build- turet we will have met Our efficiently so that we can do as thorough a
ing and its context to be accidental due to sibilities as designers. job as possible within our time and fiscal
inadequate or faulty information. This situation is similar to adoctorprescrib- Constraints.
A half done contextual analysis is probably ing a remedy based on an incomplete Aside from the professional competence
more dangerous than not doing one at all. diagnosis of the patient. In contextual issue of thoroughly addressing all site con-
 6kh
w
7 /hfrrraddin9h/p &eev 5 h

of~inpdf6~ wwnd? pfo&

i~p//;;pf/dn$
ditions in design, there areother reasons for data warrants the accumulation of as
complete contextual analyses. We can be many "data triggers" as possible. We
more efficient as designers if we can avoid all carry a vocabulary of site response
interrupting conceptualization with re- concepts, a set of ways for handling
search. It is better to get it all the first time to different site conditions and require-
avoid having to continually go back to ments, individual site characteristics
repeat our efforts in site research. By having
all the data at one time we can see the trigger certain conceptual sets from
interrelationshipsof the data and use this as our vocabulary of possible responses.
a catalyst in concept getting. I f data is missing from the site analysis,
certain site design concepts may not be
Data synthesis, comparison and ma- evoked.
nipulation are obviously much richer
ifwe are able to perform these This would deny our final scheme a richer
and more complete set of site concepts and
tions with all of the data at hand. The
risk accidental and inappropriate re-
view predesign research as a trigger- sponses to particularsite conditions out of
ing device to evoke appropriate formal negligence,
vocabularies for responding to the
 There are also legal implications related to collecting.
- Q
the thoroughness of contextual analysis
and site design. We must be especially It i s important not to do the analysis
careful to attend to the impacts of our site "at long range" but to actually go to
concepts on adjacent and surrounding the site and feel it.
property, Inadvertent design decisions See the views, listen to the sounds, look at
based on incomplete site data may result in the activity. Walk or drive the site to get a
negative consequencesfor the neighbors of sense of the time-distance factor between
our project both during construction and boundaries and to feel how the contours
after our project is complete and in use. change. It is important to judge first hand
Blockage of neighborhood water drainage the value of on site amenities such as trees.
patterns as they enter our site may cause
flooding. Rerouting drainage patterns so The issue of time must be applied to all
that water leaves our site in a different our site information.
place may result in water damage. Our We must have some idea about how long a
building placement may block views from
e n event or pressure ass, when it
adjacent structures. The vehicular traffic
generated by our facility may increase the
peaks, when it starts and ends, how it
changes over tne course of a year, month,
.
. p,
' < ,, ;: .,'
. ; ',,, , ';*?;, "C .:+,>r"~.v~~:r
congestion and noise level in the neigh- week or day. ., A~ 1 <
borhood. Excavation of our site could
cause footing damage to nearby buildings. It is also helpful if we can project future
Sun reflection offour building may result in conditions on and around the site such as
increased cooling loads in neighboring zoning trends, widening of streets, future
buildings or create traffic hazards for driv- traffic plans or the likelihood of certain
ers near our site due to glare. Shadows cast building types locating on adjacent or
by our structurecould damage landscaping nearby property. For each fact we collect
of neighborsor deny them access to thesun we should ask ourselves about the future
for solar collectors. All these situations and with respect to that particularcategory. Our
others are potential negative consequences building will occupy the site for a long
of our designs on adjacent property that time. We want it to effectively respond to
have legal implications for both our clients all surrounding conditions over its life
and ourselves. Thorough site analysis and span.
attention to detail during site use concep-
tualization are vital if we are to avoid the
It is desirable to look at the next con-
negative situations and achieve the posi- textual layer of issues beyond the ones
tive ones. we are addressing.
If we hope to do a thorough contextual Contextual analyses are theoretically open
analysis, there are several things we ended in that there are no inherent logical
should remember about the data we are stopping points. We could continue to
analyze the contexts of the contexts well
beyond issues that are architecturally rele-
vant. On the other hand there i s sometimes
a temptation to arbitrarily terminate our
analysis before we should. The important
point here is to think about the appropriate
extension of the analysis for each piece of
information. How far do we go with our
data collection for each information type?
Examples include deciding how many
blocks beyond our site to incorporate in the
analysis, whether to analyze what created
existing traffic patterns, whether to infer
certain things about the neighborhood by
what we see and whether to conduct house
to house interviews. These judgments all
involve decisions on our part about the
importance and relevancy of the informa-
tion to either the verification of data or to
design. In contextual analysis we are con-
stantly making judgments about how
deeply or accurately we must research a
particular site topic. This issue is being
raised not to provide an excuse for a sloppy
job but to recognize that the "absolutely
complete" contextual analysis does not
exist and that under the pressure of time we
must be somewhat selective about what we
address i n our site study. The goal i s a
contextual analysis researched through all
its contexts of contexts. The reality is al-
ways something short of that.
Our contextual analysis should record
what information is "hard" (non-
negotiable) and what is "soft."
Soft data is that which deals with sitecondi-
tions that can be changed or that do not
absolutely have to be addressed or re-
 sponded to in design. Hard data involves
things like site boundary, legal description,
site area and utility locations. Some thin.gs
that we might classify as hard data a're
actually changeablesuch as contours, zon-
ing, setbacks and trees. It is helpful to
classify the information according to
"firmness" because it provides a sense of
the required sequence of attention to data
when we begin design, We generally must
couewith the hard data first in ourearlv site
decisions
There should be a sense of priority This is normally a result of the intensity of
about the information we collect and the site conditions and whether they are
record. judged positive or negative. It is useful
when we begin design to have a sense of
whether something is of great value and
should be saved, enhanced and reinforced
or whether something i s very negative and
should be eliminated, avoided orscreened.

2. A systematic approach more easily

permits us to cope with information
overload in complex situations.
3. A fine-grained approach to analysis
fosters a fine-grained approach to de-
sign synthesis where contextual oppor-
tunities and problems have less of a
chance tor1slipthrough the cracks" and
thus be left behind during design
synthesis.
4. The more individual contextual factors
we uncover and document in analysis
of the site, the more cues we provide
for ourselves in triggering site response
concepts.
 the contextual analysis. These deal prima-
KINDS OF rily with the sensory and human aspects of
INFORMATION the site that are not quantitative and which
require an opinion about the existence and
The kinds of information collected for our positive or negative characteristics of cer-
contextual analysis basically involve an tain sitequalities. Typical examples include
inventory of existing and projected site good and bad views from the site, best
conditions. We are not concerned with approach directions to th.e site in terms of
design responses to the site at this stage but view, existence of odors and extent to
rather with finding out all we can about the which they areannoying, presenceof exist-
site. We are interested in facts. The facts ing on site human activities and their value
about our site will always include both (informal playground, gathering spot for
hard and soft data. The hard data usually unemployed workers, neighborhood fairs
relate to physical site factors and involve and festivals) and types of noises and the
no judgments about their existence or na- extent to which they are disruptive. This
ture. Typical hard data would be site loca- "soft data", although it initially involves
tion, dimensions, contours, on site features judgments, tends to become "hard data"
and climate. Soft data may involve some once it is documented in the contextual
value judgments on our part in conducting analysis. It i s import
those issues that involve opinions are al- seem useful in classifying the data. We communicate a great deal to us when
ways open to interpretation in design and should never expect the amount and we begin t o respond to the contextual
are usually the most negotiable when de- importance of site data to be equal analysis i n design.
signing for the site in schematics. under each of these headings. Each site
The data outline presented next has no
I n attempting to organize the types of is different and the imbalance in how
particular meaning behind its sequence
information that we collect about a the information is distributed among other than the fact that it separates site data
site, there are several headings that the headings and the different Patterns from climate data and proceeds from gen-
of emphasis given to the information eral overview issues to more detailed ones.
LOCATION May include state map and
city map showing loration of site in rela-
tion to city as a whole. City map may also
show distances and travel times to related
functions in other parts of the city.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT Pre-
sents the immediate surroundings of the
site for perhaps three to four blocks beyond
the site boundary. This may be extended
further to include an important factor or
because of the scale of the project. Map
may show existing and projected uses,
buildings, zoning and any other conditions
that may have an impact on our project.
SIZE AND ZONING Documents all
the dimensional aspects of the site includ-
ing boundaries, location and dimension of
easements and present zoning classifica-
tion with all its dimensional implications
(setbacks, height restrictions, parking for-
mulas, allowed uses, etc.) and buildable
area (land available for the project after all
setbacks and easements have been sub-
tracted). Analysis should also document
the present and projected zoning trends,
plans by the city transportation department
to widen roads (change rights of way) and
any other trend that might affect our project
in the future.
LEGAL This category presents the legal
description of the property, covenants and
restrictions, present ownership, present
governmental jurisdiction (city or county)
and any future projections that may influ-
ence the project (such as the fact that the
site is in a future city urban renewal area or
within the boundaries of eventual univer-
sity expansion).
 NATURAL PHYSICAL FEATURES In-
cludes contours, drainage patterns, soil
type and bearing capacity, trees, rocks,
ridges, peaks, valleys, pools and ponds.
M A N - M A D E FEATURES Documents
on site conditions such as buildings, walls,
drives, curb cuts, hydrants, power poles
and paving patterns. Off site features may
include characteristics of surrounding de-
velopment such as scale, roof forms,
fenestration patterns, setbacks, materials,
colors, open spaces, visual axes, paving
patterns, landscaping materials and pat-
terns, porosity and assertiveness of wall
forms and accessories and details.
CIRCULATION Presents all vehicular
and pedestrian movement patterns on and
around the site. Data includes duration and
peak loads for surrounding vehicular traffic
and pedestrian movement, bus stops, site
access edges, traffic generators, service
truck access and intermittent traffic
(parades, fire truck routes, concerts at
nearby auditorium). Traffic analysis should
include future projections insofar as they
Y can be made.
UTILITIES This category deals with the
type, capacity and location of all utilities
on, adjacent to and near the site. Typical
utility types include electricity, gas, sewer,
water and telephone. Where utilities are
some distance from the site, those dimen-
sions should be given. It is useful to docu-
ment the depths of utilities when they are
underground as well as the pipe material
and diameter.
SENSORY Documents the visual, audi- HUMAN AND CULTURAL Includes CLIMATE Presents all the pertinent cli-
ble, tactile and olfactory aspects of the site, an analysis of the surrounding neighbor- mate conditions such as rainfall, snowfall,
Typical issues are views to and froln the site hood in terms of cultural, psychological, humidity and temperature variations over
and noise generated around the site. It is of behavioral and sociological aspects. This the months of the year. Also included are
value to record the type, duration, intensity category is different from "Neighborhood prevailing wind directions, sun-path and
and quality (positive or negative) of the Context" listed earlier in that the latter ad- vertical sun angles as they change over the
sensory issues. As discussed earlier, this dresses the physical while this category year and potential natural catastrophes
often involves making some judgments deals with the activities, human relation- such as tornados, hurricanes and earth-
about the relative desirability of the differ- ships and patterns of human characteris- quakes. It is helpful to know not only how
ent sensory conditions on and around the tics. Issues here might involve population climate conditions vary over a typical year
site. age, ethnic patterns, density, employment but also what the critical conditions might
patterns, values, income and family struc- be (maximum daily rainfall, peak wind
?\ ture. Also of importance are any scheduled velocity).
/ or informal activities in the neighborhood
a.--
such as festivals, parades or crafts fairs.
Vandalism and crime patterns, although
not pleasant, are of value to designers
when conceptualizing site zoning and
building design.
 Althoughthe facts we collect about our site
IMPLICATIONS may be influenced by the building images
FOR DESIGN that inevitably come to mind as we do the
contextual analysis, we should attempt to
Contextual analysis i s a prelude to de- keep conceptualization separate from the
signing for context. It involves know- contextual analysis. The contextual
ing what we have t o work with in terms analysis should be an inventory of existing
of site before we begin to work with i t and projected conditions assuming no new
in site zoning. Like function, image or building on the site so that when we begin
building envelope, i t is another way of to design for the site we do not confuse
entering the problem, of making our what is actually there now with what we
wish was there or hope to put there.
first conceptual decisions which form
the designer-made context for sub-
sequent decisions.
I t is useful in discussing the influence
of contextual analysis on design to dif-
ferentiate between function and con-
text as forces which locate building
spaces and activities on the site. Func-
tion tends to locate building spaces in
an introverted way in that they are
primarily looking inward to each other
for the rationale behind their positions
in the scheme. Context, on the other
hand, wants the spaces to migrate to
different positions on the site in re-
sponse to conditions outside the build-
ing. I n function, the attraction is be-
tween spaces. In context, the attrac-
tion is between spaces and external
site conditions. Usually in a design
problem these two (and all the other)
project issues pull and push the spaces Operations need- Operations need-
to determine their final placement in ing access to de- ing shelter from
the scheme. They are in a very real livery and pick- high activity
sense competing with each other to up vehicles. zones.
determine the building form. Building entry lo- Activities needing
cated to relate to direct access for
Some examples of situations that might primary ap- vehicles.
cause a space or activity to be placed in the proach direc- Integration of form
scheme due to external linkages to context tion. with surrounding
are presented below. , , Zoning of parking
Activities requiring r-+...
Gcli~ 2 areas away from
contextual im-
ages.
or desiring a !@c$t view lines to Relationship of
view. E ~ ~ j ' building. spaces to exist-
Activities that @ -
awavfrom noise,
~ c t i v i i i e s that
416
should be zoned .,g'"':":,:
L&$ d
Activities needing
indirect natural
lighting.
Activities needing
ing scale and
geometric pat-
terns.
Spaces needing
should strongly direct sunlight. their o w n con-
relate to on site
pedestrian circu- trolled exterior
environment.
lation patterns.
Our first efforts at optimum placement of Where relation to context is judged to 3. The third approach is appropriate
functions or spaces on the site in response be more important than internal func- where the project is particularly large
to contextual pressures may involve any of tional efficiency, we may take each with several site components. Here we
three approaches. function or space and place it in its may need to deal with the placement of
1. Where function is considered a more optimum zone on the site indepen- our building or buildings as wholes
critical form-giving determinant than dently oftheother spaces. When all the before we can address the location of
context, we may place the bubble dia- spaces have been placed (including their spaces. In this approach the prin-
gram on thesiteand allow thespaces to exterior spaces) then we may begin to ciples and intentions are no different
migrate and shift within the bubble so condense our spaces and knit them than those in the first two approaches.
that their orientations and placements together with a circulation system. The scale of the components we are
relate to the appropriate site condi- manipulating on the site is simply
tions. Here the connecting lines be- larger. Once our buildings are placed in
tween the spaces in the bubble are zones on the site, then we may use
made elastic while still remaining con- either of the first two approaches to
nected to the space bubbles so that the zone the building spaces in response to
functional ties are always maintained their context.
while we are searching for a contextu-
ally responsive placement of spaces.
Reasonsfor locatinga building in a particu- tual analysis as a stimulant for concep-
lar area of the site may involve soil bearing tualization is vital to responsible de-
conditions, contours that minimize earth sign. I t helps to ensure that there is an
work during construction, ridges to take appropriateness t o those design ideas
advantage of views or breezes, streets or that surface i n our minds i n that they
corners that ensure high visibility to the
were triggered by the relevant project
building, alleys that allow easy service ac-
cess, site scars that have already caused issues, conditions and needs and not
disruption (collect existing scars with the arbitrarily fabricated and imposed on
scars caused by construction) or the the project.
avoidance of some particularly valuable
asset that should be preserved (trees) or
The contextual analysis itself w i l l
never create the design responses. Too r'i?k%5
,,4/e++yn
fo
some particularly negative condition (poor
often we mistakenly believe that i f only / /da;t
~ond$&
view or noise).
I t is important to remember that site
design and building and space place-
ment can involve sectional issues as
we analyze long enough, we will be led
to the solution. This will never happen.
The bridging of the analysis-synthesis
& 1
"gap" has to be a two-way affair. We must
well as plan issues. analyze the context to trigger design re-
Relation of floors to contours, heights of sponses, but the design responses or vo-
spaces in relation to views, stepping of cabularies must be there to be triggered. As
spaces down hillsides and stacking of designers we must continually work to ex-
spaces in relation to contours and neigh- pand and deepen our vocabulary of ar-
borhood scale are a few of the potential chitectural forms and concepts so that
reasons to study the zoning of our facility there is something there to draw upon
on the site in section as well as in plan. when we "flip theswitch" through analysis. mmM&-s&H,~
We should know many ways of taking ad- M L ~ B
A thorough contextual analysis gives us ~ , p
vantage of a good view, numerous ways to
confidence that we have the site conditions buffe'oursp&es against outside noise 'and
all recorded. That confidence facilitates the several ways to ascend to our building from
conceptualization of site responses in de- a parking lot. These conceptual solution
sign and contributes to the heuristic proc- types constitute the design vocabulary that
ess of idea formulation. In doing the con- we accumulate from reading, travel, past
textual analysis and engaging the site issues projects we have designed and visiting
through diagramming, we trigger design buildings. Analysis will give us the condi-
response imagesfor dealing with the site. tions but not the responses. It will tell us
The contextual analysis acts as a switch that we have a great view but not what to
to recall the parts of our design vocab- do about it. We must draw from our vo-
ularies that apply to the site problems cabulary of design responses for the appro-
priate concepts.
and opportunities. The role of contex-
DlAG MlNG
SITE
INFORMATION
 Diagramming the information learned
through contextual analysis may utilize
any of the conventional drawing
frameworks to record the data. We may
graphically express our site information in
plan, section, elevation, perspective,
isometric or any of the other types of draw-
ings available to us. The types of drawings
we useshould besympathetic to thetypeof
information we are recording. Some data is
better expressed in plan, some in section,
L L some in perspective, etc. Normally there
are two components to any site information
diagram. First, we must have a referent
drawing of the site to provide a context for
the particular site information we want to
record. Second, we must diagram the site
fact itself. The referent drawing may be a
simple plan of the site boundaries with
bordering streets or a section through the
siteshowing only theground plane. We use
these simple site drawings as frameworks
for diagramming the particular site issues
that we wish to express. There are two
rather different postures we may assume
regarding the recording of the site informa-
tion over these referent drawings. The first
&y .&-..0
t -!. we
approach
may call
where
the we
composite
attempt to
or diagram
integrated
as

I 0 el many different site issues as we can over

.-.-I . A L..,..J one referent drawing. Here, different types
,d,*LLL of site data are superimposed over each
y..-/lr\r--.*- I other so that we can more easily see the
relationships between the information. In
i &-I i i I
1 ' this approach we must make sure that the
4'-,.-., 2 L..-..-
:-
I

L..-..-I drawing does not become muddied' and

confusing and that the most important site
Se7ePQf84
information has been expressed with the
strongest diagrams. The second approach
segregateseach piece of site information to
a separate referent drawing. This method
values the expression of each issue sepa-
rately so that it can be easily understood.
By dealing with each fact individually we We should begin to develop our own
may be less likely to ignore something. vocabulary of diagrammatic forms so
Keeping these two approaches pure and that they may become second nature Contextual analysis may be applied tositu-
unadulterated is not important. Where it is for us and may be used as an effective ations of any scale and is relevant to both
appropriate to our situation it is perfectly graphic shorthand for documenting exterior and interior project issues. We may
permissible to use both methods within the site conditions. There are essentially analyze a region, a city, a neighborhood, a
same contextual analysis. four steps to diagramming any site parcel of land, the interior of an existing
building or the interior of a single existing
The diagrammatic forms that we may use to fact. We must design the initial dia-
interior space. The discussion that follows
actually record our site information over grammatic form, refine and simplify it, will deal principally with the analysis of
the referent drawings are many and varied. emphasize and clarify the meaning single parcels of land. Some attention will
There are no rules for the forms these must through graphic hierarchy and em- also be given to the contextual analysis of
take and no universally agreed upon vo- phasis and finally introduce whatever interior space under "Other Contextual
cabulary for them. notes and labeling are necessary. Analysis Forms."
PROCESS 1. We should think about the nature
of the project, its needs, require-
2. Site analysis should never be done at
"long range." Weshould aiwayssee the
ISSUE IDENTIFICATION ments and critical issues. site first hand, walk or drive the con-
tours and boundaries, see the views
The first step in conducting a contextual What is the essence of the project? and on site amenities, listen to the
analysis i s to identify those issues we wish What is the building's reason for being? sounds and personally assimilate the
to analyze and to diagrammatically docu- What are its major goals and objec- scaleand pulse of the neighborhood.
ment. As discussed previously, our goal tives?What roles can the building play
should be to analyze all relevant issues in enhancing the site and its surround- This "hands-on" direct encounter
about thesite because thoroughness is vital ings?All of these concerns should help with site from a personal and sen-
to project success. us toanticipate the kind of sitedata that sory point of view gives us another
It is useful in choosing from among the will be needed during the design phase set of clues for choosing the types
available site issue categories to let our of the project. of site information that should be
choices be influenced by at least two im- addressed in our contextual
portant inputs: analysis.
The visit to the siteallows us todevelop
a sense of what is unique, valuable and
important about the site.
 Both of the previous techniques for focus- minor streets, routes of service
%, ing on what should be analyzed may ben-
efit from a checklist of potential contextual
vehicles such as trash, bus routes
and stops.
issues. This checklist will help ensure that g. Solid-void space relationships.
we do not forget any important site factor h. Street lighting patterns.
and will assist us to more efficiently iden- i. Architectural patterns such as roof
tify the site concerns to be included in our forms, fenestration, materials,
analysis. We should add to our list each color, landscaping, formal porosity,
time we encounter a new site issue so that relationship to street, car storage
acly/ "-
ar?r$w5
-
=
-
=-
over time the list becomes more and more
comprehensive. A prototypical checklist
of potential site issues follows.
strategies, building height,
sculptural vigor, etc.
i.
' Neighborhood classifications that
1. Location miglht place special restrictions or
a. Location of the city in the state responsibilities on our design work
including relationship to roads, such as "historic district."
cities, etc. k. Nearby buildings of particular
b. Location of the site neighborhood value or significance.
in the city. I. Fragile images or situations that
c. Location of the site in the neigh- should be preserved.
m. Sun and shade patterns at different
borhood.
d. Distancesand travel times between times of the year.
the site and locations of other re- n. Major contour and drainage pat-
lated functions in the city. terns.

2. Neighborhood Context 3. Size and Zoning

a. Map of the neighborhood indicat- a. Dimensions of the boundaries of
ing existing and projected property our site.
zoning. b. Dimensions of the street rights of
b. Existing and projected building way around our site.
uses in the neighborhood. c. Location and dimensions of ease-
c. Age or condition of the neighbor- ments.
hood buildings. d. Present site zoning classification.
d. Present and future uses of exterior e. Front, back and side yard setbacks
requiied by zoning classification.
spaces in the neighborhood.
e. Any strong vehicular or pedestrian f. Square feet of buildable area inside
traffic generating functions in the setbacks (should also subtract
neighborhood. easements).
f. Existing and projected vehicular g. Building height restrictions re-
movement patterns. Major and quired by zoning classification.
h. Zoning formula for determining re-
quired parking based on the typeof
 building to occupy the site. c. Drainage patterns on the site in-
i. The number of parking spaces re- cluding directions of surfacedrain-
quired (if we know the building age (perpendicular to contours),
area). major and minor arteries of water
j. Any conflicts between what the collection (ditches, arroyos, river-
present zoning classification al- beds, creeks, etc.), major drainage
lows and the functions we are patterns onto the site from adjacent
planning for the site. property and from the site onto ad-
k. Zoning classifications that the site jacent property and any neighbor-
would need to be changed to in hood water-related patterns such as
order to accommodate all the viaduct systems or storm sewers.
planned functions. d. Existing natural features on the site
I. Any projected changes that would and their value in terms of preserva-
alter the dimensional characteris- tion and reinforcement versus al-
tics of the site such as street widen- teration or removal. This would
ings or purchase of additional also include opinions regarding
property. permanency in terms of difficulty
4. Legal or expense to remove features. O n
a. Legal description of the property. site features might include trees
b. Covenants and restrictions (site (type and size), ground cover, rock
area usage allowed, height restric- outcroppings, ground surface tex-
tions, screening of mechanical ture, holes or ditches, mounds, on
equipment or service yards, restric- site water (pools, ponds, lakes, riv-
tionson rooftopelements, architec- ers) and stable or unstable areas of
tural character, design require- the site (site scars versus virgin
ments in historic districts, etc.). areas).
c. Name of the property owner. e. Type of soil at different levels below
d. Name of the governmental levels surface and bearing capacity of the
or agencies which have jurisdic- soil. Soil type
. . distribution over site
tion over the property. area.
e. Any projected or potential changes 6. Man-Made Features
in any of the above categories. a. Size, shape, height and location of
5. Natural Physical Features any on site buildings. If these are to
a. Topographic contours. remain; the exterior character and
b. Major topographic features such as interior layout should also be
high points, low points, ridges and documented. If the buildings are to
valleys, slopes and flat areas. be part of our project, we must do a
 detailed building analysis of each pedestrian movement patterns in-
facility. cluding users, purposes, schedule
b. Location and type of walls, retain- of use and volume of use.
ing walls, ramadas or fences. b. Off site pedestrian movement pat-
c. Location, size and character of ex- terns using the same characteristics
terior playfields, courts, patios, mentioned for on site movement.
plazas, drives, walks or service c. If a pedestrian movement pattern is
areas. considered valuable and to be pre-
d. Where it may be important to our served or reinforced, our analysis
design we should record the paving should also include an evaluation
patterns of man-made surfaces. of how the existing pattern could
e. Location and size of curb cuts, be improved.
power poles, fire hydrants or bus d. O n site or adjacent vehicular
stop shelters. movement patterns including type
f. Off site man-made features may of traffic, origins and destinations,
include any of the on site items schedule, volume of traffic and
listed above and/or may involve a peak loads. Also included should
detailed analysis of the existing ar- be intermittent traffic such as
chitectural character surrounding parades, festivals, concerts, fire
our site. This is particularly impor- truck routes, service truck fleets,
tant where the architectural etc.
character will be a factor in the e. Off site or neighborhood vehicular
design of our facility (historic dis- movement issues such as traffic
trict, etc.). Some factors to consider generators (buildings or uses that
i n analyzing surrounding architec- are significant destinations or ori-
tural character include scale, gins of vehicular traffic) as well as
proportion, roof forms, window the other traffic characteristics out-
and door patterns, setbacks, mate- lined under on site traffic. Adjacent
rials, colors, textures, open space or nearby parking areas that may be
versus built space, visual axes, used for off site car storage in our
landscaping materials and pat- project. Off site traffic patterns
terns, paving textures and patterns, should also include the relation of
porosity (extent of openness) and our site to the public transportation
assertiveness (ins and outs) of wall routes, stops at or near our site,
forms, connections, details and ac- probable directions of approach to
cessories, exterior lighting, outdoor our site by the users of the new
furniture and carstorage methods. building and directions of dispersal
of traffic from our building. Traffic
7. Circulation
analysis should document future
a. O n site sidewalks, paths and other
 projections to the extent they can runs, being able to collect utility
be made. runs, bringing utilities i n at the
f. Locations of probable or optimum "back" of the site or dealing with
access to our site for each type of site barriers or difficult soil condi-
pedestrian and vehicular traffic that tions.
will use the new building or move
through the site. 9. Sensory
Views from the site including posi-
g. Travel time to walk across our site, tions on the site where the views
to drive across the site or by the site
where these times may be impor- are not blocked, what the views are
tant to our design (time it takes to of, whether the views are positive
or negative, the angles within
walk between classes at a school).
which the views can be found,
It may also be useful to record the
time it takes to drive to or from whether the views change over
related locations i n the city (from time and the likelihood of view
continuance for the long term. , - .
our site to downtown, the univer-
sity, the shopping center, etc.).
b. Views to points of interest on the
site from within ttie site bound-
&
8. Utilities aries. Includes what the views are
a. Location, capacity and con- of, whether the views are positive
veyance form (type of pipe, etc.) of or negative, positions on the site
power, gas, sewer, telephone and where the views are best and where
hater utilities. This should involve they are blocked, the angles within
the depth of each utility under- which the views can be found and
ground and, in the case of power, whether the object of the views
whether it i s above or below grade. changes over time.
Location of power poles. c. Mews to the site from areas outside
b. Where utility lines stop short of our the ,site boundaries, including
site boundaries, their distances streets, walks, other buildings and
from our site should be given. vistas. lncludes when the site i s first
c. Where there are multiple oppor- seen, angleswithin which it isseen,
tunities to connect to utilities that most dramatic views of the prop-
are adjacent to our site, we should erty, best views of the site and areas
record those locations or edges on that are viewable, particular points
our site that seem to offer the best of interest that may be objects of
connection opportunities. This views from outside our site and
may be due to the capacities of the potential for these views to con-
utility lines, contour conditions on tinue or be blocked by develop-
our site i n relation to sewer, the ment outside our site over the long
need to minimize on site utility term.
Views through our site from posi- e. Relative permanence of the neiah--
tions outside the property. Involves borhood'population.
the objects of the views and the f. Neighborhood trends in termsof all
various positions where the views the factors mentioned above.
occur, whether the views are posi-
11. Climate
tive or negative, the angles within
a. Temperature variation over the
which the views can be found, and
months of the year including the
the likelihood of the view targets as
maximum hiahs and lows and the
well as the view paths remaining
maximum a d average day-night
open over the long term.
temperature swing for the days of
Locations, generators, schedules,
each month.
and intensities of any significant
b. Humidity variation over the
noise on or around the site. This
months of the year including
analysis should include likelihood
maximums, minimums, and aver-
ofcontinuanceover the long term.
ages for each month and for a typi-
Locations, generators, schedules
cal day of each month.
and intensities of any significant
c. Rainfall variation over the months
odors, smoke or other airborne
of the year in inches. Should in-
pollution on or around our site.
clude the maximum rainfall that
This analysis should include like-
can be expected in any one day.
lihood of continuance over time.
d. Snowfall variation over the months
man and Cultural of the year in inches. Should in-
Documentation of neighborhood clude the maximum snowfall that
cultural, psychological, behavioral can be expected in any one day.
and sociological aspects. Potential e. Prevailing wind directions for the
information includes population months of the year including veloc-
density, age, family size, ethnic pat- ity in feet per minute or miles per
terns, employment patterns, in- hour and variations that can be ex-
come,, recreational preferences pected over the course of the day
and informal activities or events and night. Should also include the
such as festivals, parades or fairs. maximum wind velocity that can
Negative neighborhood patterns be expected.
such as vandalism and other crimi- f. Sun path at the summer and winter
nal activities. solstice (high point and low point)
Neighborhood attitudes about the including altitude and azimuth at
project that is about to be designed particular times of the day for
and built on our site. summer and winter (sunrise and
Neighborhood attitudes about sunset, position at 9 a.m., noon
what is positive and what is nega- and 3 p.m.).
tive in the neighborhood. g. Energy related data such as degree
 I t is important to avoid being so con- we must remain mentally engaged with the
cerned about the "legalities" of the process, thinking of the implications of the
classification system that we lose sight facts as we find them, analyzing issues and
of the meaning and importance of site sub-issues until we are satisfied that we
analysis. I t is not as important how the have gotten"to the bottom" of them. We
site facts are classified as that they are must follow what may at first seem tangent
concerns until we establish that they are
days or BTU's of sunlight falling on adequately covered somewhere in our irrelevant or that they do indeed contain
our site. analysis. some valuable information. We must not
h. Potential natural catastrophes such allow the implied segregation of data on
as earthquakes, hurricanes and There is always a danger inherent in
any checklist. Checklists make it easy the checklist to inhibit an understanding of
tornados. May includedocumenta- the linkages between our site conditions. It
tion of earthquake zone that our for us to mentally disengage from the
i s of value, for example, to juxtapose all the
site lies within and history of natu- task at hand and sometimes give us a
issues dealing with time or schedule on the
ral catastrophes in the area. feeling of false security. We feel that if time frame of a typical day and for different
Depending on our particular project, some we simply "put something" under each times of the year. This allows us to see the
of these issues will be more important than heading we will have fulfilled our re- '
ebb and flow of the site forces in concert
others. Some analysis categories may drop sponsibility to analyze the site. We rather than in isolation. It also permits us to
out completely and new ones may be re- cannot allow our site analysis to be- feel the composite of the forces on the site
quired. come a mindless filling of "data bins." in a way that approximates reality.
COLLECTING THE DATA
once the information needed has been
identified, we must outline the sources of
the data and collect it. In some cases this
information must come from others, while
in other cases we may gather it directly
ourselves.
Sources of information may vary from city
to city and from site to site. It is importantto
keep in mind that for some types of data a
single source w i l l suffice. This i s true
primarily for quantitative or technical in-
formation. Other types of data, principally
the qualitative type, may require several
sources for purposes of verification. An
outlineof potential information sourcesfol-
lows.
1. Location
State maps may be miniaturized with
only major highways and cities shown.
City maps of a reasonable size can be
found in most telephone books. We
only need to relate our site to major
streets or landmarks. It may be helpful
to purchase an aerial photograph of our
site and neighborhood from an aerial
survey company. These can be pro-
duced at different scales and allow us
to trace the neighborhood streets and
facilities from the photo. We may trace
the neighborhood context from a zon-
ing map which can be found in the
municipal planning department or ob-
tained from local blueprinting com-
panies. Documentation of the dis-
tances and travel times must be done
by actually driving them or, in the case
of pedestrian circulation, by walking
them.
2. Neighborhood Context ning department should have informa- formation including classification, set-
Zoning for our site and neighborhood tion on existing and projected traffic backs, height restrictions, allowable
can be learned at the municipal plan- around the site. Particular routes of site coverage, allowable uses and park-
ning department or at local printing specific vehicular types (trash, busses, ing requirements involve first finding
companies that have the zoning maps fire trucks) must be collected from each out what the present zoning classifica-
on file. Learning about zoning trends company or agency. Major drainage tion is. This may bedone by obtaininga
may involve conversations with real patterns can be interpolated from U.S. zoning map from a local printingcom-
estate agents who work in the area and Geological Survey Maps. These can pany or city planning department. The
municipal planners. We must directly usually be purchased at local printing specific information about what our
observe the existing building and ex- companies, from the Geological Sur- site zone classification allows can be
terior space uses while talking to area vey district office or the city engineer. collected from the municipal zonhg
businessmen and residents, real estate 3. Size and Zoning ordinance, a book which documents
agents and municipal planners about Much of the information under Size this information for each zone classifi-
projected uses. Several other issues re- cation. A copy of the ordinance may be
and Zoning, Legal, Natural Physical
quire direct observation. These include Features and Man-made Features purchased from municipal planning or
architectural patterns, solid-void rela- borrowed from the library. Conflicts
would be collected and documented
tionships, significant buildings, fragile between what our site zone allows and
by a survey engineer if we were to have
situations, street lighting, and the con- a topographic survey done for our site. what our client wants to put on the site
dition of the buildings. The municipal must be determined by comparison. If
These surveys can be tailored to in-
planning department should be con- there is a conflict, theclient musteither
clude more or less of our site data list
sulted about the existence and re- apply for a variance to the municipal
depending upon how much of the re-
quirements of any special neighbor- board of adjustment or apply for a dif-
search we are able to do ourselves and
hood classifications such as "historic ferent zoning classification that does
how much our client i s able to pay for
district." Sun and shade patterns at dif- allow all the planned uses on the site.
the survey. (Typically, clients are re-
ferent times of the year involve doc- He may also purchase additional prop-
sponsible for providing the site survey
umentation of the building and land- erty or purchase a different piece of
information to the architect.) For our
scaping areas and heights and the purposes, we will assume that we must property. Another option is to simply
shadow patterns at typical times of the amend the planned uses to fit those that
collect all the data.
day (9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m.) at the sum- are allowed. The number of square feet
mer and winter solstice and perhaps at Site boundary dimensions must be of buildable area is calculated by tak-
the equinoxes. Building heights and measured directly to be verified but ing the area inside the site boundary
areas must be estimated by direct ob- can be obtained in recorded form from lines and subtracting the area of any
servation with perhaps the aid of pho- title insurance companies or the setbacks oreasements. Normally, park-
tography. Sun azimuth (horizontal county tax assessor's office. Present ing and on site roads may occupy the
angle) and altitude (vertical angle) can and future street rights of way can usu- unbuildable area inside setbacks.
be collected from Architectural ally be obtained from the municipal
4. Legal
Graphic Standards, other standard ref- transportation department while
Most of the legal information about the
erences or the local weather bureau. easements involve contacting all the
utility companies. All the zoning in- site including the legal description,
The local transportation or traffic plan-
 covenants and restrictions and prop- and estimating the elevations of the our map.
erty owner can be obtained from the other corners in relation to our eye
Opinions and judgments about the
deed to the property. The owner or the level. Once weestablish theoverall fall
value of natural site features may be
title insurance company should have of the site then we can estimate the rate
recorded in the form of notes around
this information. The county tax asses- of fall (contour intervals) between the the map where the features are re-
sor's office may have someor all of it as high points and low points.
corded. These also involve looking
well. Jurisdiction is normally a matter If we require a more accurate record of ahead to the project in deciding about
of finding out whether the site i s inside the site contours, we must conduct a the appropriateness and value of the
or outside of the city limits. Sometimes formal topographic survey. features to our design situation.
there may be special jurisdictional is-
sues such as those regarding Indian Major topographic features such as Soil conditions require soil borings and
reservation land or federal or state high points, low points, ridges, valleys, a soils report which describes soil type
land. Projected changes in this infor- sloped and flat areas involve direct ob- and bearing capacity. Sometimes the
mation require conversations with our servation and recording the informa- soils test is not done until after sche-
client, the appropriate jurisdictional tion on the contour map. matic design so that only the soil in the
agencies, neighborhood associations, area where the building will be located
Drainage patterns also involve direct
previous owners or whatever parties is tested. This is especially true for large
observation. Drainage patterns will sites where only a small percentage of
are responsible for the covenants and always be perpendicular to the site
restrictions. the land will be developed. Soils tests
contour lines. In addition, we should
are normally paid for by the client and
5. Natural Physical Features look for major and minor drainage col- are conducted by a soils engineer or a
The majority of the information in this lectors in the valleys of the site. These
testing laboratory.
category requires direct observation of should be documented in terms of pat-
the site and recording the data over a terns onto our site and off our site. Man-made Features
topographic survey showing site con- On site features are normally included
Permanent bodies of standing or mov-
tours. in the topographic survey done by the
ing water should be recorded over the survey engineer. These would include
Topographic contours are included in contour map. The edge of this water
such items as buildings, walls, retain-
the property survey done by the survey will obviously be one of the contour
ing walls, ramadas, fences, playfields
engineer. Depending on how con- lines and one of the low edges of the
and courts, patios, plazas, drives,
toured our site is, the intervals may site. walls, service areas, curb cuts, power
range from one foot to ten feet. O n very Existing natural features on the site in- poles, hydrants and bus stop shelters.
large sites the intervals may be even cluding trees, ground cover, rock out- The size and location of these features
more. Where we must determine the cropping~,ground surface texture and must be directly measured on site and
contours, we conduct the topographic mounds all require direct observation referenced to some bench mark ele-
survey ourselves. Where we are in- and recording over the contour map. ment on the site. Where exact location
terested only in a general feeling about Where precise location of these is im- is not crucial, their size and location
the slope of the site we may do so by portant we should measure their posi- may be estimated from an aerial pho-
standing at the four corners of the tion in relation to some site reference tograph ofthe site. These may normally
property (where the site size permits) point and record these dimensions on be obtained from a local aerial survey
company or from the municipal plan- a great deal about the movement pat- studying the type of building, the loca-
ning department. terns by talking with neighborhood res- tion of our site in relation to the rest of
Where the internal layout of existing idents. We are interested in who circu- the city and the major street system.
buildings is important it i s best if we lates, why they circulate, when they The characteristics of the users (staff,
can obtain a set of the original working circulate, how many of them circulate, customers, residents, etc.), time of ar-
drawings. If these are not available we where their traffic originates and where rival and departure and probable gen-
may need to actually measure the it terminates. eral approach and departure directions
building and reconstruct -the layout Ideas concerning the ways that existing should be documented.
drawing. pedestrian traffic could be reinforced Specific locations or edges on our site
or facilitated begin to enter the realm of that offer the safest and most conven-
Documentation of architectural ient pedestrian and vehicular access
character of buildings surrounding our site design. These concepts should be
documented on separate diagrams to and egress from our site can be
site can be done by sketching or pho- projected by considering all the circu-
tography together with 'notes that rec- using the existing patterns as an initial
graphic framework. lation data. This begins to enter the
ord our observations and judgments. It realm of design decision but ?everthe-
may be beneficial, for example, to Vehicular traffic on our site, adjacent to less is a valuable judgment to record in
draw the street facades of a set of his- it or in the neighborhood may be re- our contextual analysis.
toric structures for several blocks to searched by direct observation, projec-
record the overall image, formal varia- tions based on magnets andlor previ- Travel times must be studied by direct
tions, rhythm and frequency of forms ous studies done by municipal plan- observation. We must walk the site and
and details. There may also be reports ning or transportation (street load pat- record the time it takes to cross it. We
already done about historic areas terns, etc.). must drive from our site to the related
which document much of this data for locations i n the city and record the
us. The municipal planning depart- Adjacent and nearby parking requires travel times.
ment should know if such reports exist. direct observation. Where the situation
i s particularly complicated we may 8. Utilities
Circulation start our analysis with an aerial photo- Documentation of all utility informa-
Documentation of all streets, roads, al- graph. tion can be done by visiting the respec-
leys, paths, sidewalks, plazas, etc., will tive utility departments and com-
probably already have been done Public transportation routes in relation panies. Often these companies can
under previous site data categories. to our site may be obtained from route give us a print of a drawing which
"Circulation" primarily addresses what maps secured at the departmentof pub- already records the needed informa-
happens on those path systems. lic transportation. This should also in- tion. We need to verify with each utility
clude direct observation for the that these drawings are current and
Data concerning the pedestrian net- specific locations of stops and shelters accurate.
work both on and off site may involve that occur on or near our site.
direct observation, projections based Recording the best connection oppor-
on neighborhood magnets (grocery Directions and paths of arrival and dis- tunities requires an analysis of the util-
stores, etc.) and possibly studies done persal of the users of our building (in- ity data i n relation to the conditi~nson
by municipal planning (downtown pe- cluding the modes of arrival and dis- our site (distances to probable building
destrian traffic, etc.). We may also learn persal) may sometimes be projected by
 sites, relation to contours, barriers, soil collecting this information, we may
conditions, etc.). conduct interviews with a sample of
the neighborhood residents although
9. Sensory
this is relatively inefficient and may not
All information about views on and
produce a real consensus of the neigh-
around our site requires direct observa-
borhood value system.
tion. We may use photographs and
sketches to assist in this regard. Human and cultural considerations
can extend beyond the immediate site
Noise data can be collected by direct
to political processes, city wide issues
experience on the site with the use of
regarding the project and similar fac-
sensing equipment and by studying
tors. The inclusion or exclusion of
noise related data in other information
these issues in our contextual analysis
categories (traffic, surrounding uses,
depends on our view of the meaning of
etc.). It is important to document noise
"project context."
in terms of intensity, source, duration,
schedule and direction. 11. Climate
All climate data is usually available
Odors, smoke and other pollutants re-
from the local weather service. There
quire direct observation and experi-
are also weather profiles for different
ence on the site. Where pollution is
locations which are published by the
large in scale, aerial photographs may
armed services and by universities. It is
help in studying source and direction.
advantageous to interview appropriate
The direction of prevailing winds, how
people about weather trends in an
they change over the day, from day to
area. These individuals may work at
night, etc, i s also important.
the weather bureau, university, airport
10. Human and Cultural or armed service base.
A considerable amount of data can be
The analysis of all eleven data classifica-
obtained from census statistics on the
tions should include future projections to
neighborhood. This information is
the extent that they can be made.
usually available through the local
municipal planning agency. It may be
useful to discuss the human and cul-
tural neighborhood factors with repre-
sentatives of the neighborhood associ-
ations or with social service and recrea-
tional agencies, retail, religious andlor
educational services that operate in or
for the neighborhood population. In
the absence of consolidated sources for
M A K I N G THE DIAGRAMS
-
information ds we collect it-whether we
refine the diagrammatic forms to a more
$**,cD,PCf
,&$;:
.,. ..........~<
- ' - ..,/--, " ' -.

As previously discussed, there are at

least two ways of approaching the dia-
gramming of contextual information. One
involves an integration of thediagrams into
one composite graphic form. The other
separates each contextual fact onto a sepa-
rate diagram.
The composite or integrated approach
attempts to state all the site data on
one drawing to emphasize the total
situation and to sensitize us to the rela- G..
tionships between contextual factors.
This drawing is normally relatively large
in scale to avoid graphic clutter. The poten-
tial difficulty with the drawing is that it
may become too complex and confusing.
This i s particularly true for a complex site.
When we approach our contextual
analysis i n this way we should be sure to
maintain a sense of clarity and hierarchy in
our graphics to ensure that the major site
issues are given the major graphic em-
phasis in the diagrams.
The separated or segregated approach
records the site information separately
 over simplified referent drawings of
the site. The referent drawing is re-
peated as many times as we have data
to present.
This more "itemized" approach helps us to
avoid overlooking a site factor. Further, it
allows each piece of contextual data a
clear uncluttered expression. Because
each diagram has its own referent drawing
L..-
..J C..-.. J EL..A we have the flexibility of shifting the re-
ferent from plan to perspectivetosection or
elevation depending on the type of infor-
mation being diagrammed. It permits us to
think in terms of optimum site concept
responses to each site factor when we
begin schematic design. The potential dif-
ficulty with this technique is that a piece-
meal approach to the graphic recording of
data may foster a piecemeal approach to
design. In deciding whether to diagram in
the integrated or segregated mode we
should think about how we design and
which of these approaches fits most com-
fortably with the way wetend to concep-
tualize our project.
Because it more clearly illustrates the dif-
ferent ways to diagram site data we will use
the segregated approach to discuss some
techniques of contextual diagramming.
Even if we eventually integrate these dia-
grams into one drawing, we may want to
the site data during collection sepa-
rately because this allows us to use smaller,
more convenient referent drawings during
the on site analysis. These separate draw-
ings require us to think about the logical
sequence of the information and how one
piece of information depends on others
(drainage depends on contours, etc.). Referent drawings may be plans, sec- Depending on how far reaching geograph-
As we will see, "purity" in the use of the tions, perspectives, isometrics or ele- ically a particular site factor is, our referent
integrated or the segregated approach is vations. The choice of which of these drawing will extend a greater or lesser dis-
not an issue. We may separate data dia- to use relates to the typeof data we are 'awe beyond our actual site. If we are
grammatically in the integrated approach recording and how best to view it as a discussing the re-
and integrate certain data on a single re- site force (top view, perspective view, ferent drawing may extend several blocks.
ferent drawing in the segregated approach. etc.), ~hili&
We may useany or all of these in thecourse
REFERENT DRAWINGS
of a contextual analysis. The sizes of the
The referent drawings over which we dia- referent drawings depend on the complex-
gram the site issues may occur in several ity of the diagrams we will be making
forms and at several scales. They will also and the extent to which we may want to
contain differentamountsofdetaildepend- miniaturize the diagrams for convenience
ing on the contextual information being in data collection or for presentation.
addressed.
A large percentage of site data seems to be -I L
planpriented. Normally, a typical referent 5hd
drawing i n plan w i l l include the, site
boundaries and street pattern immediately
adjacent to the site.
We must be sure to make the referent
drawing as simple as possible keeping
in mind that the data to be recorded
over it must be graphically bolder and
more important than the referent in-
formation. II II""-'
If we are using line for the referent drawing
the line weight should be very light. The YPfrenf
referent must alwavs be in the background
graphically in our contextual analysis.
=@??;$$
Once we have made one referent draw-
~ ~ ~
m%$@j

ing it is useful to reproduce it by copy

machine to avoid having to draw it multi-
ple times. We are then ready to diagram the
site issues. . .

DIAGRAMMATIC FORMS
The diagrammatic forms which are
juxtaposed over the referent drawings
may be representing physical things,
qualities or conditions of physical
ihines. actions and activities.'oaiterns -
V
o
- -,
thataie not immediately evicle'nt, tem-
poral issues, human issues, etc. Our
diagrammatic forms must be able to
record and express both the visible and
the invisible forcest Pressures, prob- Some example diagrammatic forms are tions and alternatives. We should keep in
lems, o ~ ~ o ~ t uand~ ~ mandates
t ~ e s of presented on the following pages using a mind that there are many other graphic
the site. fictitious site. The examples will show possibilities as well as opportunities to
We are also interested in diagramming fu- Some typical ways of diagrammatically create combinationsand synthesesof these
ture or potential contextual issues. presentingsite information and some varia- diagramming examples.
Contextual Analysis for a New Office Building, Tallahassee, Florida
 Location
aLo&ufl dfie+/it f i e +h+e-.
67 yyitd

, ------- --. \

'
\
,, *
9 ,-., i I? .....j '. ...
,,.".."".'
............ ! I
.
.+
:....,

:</-
."... .
:,,, 1 : . .,
;,$:$;;;I.
.:;!&,
,:::;:*,<,;fFj/iY
.'.,
$,;$$p
,
"': .
i
,..-. .
,->
;
0 . : ;2

.?
>:;ztz;--:
..;;i: ,%:;.).
,..,. ,
........ ,
a ,-;
.
....
i.. i
)....I
2

i A"
......... ..i

. .....
.....
..._.-.........
........ ...- c ~ . , ' ,.-<
...... . . . .

..
:
.,
.. .,,J
i-\ ....l
,..
?-./
,-...,
%% 2 .
-8'6 " :.*
i
...........,
. .._,
....? ;
..i
I..
.\
i
B"'cg.D,..:;:... ........
, .. %

.";
..............
p2<
,a
! : :
....... .
r' ~