Site Analysis and

Synthesis
ARCH307 – Introduction to Landscape Architecture
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Payam MAHASTI
Assist. Prof. Dr. Nezire ÖZGECE
Analysis; What?
• A detailed examination of anything complex in order to
understand its nature or to determine its essential features : a
thorough study
• An architectural site analysis process will look at issues such as
site location, size, topography, zoning, traffic conditions and
climate. The analysis also needs to consider any future
developments, or changes to the site’s surroundings, such as a
change of road designations, changing cultural patterns, or other
significant building developments within the area.
• A contextual analysis is a research activity that looks at the existing
conditions of a project site, along with any imminent or potential future
conditions. The purpose is to inform us about a site prior to the start of our
design process so that our initial design thinking about a site can
incorporate considered responses to the external conditions.
Analysis; Why?
• Prior to starting any design, your client will want to know whether
construction on the site is viable. Carrying out an extensive site
analysis [or context analysis] will assess whether development is
financially feasible, and establish parameters to implement the best
design that responds to the physical and environmental features of
the site.
What kind of Information?
• Our analysis data can be split into two main categories; Hard data and
soft data
• Soft data looks at site conditions that can be changed. Hard data
looks at more concrete elements such as site boundaries, site areas,
utility locations, contours, dimensions, site features, climate, legal
information.
VISITING THE SITE
• Camera – essential
• Smart phone
• Notebook
• Initial map of the site
• Tape measure
• Good weather!
• Check List
DIAGRAMMING YOUR FINDINGS
• The best way to present much of
the data you have collected is
through diagrams. There are
varying approaches to
expressing the features of the
site, some prefer to include as
much information as possible on
one diagram, while others will
produce a number of smaller
diagrams to demonstrate
particular site conditions or
features.
DIAGRAMMING YOUR FINDINGS
• You can represent data from
your site visit in plans, elevations
and sections, isometrics or
perspectives. Be sure to choose
the best option for the date you
are trying to explain.
EVALUATING YOUR SITE VISIT; The Site
• Street patterns • Natural and man made
• Street section • Movement and circulation within
• Scale and the and around the site
hierarchy/form/space • Vehicle vs. pedestrian
• Land use • Access
• Typologies • Public space vs. private space
• Neighbourhood relationships, • Open space
formal street variation • History Climate – sun angles and
• Perspective relationships, views sun shadows
• Edge conditions, surfaces and • Negative and positive spaces – we
materials move through negative spaces and
dwell in positive space
EVALUATING YOUR SITE VISIT; The Building
• Massing
• Structure
• Circulation
• Axis
• Symmetry
• Scale and proportion
• Balance
• Regulating lines
• Light quality
• Rhythm and repetition
• Views
• Geometry
• Hierarchy
• Enclosure
• Space/void relationship
PRESENTING YOUR SITE ANALYSIS
Site Analysis
ANALYSIS TOPICS TECHNIQUES & TOOLS
METHODS
Topographical features
Analysis of the

Environment

Soil Maps
Landscape - Vegetation Surveying techniques Tables
Plantation – Flora / Fauna
Natural

Charts
Water Digrams
Climatical Features
Locational analysis Documentary research Maps
Data collected from
books, maps,
Historical analysis Documentary research documents;
Inventory forms can
also be used to
document buildings,
streets, etc. of historic
value
Physical Form of development Morphological analysis Maps
ironment

analysis 3D drawings
Solid-void relations Figure – Ground Maps
Street pattern; Urban analysis Street silhouettes
 ANALYSIS TOPICS TECHNIQUES & TOOLS
METHODS
Topographical features

Analysis of the

Environment
Soil Maps
Landscape - Vegetation Surveying techniques Tables

Site Analysis Plantation – Flora / Fauna

Natural
Charts
Water Digrams
Climatical Features
Locational analysis Documentary research Maps
Data collected from
books, maps,
Historical analysis Documentary research documents;
Inventory forms can
also be used to
document buildings,
streets, etc. of historic
value
Physical Form of development Morphological analysis Maps

Analysis of the Man-made (Built) Environment

analysis 3D drawings
Solid-void relations Figure – Ground Maps
Street pattern; Urban analysis Street silhouettes
spaces in terms of their 3D proportionate or
quality, enclosure, Linkage theory scaled sketch drawings
character, activities Photographs
Urban Elements of the area Lynch analysis Maps
pattern such as paths, nodes, Photographs
analysis edges, landmarks and 3D sketch drawings
districts
The gap sites and Lost space analysis Maps
vacant plots of land, Photographs
streets or spaces
requiring definition or
redefinition
With sketch and
measured drawings and
Architectural evaluation Site surveying photographing;
information gathered on
tables, inventory forms
for all buildings
Technical infrastructure Documentary research Maps and reports
Accessibility / Permeability / Traffic and Maps
Traffic Circulation transportation survey
Functional Maps presented with
analysis Functional distribution Landuse survey appropriate coloring
and technique
Demographic structure of the citizens, users of / Questionnaire survey Tables
o-
 An
measured drawings and
Architectural evaluation Site surveying photographing;
information gathered on
tables, inventory forms
Site Analysis Technical infrastructure Documentary research
for all buildings
Maps and reports
Accessibility / Permeability / Traffic and Maps
Traffic Circulation transportation survey
Functional Maps presented with
analysis Functional distribution Landuse survey appropriate coloring
and technique
Demographic structure of the citizens, users of / Questionnaire survey Tables
Analysis of the Socio-

within the area Interviews Graphs

The existing economic activities and employment Bar-charts
pattern
Environment

The existing laws and regulations Documentary research Documents

economic

The current local authority/government policies Laws, regulations

The official and non-official stakeholders in Interviews Tables
conservation activities Questionnaire survey Graphs
Bar-charts
 factors influencing landscape design
process theory design
it synthessizes planning and elements
analysis with project
requirements

• project programming • proportion & scale • plants

analyzing requirements, • balance - functional uses
priorities • unity - architectural
and user needs • harmony - visual effect
• line • inert (inorganic-
• site analysis • emphasis natural) material
• contrast • landforms
• concept design • variety • site amenities (konfor)
• repetition • circulation
• form • water features
• texture
• colour
 site analysis & site synthesis

ANALYSIS → SYNTHESIS
 site analysis

• the process of site analysis is usually initiated with the

investigation of the region.

• site visitation, aerial photography, analysis of existing and

proposed conditions.
main topics to be searched in site analysis:

• location
• buildings and vacant areas
• plant material
• topography
• circulation
• infrastructure
• environmental factors
 location
• location of the city including
relationship to roads, cities,
landmarks, etc.

• location of the site

neighbourhood in the city.

• location of the site in the

neighbourhood.

*aerial photographs and maps

help in this assessment stage.
 site analysis
buildings & plant topography circulation infrastucture environmental
vacant material factors
areas

- buildings: soft (one of the accessibility sidewalks sun direction

* functions landscape most of the area
* entrances elements important power wind direction
* heights (trees, factors) vehicular
* facades shrubs, traffic drainage views & vistas
groundcovers level (good iews /
- vacant etc.) differences pedestrian street bad views)
areas: traffic furniture
* determination existing barriers
* potential stairs parking area lighting
spaces to features north direction
propose new ramps etc.
activities
buildings & vacant areas
plant material
topography
circulation
infrastucture
environmental factors
site analysis & site plan example
 site synthesis
• after completing site analysis, synthesis stage initiates.

• synthesis is the process of evaluating the collected data

in the site analysis.

• the evaluation includes determination of the positive and

negative sides of the site and initiates the design.

• 6 main issues discussed in the site analysis must be

evaluated one by one.

• after completing synthesis, stage of preliminary design

initiates.
 site synthesis
buildings & plant topography circulation infrastucture environmental
vacant material factors
areas

- functions : - existing - level - primary, - existing - the use of

appropriate or plant differeneces: secondary features: landscape
any changes? material:
stairs and and teriary appropriate? features in
appropriate?
- entrances of ramps for routes of new relation to
Buildings: affect - any plant circulation? design? - new north, sun and
design? material to be solutions? wind directions.
preserved? - entrance to (lighting,
- height of the site? seating, etc.)
buildings:
appropriate for
enclosure? - location of
landmarks,
- facade of focal points?
the buildings:
appropriate?

- vacant areas:
appropriate for
new activities?