Architectural Site analysis

An architect's most useful tools are an eraser at the drafting board, and a wrecking bar at the
site.
Frank Lloyd Wright

SRISHTI DOKRAS
B.Arch. (Institute for Design Education and Architectural Studies) Nagpur India
Visiting Architect, Australia & USA

Consultant - Design and Architecture, Esselworld Gorewada International Zoo

Largest Zoo in India

Summary
Site analysis is a preliminary phase of architectural and urban design processes dedicated to the study
of the climatic, geographical, historical, legal, and infrastructural context of a specific site. This
analytical process results in a summary, usually a graphical sketch, which sets in relation the relevant
environmental information with the morphology of the site in terms of parcel, topography, and built
environment which is useful as a starting point for the development of environment-related strategies
during the design process. The Plan, then, allows a comprehensive view of the constraints and
opportunities of the development site and is used to develop an understanding of the site and its context,
and the resulting constraints and opportunities for development. This paper examines the morphology
and anatomy of the site analysis process.

One of the most common question we are asked as students is ‘how do we develop an architectural
concept? The design process can be daunting to us, as new students who often find it difficult to get a
direction in their design. We are constantly asked, ‘what is your concept?’ by our tutors, and respond
by staring blankly back at them. An architectural concept starts with an understanding of the site-its
length, breath, history geography, Up down and all around. Every site is unique and will
consist of many complex elements such as: varying topography, watercourses, trees,
plants, habitats, and weather patterns to name a few. All of which will and should

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influence an architect’s design process and decision -making. The appropriate analysis
of these elements will initially help det ermine the buildings placement, orientation,
form and materiality, but then , later, go on to influence its structure, sustainability
and procurement route, providing a vital foundation and crucial starting point for any
architectural project.

The process of "Site Analysis" in the "architectural design process" methodology is considered as a
categorical and critical process in many design decisions that affect the final product. Therefore, it is
essential to highlight on the site analysis process goals in an integrated and comprehensive method A
Site Analysis Plan is a land survey plan used to gain an understanding of your site and its context, and
the resulting constraints and opportunities for a development. Site analysis plans also form a basis for
good site planning, including for retaining desirable landscape elements, establishing building
footprints, determining building orientation, and protecting heritage fabric. They can show several
features, such as underground pipes, roads, parking, lighting, and landscaping.

Use of a site analysis plan?

Site analysis plans can help you in designing and constructing effective developments. As mentioned
above, site analysis plans help you with planning to keep specific landscape features, determine
orientations, and protect various elements of your site. Yet many times the challenge before us as
Architects is to complete a design, prepare a project that is presentable to the client without the
evaluation of the objective site criteria.

Site analysis plans also assist in the following:

 Creating a private space for you and your neighbours,

 Planning use of natural light and ventilation for a greener environment,
 Maintaining of existing character within your urban environment,
 Minimising land disturbances during your construction, and
 Making cost effective developments in relation to services and existing land uses.

You may also require a site analysis plan as they are often a Municipal council or Urban Land
development requirement. These requirements assist the council in assessing proposed properties and
developments of their region and understanding them is critical to getting a hang of the assignment.

The Plan, then, allows a comprehensive view of the constraints and opportunities of the development
site and is used to develop an understanding of the site and its context, and the resulting constraints and
opportunities for development. It forms the basis for good site planning, retention of desirable landscape
elements, establishing building footprints, determining building orientation, and protecting heritage
fabric. It forms the basis for a designer to develop a proposal that utilises the positive aspects of the site
and ameliorates the negative aspects. When to Prepare A Site Analysis Plan should be prepared at

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Concept Meeting or Pre-Lodgement Meeting stage to facilitate the most productive discussion about a
development proposal. A comprehensive Site Analysis Plan must be lodged with a Development
Application. The detail of the Site Analysis Plan should be tailored to the site and complexity of the
proposed development

Many of us as architects understand its significance influence on architectural work, however they
sometimes deal with it as description for site data such as; determining wind direction, showing the sun
virtual movement and project land with its level in relation to the surrounding roads, and other data that
are usually included for what is metaphorically called site analysis process. This is true as a part of
analysing process, yet in order for site analysis issue to become an advantage, there is need to study it
thoroughly especially by students who want answers to the question what is an architectural concept.
Therefore, architectural creativity is about creating a project that accomplishes its goals, takes
advantage of all advices in the best way to generate new ideas. Thus, this study serves as a
“monitor” on the mechanism of the “Site. “Generally, design will comprise of a series of thought
processes for the Site comprising of actions as follows:

1. Research phase: The first step is defining the problem and its definition. This is part of the research
phase. The site design and site planning process begin with the initial problem to be solved. This is
started by a client contracting a planner to work with a particular site.
2. Analysis phase: The next step involves programming the site as well as site and user analysis, which
is focused on in-depth below. There are numerous site elements related to the analysis during this
phase. This is part of the analysis phase in site planning.
3. Synthesis phase: From the analysis, a program is developed, which is part of the synthesis phase.
This third step deals with schematic design of a site plan as well as a preliminary cost estimate for
the site.
Step 4: involves more developed designs and a detailed cost estimate.
Step 5 is the construction documents or the plan.
Step 6: Bidding and contracting for the project follow.
Step 7: Construction .
Step 8: The final step, step eight, in the site design process is occupation and management of the
site.

The process of Site analysis is the first stage. There are other sub-divisions or processes within the site
analysis design Process: Which means that design process methodology including its sub- processes
and their logical sequence are divided into stages according to execution of each stage. In order for site
analysis to achieve its goals in reflecting the architectural design as a an appealing “product” site
analysis needs be done on three stages. Methodology is the” Preparation Stage” follows the” Feasibility
Study” and determines requirements and appropriate land nuances to accomplish its mission.

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Site Data Monitoring
The site is the land assigned for constructing with its environmental and urban surrounding. Monitoring
related and affecting data on the project as a building, function, visitors and operators is monitored,
where such data is presented in the following three main components:

A. Land Geometrical Data

B. Content and surrounding of natural Data
C. Content and surrounding of Man-made data

A. Land Geometric Data is the Total area, dimensions, geometric shape, morphology and geology.

1. Total area:
One of the most important data and essential statement that allow professional architect to
establish his designed product, and define the percentage of design area and available space
according to conditions, client requirement or program need.

2. Dimensions:
Are the landsides lengths of a straight and curved land aspects (if any), as well as the lengths
of diameters according to survey. This method allows the designer to draw the correct land
shape by a scale in line with the design requirements or terms for approval, making a decision,
or licensing purposes beside the project owner reviews.

3. Geometry:
Is the final architectural form for the designed land formed by the external sides that define the
site according to its limits.

4. Morphology:
Means the shape of land surface, with which topography is verified. Besides, it bears certain
impression on land form, whether with plain or rugged terrains, with gentle or sharp slopes,
with calculated slopes, levels fit in proportion to surrounding levels.

5. Geology: Means soil nature, its layers composition on different depths and strengths with
measuring water table and establishing proposal levels. It describes the structure of the Earth on
and beneath its surface. All this will shape the structure.

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 B. Content of the site and surrounding of natural Data:
This comprises of Climate, sun path, wind condition, flora and fauna life, wildlife studies (oceans,
rivers, mountains, forests and deserts), natural views, natural resources (water, energy and materials).

1. Climate: It is the natural surroundings of the land presented in the following:

Maximum and minimum temperature average in summer and winter, average of relative
humidity, rainfall average, sky clearness hours throughout the day, and average of atmospheric
pressure.

2. Sun path: The relative position of the Sun is a major factor in the heat gain of buildings and
in the performance of solar energy systems. Accurate location-specific knowledge of sun path
and climatic conditions is essential for economic decisions about solar collector area,
orientation, landscaping, summer shading, and the cost-effective use of solar trackers . The sun
appears as if it moves round its centre following an imaginary path with a constant inclination
angle all year round. It occurs in the east then rises up in the middle of the sky (the meridian)
with inclination to the south, then to the west. On the one hand, the eastern and western points
approach the north; as a result, we have a long day. On the other hand, eastern and western
points diverged in winter; as a result, we have a short day.

3. Wind condition: It is necessary to monitor the wind condition with respect to its direction,
air quality, properties, and velocity. Often the prevailed wind is that in a certain direction, as
well as seasonality carrying dust, particles, or temperature in the other direction, or with air
velocity, blowing breezily, or stormy. It may be also be affected by seasonal tempest.

4. Wildlife: Plants and animals in their natural habitat can be obstructive and disruptive to
building activities and need removal. If rare they could make the land a " natural “, or a bio-
reserve where the authorities will forbid buildings activities except under authorized regulations
and conditions. In other cases, one may consider a balanced eco-system to include an aesthetic
and functional angle to the site.

5. Landscapes: Some sites have natural and environmental elements that add aesthetic and
visual features on various levels. These landscapes might be ordinary, beautiful or fascinating.
They exist in marine, river, desert, woods or in the mountains. Site can also be part of these
and share a view. Such views maybe available inside or around the site. Site environment is
maximized whenever they adopted with the nature and function of the required project on the
land.

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C. Natural environmental studies: every environment has features that effect the design decisions.
Through studies on suitable environment for land project, one can understand the advantages and
disadvantages that effect the building function and form. These studies may vary depending on the
qualities of natural environment for the land. Thus, the study stages are as follows:

For establishing summer resorts or marine sports facilities, marine environment studies must be
undertaken if the land is located at sea or in proximity to marine environment. The study should be
made for sea waves and their heights, the tide movement, the seashore standard, in addition to marine
safety for diving and swimming. Handling erosion and sedimentation phenomena, identifying sea level
rising phenomena, the sea-bed typography, the annual average of sea currents movements and
directions.

i)Nature studies: Some projects are established in mountain environment, woods and riverbanks
or desert environment. These sites enjoy a contradictory climate through day and night in respect of
high temperature and humidity, with rain scarcity, change in wind directions and severity most of times.
All needs to be studied to ascertain impact on the final product

ii)Natural resources: Analysing natural resource data during site analysis helps in the possibility of
exploiting the resources in construction, landscaping, energy production and helps providing the project
requirements. Natural resources are resources that exist without actions of humankind. This includes all
valued characteristics such as magnetic, gravitational, electrical properties and forces, etc. On Earth it
includes sunlight, atmosphere, water, land (includes all minerals) along with all vegetation, crops and
animal life that naturally subsists upon or within the heretofore identified characteristics and substances.

Particular areas could be characterized by the biodiversity and geodiversity existent in their
ecosystems. Natural resources may be further classified in different ways. Natural resources are
materials and components that can be found within the environment.

Every man-made product is composed of natural resources (at its fundamental level). A natural
resource may exist as a separate entity such as fresh water, air, and as well as any living organism such
as a fish, or it may exist in an alternate form that must be processed to obtain the resource such as metal
ores, rare earth metals, petroleum, and most forms of energy. There is much debate worldwide over
natural resource allocations, this is particularly true during periods of increasing scarcity and shortages-
(depletion and overconsumption of resources. Identifying the available natural resources in the site
helps in providing some of the project needs with a minimum spending, while maintaining some of the
non-renewable resources as much as possible. Studies in the following fields; water tables, river water
and rain, the level of solar purity, wind speeds. In addition to the quantities and qualities of sandy stone
or rocky sand stone can assist

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C. Content and surrounding of Man-made data comprise of Roads, walkways, urban spaces,
buildings and facilities, infrastructure, landscape.

1. Transport network: Roads network for vehicles are the main and sub arteries for cities, zones,
distracts, sites, and supply channels to the infrastructure. Roads are classified in a hierarchical
type as (highways, circular, arterial, main,). Each road lane is determined by a maximum speed
and width. Whether pedestrian sidewalks, islands, and possibility of parking either parallel,
perpendicular or angular, is provided. Designated areas for public transport stations, with lighting
posts, roads signs and streetscape according to its level. Each piece of land should overlook a road
at least and maybe more. Each road has defined specification according to road hierarchy. Inside
he lands, internal roads might be existed and linked to the environment, thus the decision to keep
or remove them depends on the project nature and its compatibility with the proposed design.

2. Walkways: Pavements surrounding or locating in the ground are the walkways for pedestrians.
They follow hierarchy system, with lighting, streetscape, slopes or declined stairs in case of they
are at different levels.

3. Urban spaces: land project is surrounded by multi-elements, besides, road spaces, pedestrian
walkways and relevant spaces for the adjacent facilities. Urban spaces with certain activities are
classified according to their functions as follows:
A. Square: are a type of an urban space where human practice their external activities, or
contribute to distinctive visual perception relying upon physical determinants, human
feelings or accumulated experiences and seasonal memories. Each of them characterized
by respective proportions, scale, and control level. They often have landscape elements
with its determined function, as sometimes associates with one facility or more.
B. Public parks join the field characteristics defined as a space: however, the space is
characterized by identified recreational activity, visual prosperity with multi functions.
C. Playgrounds are spaces for sports activities to release the youth energy and give fun for
kids. It also serves as a natural view.
D. Urban space is a set of elements and checkpoints that achieve certain geometric conditions
in a spatial zone or a three-dimensional one. It is limited to certain boundaries and
recognized by these limitations or feelings among visitors, or the experience of residents.
E. Buildings and facilities: Land project is surrounded by other lands on which variety
of facilities and buildings are established on in terms of size and structural
proportion of the land, beside activities practiced on. As well as each of them has a

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 certain level of noise and pollution, with a certain traffic congestion caused by the
place in relation to neighbouring roads or number of visitors and vehicles.

One of the main characteristics of the buildings surrounding the land of the project is the type or
the architectural style, which convey its features, level of details and quality of materials within.
In addition to the archaeological heritage classification, if any. In addition, you can study places,
spaces openings, their trends and relation to the land of the intended project, the quality of the
accompanied spaces activities, so that you can determine the type and level of visual and auditory
privacy. You also must locate primary and secondary entrances, both for pedestrians and cars.

It is likely that the same previous characteristics must be studied for a facility or a building that
exist in land project, so that you determine its relations with the new project and its harmony
among them in case you decide to join it to the land.

Infrastructure: Neither urban areas, nor architectural buildings with variety of residential,
commercial, administrative activities, public and governmental services can be established
without providing such assemblies with infrastructure elements, of network services and
stations, which often extended as pathways under the road ways to provide plots with main
supplies on the site. These facilities vary such as electricity supply, energy and gas, water supply
lines for drinking, household chores and industrial, communications lines and sewage networks,
sites having electricity converters, gas stations, water pumps or pumping stations and sewage
treatment. Sometimes sites have electricity cables towers with high and medium tension. Water
tower or tanks can be established on the site, as well as introducing new renewable energy
sources available as solar and wind sources.

The availability of these facilities, all or some of them, must be recognized when analysing the
site. And collating with our need to serve objectives of the proposed project. Landscape elements:
landscape elements are available to play many roles in levering aesthetical and functional aspect site
performance as they are classified into the following:
A. On the one hand, natural constructed element is considered not classified under natural
environmental elements, but as a constructed element. such element is established deliberately
such as tress, bushes, water ponds, palms, flowers, and green areas, according to a deliberate
clarified, coordinated system or organic one achieving a certain task, or covering a functional,
aesthetical or social role. On the other hand, landscape elements include man-made objects
such as road lighting posts, gardens, parasols, benches, water fountains, traffic signs,
advertisements, and variety of finishing elements like floors, walls and mural paintings,

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 meanwhile some are fixed e.g. stairs, curb stones, aesthetic forms, and landmarks. Numerous
elements go into a given site analysis. These elements include
location, neighbourhood context, site and zoning, legal elements, natural physical features,
man-made features, circulation, utilities, sensory, human and cultural,
and climate components. The following elements typically are considered in most sites:

B. Location: The site should be related to major streets or landmarks previously

existing. Aerial photographs help in this assessment stage. There should be
documentation of distances and time from major places. This should be completed by
either driving or walking the distance first-hand.
C. Neighbourhood context : Zoning of the neighbourhood is important and information of this
type can typically be found at the municipal planning department of the site. Numerous
issues at this stage require direct observation. Features of this sort include architectural
patterns, street lighting, and condition of existing buildings. This would also include the
immediate surroundings of the site. The reaction of the surrounding buildings towards the
site and people moving around should be analysed. Other important components of the
neighbourhood context include an analysis of existing paths (pedestrian, cyclist, and
vehicle), landmarks and nodes. Landmarks are distinctive sites that provide way-finding
for people in the area, and which define the character of a neighbourhood. Nodes are key
public gathering places that encourage people to linger and socialize.
D. Site and zoning: Site boundaries can be located by either verifying the dimensions
physically or contacting the county tax assessor’s office. Zoning classifications, set-backs,
height restrictions, allowable site coverage, uses, and parking requirements are obtained by
obtaining zoning classifications from a zoning map, which can be located from the city
planning department.
E. Infrastructure, social, and political boundaries.
F. Legal: Typical legal information can be obtained from the deed to the property. The deed
is held by the owner of the title insurance company. In the deed is information such as the
property description, present ownership, and the governmental jurisdiction the site is
located in, and the city or county.

Site Natural physical features: Most of this information will be derived from the topographic
features on the site. A contour map of this magnitude can be located from the survey engineer.
Drainage problems as well as existing natural features of trees, ground cover, ground texture, and
soil conditions on the site should be directly observed.

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 a. Manmade features: Features located on the site such as buildings, walls, fences, patios, plazas,
bus stop shelters should be noted. The site and location of such features should be directly measured.
Documentation of existing historical districts should be made, some of which may already have
reports completed. Locating this information can be done through the municipal planning
department for the site.

circulation: The uses of streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks, and plazas are important in this inventory
step. It is not necessarily an analysis of these elements but more an analysis of what occurs on these
circulation gateways.

utilities: Information for utilities concerning the site can be found through the utility departments
and companies in the local area. Generally, the company has a print of the drawing of this
information needed. Information in this print includes the location of all utilities and their locations
around or on the site itself.

sensory: Much of the sensory information collected will be done through first-hand experience. The
information is obtained from sketching and photographs (sometimes aerial photographs). Direct
observation of other sensory elements of noise, odours, smoke, and pollutant areas must also be
completed.

human and cultural: This information can be obtained through census statistics on the
neighbourhood. Information regarding these statistics is available from the local municipal planning
agency. This information includes activities among people on the site and their relationships to
these activities.

climate : This information can be obtained through the local weather service or any third party
services such as EasySiteAnalysis (https://easysiteanalysis.com). Conditions such
as rainfall, snowfall, humidity, and temperature over months must be considered and analysed. The
sun-path and vertical sun angles throughout an entire year are important to note.

The building industry is forever changing and the planning schemes and requirements are becoming
more and more complex, making development daunting. The more highly detailed and accurate the
site feature surveys, the better in limiting the stress of the planning and building permit stages.
Whether you’re an experienced land development professional, building/planning industry consultant
or contemplating your first renovation/development, proper Site Analysis is a must.

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