Architectural Design IV

ASE 361

Lecture 1- Introduction
Site Analysis:
Site Analysis Steps

1 Research
2 Analysis
3 Synthesis

current physical condition and its find relationships between the These data points inform the design
surroundings, also any relevant disparate data. Some prefer a parameter and decisions along that
historical information about what the visual analysis while others process and each of these steps is
site looked like. use a more iterative applied during the schematic design
diagramming of the site and programming phase.
analysis.
 Site Analysis:
1. Location

 Relate the site to major streets or landmarks.

 These can be produced at different scales and
allow us to trace the neighborhood streets and
facilities from the photo.
 Documentation of the distances and travel times
must be analyzed.
Site Analysis:
2. Neighborhood Context Zoning for the site

Which require direct observation.

 These include architectural patterns,
 solid-void relationships, significant buildings,
 fragile situations,
 street lighting,
 and the condition of the buildings.
 landscaping areas and heights.
 Building heights and areas must be estimated by
direct observation with perhaps the aid of
photography.
 The local transportation or traffic plan
Site Analysis:
Site Analysis:
3. Site and Zoning

3.1. Legal

Most of the legal information about the site including

the legal description,
 covenants and restrictions and
 property owner
 Sometimes there may be special jurisdictional
issues
 Site Analysis:
3. Site and Zoning

3.2. Natural Physical Features.

 Determine the contours

 Permanent bodies of standing or moving water should be recorded
over the contour map.
 Existing natural features on the site including trees, ground cover,
rock outcropping~, ground surface texture and mounds all require
direct observation and recording over the contour map.
Opinions and judgments about the value of natural site features may be
recorded in the form of notes around the map where the features are
recorded.
 Soil conditions require soil borings and a soils report which describes
soil type and bearing capacity.
Site Analysis:
 Site Analysis:
3. Site and Zoning

3.3 Man-made Features

These would include such items as buildings, walls, retaining

walls, ramadas, fences, playfields and courts, patios, plazas,
drives, walls, service areas, curb cuts, power poles, hydrants
and bus stop shelters.
The size and location of these features must be directly
measured on site and referenced to some benchmark element
on the site. Where exact location is not crucial, their size and
location may be estimated from an aerial photograph of the site.
Site Analysis:
4- Circulation Documentation

of all streets, roads, alleys, paths, sidewalks, plazas, etc.,

"Circulation" primarily addresses what happens on those path
systems.

why they circulate, when they circulate, how many of them circulate,
where their traffic originates and where it terminates.

Ideas concerning the ways that existing pedestrian traffic could be

reinforced or facilitated begin to enter the realm of site design.
Site Analysis:
5. Sensory

All information about views on and around our site requires

direct observation.

use photographs and sketches to assist

Noise data can be collected by direct experience on the site with

the use of sensing equipment and by studying noise related data
in other information categories (traffic, surrounding uses, etc.).
It is important to document noise in terms of intensity, source,
duration, schedule and direction.

Odors, smoke and other pollutants require direct observation

and experience on the site. Where pollution is large in scale,
aerial photographs may help in studying source and direction..
Site Analysis:
6. Human and Cultural

It may be useful to discuss the human and cultural

neighborhood factors with representatives of the
neighborhood associations or with social service
and recreational agencies, retail, religious.
Site Analysis:
7. Climate

 Sun path diagram

 Wind analysis
 Temperature
 Rainfall
 Site Analysis:
Check List:

Site and surroundings Neighborhood context

•Location
•Look at existing and proposed building uses in the neighbourhood
•Site location details (road names, address, major landmarks etc)
•What condition are the buildings in?
•Current context – existing buildings, car parking, road
•Are there exterior spaces and what are they used for?
•Are there activities in the neighbourhood that may create strong vehicle or
pedestrian traffic?
•Existing vehicle movement patterns, major and minor roads, bus routes and
stops.
•Street lighting
•Vernacular context, materials, architectural features, fenestration, landscaping,
parking, building heights
•Any nearby historical buildings, or buildings of particular significance
•Sun and shade patterns during the year
•Building context – what style, period, state of repair are the surrounding
buildings? It is a historical/heritage/conservation area? Will your design need to
reflect the existing style?
•Is the site close to listed buildings?
•Surfaces and materials around the site.
Site Analysis:
Check List:

Site and Zoning Natural Features

•Site boundary and dimensions •Topography of the site, valleys, ridges, slopes etc.
•Any rights of way through the site and the •Vegetation – landscaping, greenery, shrubs and trees,
dimensions open spaces.
•Any easements location and dimensions •Site levels. How will this affect your design process? How
•Buildable area of the site does the site drainage work, would there be any potential
•Any building height restrictions problems with drainage?
•Access to the site – car parking, bus routes, train •Soil types on site
train stations, cycle routes, pedestrian walkways.
•Access to site for construction – will there be any
any obstacles or restrictions that could affect the
construction process?
Site Analysis:
Check List:

Circulation
Man made features
•Circulation – how do visitors/pedestrians/traffic to or near the site flow around or
•What was the previous use of the site? Would there
within it.
be any contamination concerns?
•Accessibility – current provisions of disabled access to the site and how will this
•Are there existing buildings on the site – what is their
need to be considered.
their state of repair? Is there any sign of subsidence
•Does the existing pedestrian movement need to be preserved?
or settlement damage?
•What is the vehicle peak load and when?
•Are the existing buildings part of the project?
•Public transport close to the site
•Any walls, retaining walls on the site, or other built
•Locations of best access to site for both vehicles and pedestrians
items
•Travel time to walk across the site
Site Analysis:
Check List:

Utilities Sensory
•Location of all services: electricity, gas, water, •Views – where are the best views to and from the site.
sewer, telephone. This includes both •What are the views of?
underground and above ground. •Mark out the positive and negative views.
•Location of power poles. •Which is the most likely feature aspect?
•Drainage •Look at views towards the site from different approaches to see how the site
•Sub-station would be seen when drawing near to the site. What are the best views of the site,
and would these change in the long term?
•Noise, odour and pollution – is the site in a particularly noisy area? Or near
industrial buildings that produce levels of pollution. Is it near a facility that creates
smoke?
Site Analysis:
Check List:

Human and Cultural Climate

•Negative neighborhood issues such as vandalism and •Orientation of the site.
crime. •Weather – how does the weather affect the site? Is it well shaded,
•What are the attitudes towards the site and the potential exposed?
potential build? •How does the temperature, rainfall etc vary throughout the year?
•What are the general neighborhood attitudes about the •What are the prevailing wind directions throughout the year?
area? •What is the sun path throughout the different times of the year, and
•What are the cultural, psychological, behavioral and day.
sociological aspects of the surrounding area?
•What is the population, density, family size, ethnic
patterns, employment, recreation activities etc.
Case Study Analysis:
Check List:
The Building
Think about how your proposal is going to link in with the site, and how the site
will connect with the building. Make a few notes about each of the points below
about what you are looking to achieve.
•Massing
•Structure
•Circulation
•Axis
•Symmetry
•Scale and proportion
•Balance
•Regulating lines
•Light quality
•Rhythm and repetition
•Views
•Geometry
•Hierarchy
•Enclosure
•Space/void relationship
 Faculty of
Engineering