Architectural Design I-2192

Site Analysis
Lecture II
 Site Analysis

The process of surveying or studying the

existing environment and how it will influence
the structure’s design and layout on the site.
Site Analysis involves :-
-taking an inventory of site elements Gather
relevant information about site
-Analyze these features relative to the clients
needs & aims and incorporate them into the
design
Diary of the Architect
It was almost 2PM when I left my office to visit Mr Smith’s site for residence. As the site was located in the
suburb, it took me half an hour to reach the place. After pulling the car along the front side of the site, the first thing that
caught my attention was the old eucalyptus trees grown on the site busy noisy
bordering the
road. As I walked through the temporary fence across the cooling shades of the tress, I saw the beautiful city
centre that I left a while ago. The cool breeze that comes from the city is bliss for a hot
afternoon of like this. Looking at the scenic view across the down sloping terrain of the back side of the compound, I
thought for a while if this is one of the reasons that convinced Mr Smith to buy the plot. It could be considering his taste for
visual arts. When I got back to the car, I was reminded of global warming and Copenhagen. The sun ray coming
directly through the windscreen was the culprit.

2PM

Busy and noisy

Site Analysis
 Physical Factors
 Topography
 Soil
 Geographic location
 Climate
 Solar orientation
 Prevailing winds
 Plant material
 Water
 Cultural and man-made
features
 Zoning Ordinances
 Codes
 Historical values
 Sensory Factors
 Views
 Sounds
 Smells
Physical Factors
Topography
Three key attribute maps can be derived from a
topographic survey.
Elevation -effects both drainage & visibility pattern.
-Determines the size & spatial configuration of
local view sheds
Slope reflects the local area’s geology, climate.
 A slope’s orientation ,or aspect, is the direction the slope
faces.
Variation in slope and aspect influence the amount of solar
radiation received by the site& drainage patterns
Physical Factors
Topography
Physical Factors
Topography
Effects of Slope on Building Design
Physical Factors
Topography
Contour lines are imaginary lines in plan view
that connect points of equal height above a
datum or bench mark.
Each contour line represents the form in
which the site acquires over a specified
elevation.
Contour lines are continuous and never
intersect each other. They change in shape,
but never in elevation.
Physical Factors
Topography

Subsurface Features
– Geology: Geological history of the area, bedrock
type & depth etc.
– Hydrology: Underground water table, aquifers,
springs etc.
– Soil Genesis: erosion susceptibility, moisture
(pF), reaction (pH) organic content, bearing
capacity etc.
Physical Factors
Topography
All buildings rely on soil for their ultimate
support.
The underlying foundation is effected by the
soil’s
The strength.
soil type affects:-
the type and size of a building’s
foundation system
the drainage of ground and surface
water
the types of plant material able to grow
on a site
Physical Factors
Topography
Bearing capacity :-Measure of soil strength in killo
gram pre square foot

• Factors that determine bearing

capacity of soil
• Stratification ( class i.e.. coarse and fine
grained)
• Density of soil bed
• Variation of soil particle
• Composition of soil
• Water content
• permeability
Physical Factors
climate
Atmospheric conditions that may influence
land planning and design includes
•Temperature (max. min. day/night temperature
variations)
•Humidity (high, low & averages)
•wind (max. average velocity & direction)
•Rainfall (precipitation, annual rain)
•Solar radiations (solar intensity & orientation)
Physical Factors
Wind and sun
Physical Factors
Wind and sun

Solar orientation
Sun angles
Duration of the day
Cloud cover
Shading of (0r from)
adjacent structures
,natural features and
vegetation
Physical Factors Site Analysis- Sun Angles
Wind and sun
Physical Factors
Wind and sun
Physical Factors
Wind and sun
The Angle of the Sun varies during the
seasons, this is due to the tilting of the earth’s axis as
it rotates around the sun. Actually, the earth is closer
to the sun in winter but the northern hemisphere is
tilting away from the sun.
Physical Factors
Wind and sun
Exterior devices are better than interior devices, they
intercept sun’s radiation before it reach the surfaces
of the building.
Physical Factors
Wind and sun
Physical Factors
Wind and sun

 Wind break
Physical Factors
Plant Material

The types and locations of plant materials

affect:
 the site’s micro-climate
 Solar radiation, wind, humidity, air
temperature
 the definition or visual screening or
exterior spaces
 the absorption or dispersion of sound
Physical Factors
Plant Material
Physical Factors
Plant Material
Physical Factors
Plant Material
Physical Factors
water body
• Surface drainage pattern and direction(
on and off the site)
• areas of concentrated runoff, ponding,
possible flooding.
• The location of existing storm water
controls such as easements, trenches,
etc.
• Location of any watercourses, creek,
wetlands, stream etc., on the site or any
within the surrounding
 Cultural & Man-made
Features

– Utilities: sanitary, water supply, telephone,

electrical etc.
– Historic values: archeological sites,
landmarks, building type, size, condition
– Circulation: linkages an transit roads, auto &
pedestrian access, mass transit routes etc.
– Social Factors: population, intensity,
educational level, economic & political
factors, ethnicity, cultural typology etc.
 Cultural & Man-made
Features
land use;-zoning code (restrictions)
 Minimum site area requirements
 commercial, industrial residential etc.
 Building height limits
 Set back requirements
 Lot coverage
- floor area ratio(fat)
- open space requirements
Sensual Factors
sensory and human aspects of the site that
usually involve value judgments.
spatial Pattern: type of neighborhood, best
approaches to the site, existence of human
activity
 views to and from the
 existence of odors
 existence Sound pollution
Natural Features: significant natural features of
the site, water elements, rock formations.
Site potential and traits (challenges)
Example……..
Sun Altitude and Azimuth
3d model of site analysis
3d model of site analysis + building
 Conclusion…

 To achieve a successful design, site analysis is

a must & should be done carefully.
 Good building responds to the inherent
qualities of the site and transforms the site
from row land to places for human enterprise
 Site selection evaluation and design are
important ingredients in any successful project