ARC 1402 - Week 11 Lecture Notes

Far Eastern University 2nd Semester 2020-2021
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
WEEK 11 MODULE: SITE ANALYSIS AND CLIMATIC FACTORS EFFECTS IN RESIDENTIAL

BUILDING DESIGN
Topics to be discussed:
1. site analysis in residential design. ·

2. types of land such as rolling terrains, steeps, near body of water, etc. ·
3. design strategies and develop creative design solutions that are unique and workable ·
4. Case Studies: Analyzing Site Context, Land Type, and Climate (sun-path, wind approach, noise source,
utility source, etc.) and how it affects the following: Site Planning Concept for Residential Projects
INTRODUCTION:
Site Planning is defined by Kevin Lynch as “the art of arranging structures on the land and shaping the spaces
between; an art linked to architecture, engineering, landscape architecture and city planning.” (Site Planning)
Harvey M. Rubenstein defines it as ”the art and science of arranging the uses of portions of land. These uses are
designated in detail by selecting and analyzing sites, forming land use plans, organizing vehicular and
pedestrian circulation, developing visual form and materials concepts, readjusting the existing landforms by
design grading, providing proper drainage, and developing the construction details necessary to carry out the
projects”. (A Guide to Site and Environmental Planning, 1980)
In site planning, as in other forms of problem-solving, the critical thinking process of research, analysis and
synthesis makes a major contribution to the formation of design decisions.
• Research material may be gathered from existing projects, books photographs, or experiments. A
program is then formulated and the elements required to develop the project is listed.
• Analysis of the site shall consider all existing features, both natural and man-made in order to determine
those inherent qualities that give a site its ‘personality’. A topographical analysis is mandatory.
Emphasis should be made on the site’s relationship with the total environment and its special values or
potentials.
There are two methods of establishing a SITE:
1. SITE SELECTION PROCESS

This process selects from a list of potential sites one that suits best the given use and requirements of
the project.
2. DEVELOPMENT SUITABILITY PROCESS

This process selects the best possible use and development suited for a given site.
SITE ANALYSIS
-it involves the study of the site in terms of the following:
Natural factors
1. Geology
2. Geomorphology – physiography, landforms, soils, drainage, topography and slopes, and soil erosion
3. Hydrology – surface and ground water
4. Vegetation – plant ecology
5. Wildlife – habitats
6. Climate – solar orientation, wind, and humidity.
ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

Cultural factors:
1. Existing land use – ownership of adjacent property, off-site nuisances

2. Traffic and transit – vehicular and pedestrian circulation on or adjacent to site
3. Density and zoning – legal and regulatory controls
4. Socio-economic factors
5. Utilities – sanitary, storm-water, water supply, power supply, and communications.
6. Historic factors – historic buildings, landmarks, and archeology
Aesthetic factors:
1. Natural features
2. Spatial patterns – spaces and sequences
3. Visual Resources – views and vistas

THE NATURAL FACTORS

GEOLOGY is the natural science that studies the Earth – its composition; the processes that shaped its surface;
and its history. Earth is made up of rocks (including soil, sand, silt and dust); rocks are composed of minerals;
minerals are made up of atoms :
Igneous Rocks – rocks produced by crystallization from a liquid.
Sedimentary Rocks – when igneous rocks are exposed to surface and weathering reduces them to particles,
these particles are moved by erosional process and deposited in layers into rivers and oceans .
Metamorphosed Rocks – when sedimentary rocks are pushed to deeper levels of the earth, they transform into
metamorphosed rocks due to changes in pressure and temperature .

GEOMORPHOLOGY - is that branch of Geology that deals with the origin, nature and distribution of landforms.
Physiography – refers to the description of landforms.
Landforms – are irregularities on the earth’s surface. They are derived from volcanic, glacial, or erosional
processes.
When designing a piece of property for architectural, landscape architectural and engineering usage, it is
essential for the designer to first confront the nature of the land, particularly its form, its slopes, and its inherent
capabilities for surface and subsurface discharge of water, for supporting vertical and horizontal structures, and
for resisting erosion. This exercise requires four basic geomorphologic information such as :
• Soil Properties – Composition and Soil Texture
• Drainage
• Topography and Slopes
• Soil Erosion
In site planning, it is important to establish the relationship between soil composition and land uses (other than
agriculture). Soil surveys help guide in site selection for residential, industrial, and other forms of development
that involve surface and subsurface structures.
Several features, or properties, are used to describe soil for use in site design. Of these ---
1. COMPOSITION
2. TEXTURE
are generally the most meaningful; from them we can make inferences about bearing capacity, internal drainage,
erodibility, and slope stability.
SOIL PROPERTIES:
1. BEARING CAPACITY FOR ROCK AND SOIL MATERIALS
2. Class 3. 4. Material 5. Allowable

Bearing Value
(psf)
6. 1 7. Rock 8. Massive crystalline bedrock, e.g. granite, 9. 200,000

gneiss
10. 2 11. Metamorphosed rock, e.g. schist, slate 12. 80,000
13. 3 14. Sedimentary rocks, e.g. shale, sandstone 15. 30,000
16. 4 17. Soil 18. Well compacted gravels and sands 19. 20,000
materials
20. 5 21. Compact gravel, sand/gravel mixtures 22. 12,000
23. 6 24. Loose gravel, compact coarse sand 25. 8,000
26. 7 27. Loose coarse sand; loose sand/gravel 28. 6,000

mixtures, compact fine sand, wet coarse sand
29. 8 30. Loose fine sand, wet fine sand 31. 4,000
32. 9 33. Stiff clay (dry) 34. 8,000
35. 10 36. Medium-stiff clay 37. 4,000
38. 11 39. Soft clay 40. 2,000
41. 12 42. Fill, organic material, or silt 43. (fixed by field

tests)
44. Source: Code Manual, New York State Building Code Commission
1. COMPOSITION refers to the material that makes up soil:
a. Mineral Particles:
i. Mineral Particles comprise 50% to 80% of the volume of the soil and form the all
important skeletal structure of the soil.
ii. Sand and gravel particles provide for the greatest stability, usually yield a relat-ively
high bearing capacity,
iii. Bearing capacity is a soil’s resistance to penetration from a weighted object such as
a building foundation. (see table above)

b. Organic Matter - varies radically in soils and usually imposes a limitation to any building
structure. Organic matter is important only for soil fertility, moisture absorption and retention
and for landscaping.
c. Water content varies with particle sizes, local drainage, topography and climate. Most water
occupies the spaces between particles; only in organic soils do the particles themselves
actually absorb measurable amounts of water.
d. Air is what occupies remaining space that is not occupied by water. In layers where
groundwater is formed by gravity water in the subsoil and underlying rock, there is absence of
air.
2. TEXTURE - is the term used to describe the composite sizes of particles in a soil sample.
*There are 12 basic terms for texture, at the center of which is Class LOAM, which is an intermediate mixture of
40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay.

DRAINAGE:
GOOD DRAINAGE refers to the soil’s ability to transfer gravity water
downward through:
1. Infiltration - the rate at which water penetrates the soil surface
(usually measured in cm or inches per hour);
2. Permeability - the rate at which water within the soil moves through
a given volume of material (also measured in cm or inches per
hour)
3. Percolation - the rate at which water in a soil pit or pipe within the
soil is taken up by the soil (used mainly in wastewater absorption
tests and measured in inches per hour)
POOR DRAINAGE - means that gravity water is not readily transmitted by the soil and soil is frequently or
permanently saturated and may have water standing on it caused by :
1. The local accumulation of water ;

2. A rise in the level of groundwater within the soil column;
3. The size of the particles in the soil being too small to transmit infiltration water.

TOPOGRAPHY AND SLOPES

SLOPE ANALYSIS - Understanding slope forms for site design requires understanding of local geologic, soil,
hydrologic, and vegetative conditions.
SLOPE FORM - is expressed graphically in terms of a slope profile, a silhouette of a slope drawn to known
proportions with distance on the horizontal axis and elevation on the vertical axis
Four basic slope forms are detectable on contour maps: Straight, S-shaped, concave and convex.

ANGLE OF REPOSE - angle at which soil can be safely inclined and beyond which it will fail.


TOPOGRAPHIC MAP – a map of a portion of the earth that describes the shape of the earth’s surface by
contour lines.
7,000
6,000

Contours – are imaginary lines that join points of equal elevation
on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface
such as the mean sea level.
Contours make it possible to measure the height of mountains,

depth of the ocean bottoms, and steepness of slopes.
SLOPE ANALYSIS - is an important analytical process made on a topographic map that makes a proper match
between land uses and slopes and produces an overall pattern of slopes which helps the site planner in
determining the buildable portions of the site.
The process involves breaking down of topography into grades which will establish the desired patterns for a
given land use as in the following example :
SLOPE PATTERN for ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL

CAMPUS
0 – 5% Generally flat Highly buildable

5 – 10% Gently rolling Moderately buildable
10 – 15% Gentle to mild Moderately difficult to build
15 – 20% Mild to steep slopes Difficult to build
20% and over Harsh, steep slopes Unbuildable
In the analysis of the slopes, the distances for each Slope Pattern
are computed from the given topographic map, for use on the
Slope Map.
To compute the Distance of a slope from a topographic contour

map:
D distance = (contour interval / % Slope) X 100
D distance = (10 meters / 5%) X 100

D distance = 200.00 m for slope pattern 0-5 %
*This distance unit will figure in the graduated scale that will be
constructed for use in the slope map.
A Slope Map is prepared to visually express these slope patterns on the topographic map. Here’s how to:
a. Establish the site boundaries on the map.
b. Make a constructed graduated scale on the edge of a cardboard sheet, representing the distances of
each slope pattern (using same scale as the topo map).
c. Place the scale on the map (see illustration above) and mark the edges where the scale matches the
distances between contour lines.
d. Color- or hatch-code each area delineated by these edges.

The result is a colored or gradient-hatched SLOPE MAP.
DESIRABLE SLOPES – when slopes are selected according to building type and the activities associated with it.
-- Flat or gently sloping sites are preferred for industrial and commercial buildings
-- Hilly sites are preferred for fashionable suburban residences.

Slopes influence the alignment of modern roads according to class of roads; the higher the class, the lower the
maximum grades allowable.
SLOPE REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIOUS LAND USES
Land Use Maximum Minimum Optimum
Housing Sites 20% - 25% 0% 2%
Playgrounds 2% - 3% .05% 1%

Public Stairs 50% --- 25%
Lawns (mowed) 25% --- 2% -- 3%
Septic Drainfields* 15% 0% .05%
Paved Surfaces
Parking Lots 3% .05% 1%
Sidewalks 8% 0% 1%
Streets and Roads 15% -- 17% --- 1%
20 mph 12%
30 mph 10%
40 mph 8%
50 mph 7%
60 mph 5%
70 mph 4%
Industrial Sites
Factories 3% - 4% 0% 2%
Lay Down Storage 3% .05% 1%
Parking 3% .05% 1%
* Special drainfield designs are required at slopes above 10 to 12 percent.
SOIL EROSION – when rocks are broken down (weathered) into small fragments, and carried by wind, water, ice
and gravity. Energy for this process is solar and gravitational.

PREVENTION
Four factors to consider in forecasting erosion rates:

Vegetation | soil type | slope size and inclination | frequency and intensity of rainfall
1. Vegetation:
• Foliage intercepts raindrops

• Organic litter on the ground reduces impact of raindrops
• Roots bind together aggregates of soil particles

• Cover density, in form of ground cover or tree canopy, decreases soil loss to runoff
2. Soil Type:
• Intermediate textures like sand will usually yield (erode) first

• To erode clay, the velocity of the runoff should be high enough to overcome cohesive forces that bind
the particles together
• Similarly, high velocities would be needed to move masses of pebbles and particles larger than those of
sand

3. Slope Size and Inclination:
• The velocity of runoff is closely related to the slope of the ground over which it flows. Slopes that are
both steep and long produce the greatest erosion because they generate runoff that is high in velocity
and mass.
• Slope also influences the quantity of runoff since long slopes collect more rainfall and thus generate a
larger volume of runoff.
4. Frequency and Intensity of Rainfall:

• Intensive rainfalls produced by thunderstorms promote the highest rates of erosion.
• Accordingly, the incidence of storms plus total annual rainfall can be a reliable measure of the
effectiveness of rainfall in promoting soil erosion.
HYDROLOGY– the natural science that studies the Waters of the Earth, their occurrence, circulation and
distribution, their chemical and physical properties, and their reaction to the living environment including their
relation to all living things.

Hydrologic cycle – or the planet’s water cycle, described by the movement of water from the oceans to the
atmosphere to the continents and back to the sea .
Water table – is the upper boundary of the zone of groundwater; the top of unconfined aquifer.
Aquifer – A permeable geological stratum or formation that can both store and transmit groundwater in
significant quantities.

Watershed – a geographic area of land bounded by topographic features and height of land that captures
precipitation, filters and stores water and drains waters to a shared destination. Knowledge of watershed
boundaries is critical to water quality and storm water management.

VEGETATION:
The relevance of Plant Materials in site planning is in their role in :
1. Climatic control
a. Solar Radiation – is Earth’s source of light and heat. It warms the earth’s surface, is reflected by
paving and other objects, and produces glare.
o Trees are one of the best controls for solar radiation because:
§ they block or filter sunlight;
§ they cool the air under their canopies providing natural air conditioning;
o Scientists have recorded that with an air temperature of 84deg F, surface temp of a
concrete paving was 108 deg, while surface temp under shade trees were 20deg lower.
b. Wind – helps to control temperature. When winds are of low velocity, they may be pleasant, but
when velocity increases, may cause discomfort or damage. Trees help to buffer winds in urban
areas caused by convection and Venturi effects.
c. Precipitation . Plants help to control precipitation reaching the ground. By intercepting rain and
slowing it down, they aid in moisture retention, and in the prevention of soil erosion. They also help
soil retain water by providing shade, or protection from the wind, or by water shedding function of
trees’ roots.
2. Environmental Engineering
a. Air Purification – Plants clean air through the process of photosynthesis where they use up
carbon dioxide emissions of cars and trucks and in the process release oxygen into the air.
Trees also help filter out other pollutants, i.e. sulfur dioxide, dust, pollen, and smoke.

b. Noise – To understand noise:
o The sound level of normal conversation is about 60 decibels; a plane taking off
produces 120 decibels at a distance of 200 ft. Sound energy usually spreads out
and dissipates in transmission. Sound waves can be absorbed, reflected or
deflected.
o Plants absorb sound waves through their leaves, branches, twigs, especially
those with thick fleshy leaves and thin petioles.
o Tree trunks deflect sounds and it has been estimated that a 100 ft. depth of forest
can reduce sound by 21 decibels.
c. Glare and Reflection – Plants reduce glare and reflection caused by sunlight. A light source
received directly produces primary glare while reflected light is secondary glare. Plants may be
used to filter or block glare by use of plants with the appropriate size, shape, and foliage density.
d. Erosion Control - Vegetation with extensive root systems imparts stability to slopes.
o On sandy slopes, the presence of woody vegetation can increase the angle of repose by 10
to 15 degrees.
o Vitiveria ziziainoides or Vitiver Grass ‘miracle’ grass of amazing bio-engineering
capabilities.

3. Architectural and Aesthetic Uses
a. Space Definition - as wall elements to form outdoor spaces, as canopies to provide shade, or as
ground covers to provide color and texture on the base plane.
b. View Control – While trees and shrubs can screen out objectionable views, they can also provide
backdrops for sculpture and fountains.
Additionally, they may provide filtered views of buildings or spaces, or frame a view, maximizing its
effect.
c. Mood – Plants affects peoples’ moods.
WILDLIFE:
Wildlife relates closely to habitats provided by plant communities. The three groups of habitat elements essential
to the different species of wildlife are:
1. Openland Wildlife – includes birds and mammals commonly associated with crop fields, meadows,
pastures, and non-forested lands. Habitat elements essential for openland wildlife include:
a. Grain and seed crops
b. Grasses and legumes
c. Wild herbaceous upland plants
d. Hardwood woody plants
2. Woodland Wildlife – These species need various combinations of:
a. Grasses and legumes

b. Wild herbaceous upland plants
c. Hardwood woody plants
d. Cone-bearing shrubs such as pines.
3. Wetland Wildlife – wetland species include birds and mammals needing habitats with:
a. Wetland food plants or wild herbaceous plants of moist to wet sites, excluding submerged or
floating aquatic plants;
b. Shallow water development with water impoundments not deeper than 5 ft.;
c. Excavated ponds with ample supply of water at least one acre and average 6ft depth.
d. streams
CLIMATE:
Climates can be generally classified into four types: COLD, TEMPERATE, HOT ARID and HOT HUMID.
In each, a site should be investigated in terms of:
a. Solar orientation for buildings;
b. The best facing slopes; and
c. Wind flows for breezes.
a. Solar orientation

b. Best facing slopes
• Temperatures vary with elevation – by about 3 deg for every 1000 ft. (300m) in the daytime.
• The more perpendicular a slope is to the rays of the sun, the warmer the surface
temperature.
c. Wind Flows for breezes.
• Abrupt forms cause unpleasant air turbulence.

• Smooth forms induce smooth flow of air.

SITE PLANNING CONCEPT USING NATURAL FACTORS:
PASSIVE COOLING – the technology of cooling spaces through proper siting of structure and use of energy-
efficient materials, with the overall objective of energy conservation.
• Solar Orientation
• Altitude
• Topography
• Vegetation
• Water Bodies
•

THE CULTURAL FACTORS
EXISTING LAND USE:
Land Use Plans are available in each city and municipality to determine the areas for commercial, institutional,
industrial, residential, and open space uses. These were planned according to the most rational use of land in
relation to the natural and socio-economic factors, and in accordance with compatibility with adjacent land uses.
Each site must conform to the land use plan: a residential subdivision, for example, cannot be developed in a site
designated as Industrial.
TRAFFIC AND TRANSIT SYSTEMS:
• The relationship of traffic pattern to each other and to the site must be studied for adequacy of access
and efficiency of circulation within and outside of the site.
• Efficient traffic and transportation systems will result in successful integration of the different
developments in the vicinity.
• Direction of dominant traffic flow, both vehicular and pedestrian will also help establish points of highest
visual impact for the site.
• Access must also consider pedestrian movement.
DENSITY AND ZONING:
• Density refers to the population per unit land area. This data will determine whether existing utilities and
land areas will be sufficient to sustain additional future development, which will naturally add to the
existing population and bear on the capacity of these utilities.
• Density is expressed in number of families or dwelling units per hectare. It may also be expressed in
Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
• Density influences the privacy, social contact among people, and freedom of movement of an individual
or a group of people.
• Zoning regulations, laws and codes are present in every city and municipality to regulate the type of
development. It divides the city or municipality into land use areas that are designated by building
height, building coverage, density of population, and open space.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS:
• The study of the community and its social and economic structures are done to determine
whether there is a need, an interest, or any objections on the project.
• Any proposed project must be compatible with the economy of the particular community. For
example, a high-end boutique is hardly suitable in a low-income community.
• The social structure of the community must be taken into consideration to ensure that a
proposed development will not result in any displaced families, and any major disruption in their
businesses and other activities.

UTILITIES / SERVICES:
It is important to determine the existing availability of utilities on site in terms of adequacy and efficiency. This
includes:
• Sanitary/sewage system
• Electric power supply
• Water supply
• Drainage
Most water systems will supply domestic, industrial, and fire stand-by supply from a distribution system. Storm
drains collect surface water and conduct it to rivers, creeks, or other bodies of water.
HISTORIC FACTORS:
1. Historic Buildings
2. Historic Landmarks
3. Archeology

THE AESTHETIC FACTORS
NATURAL FEATURES:
When sites are characterized by outstanding natural features

of earth, rock, water or plant material, these may be
incorporated in the site development as natural assets of the
land.
SPATIAL PATTERNS:
Spatial pattern is defined as the way an open space of a given site is configured according to an arrangement of
elements that evoke activity or flow, both physically or visually.
VISUAL RESOURCES:
1. View – is a scene observed from a vantage point.

• A view can be a theme that may suggest and give added meaning to buildings.
• The full view is not always the best view.

2. Vista – is a confined view, usually directed toward a terminal or dominant feature. It has three components: a
viewing station, a view, and a foreground.
• A view is usually better if enframed or seen

through an appropriate screen.
SAMPLE OFSCHEMATIC SITE ANALYSIS

REFERENCES
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Far Eastern University 2nd Semester 2020-2021

Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts

WEEK 11 MODULE: SITE ANALYSIS AND CLIMATIC FACTORS EFFECTS IN RESIDENTIAL

1. site analysis in residential design. ·

There are two methods of establishing a SITE:

1. SITE SELECTION PROCESS

2. DEVELOPMENT SUITABILITY PROCESS

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

1. Existing land use – ownership of adjacent property, off-site nuisances

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

THE NATURAL FACTORS

Igneous Rocks – rocks produced by crystallization from a liquid.

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

Physiography – refers to the description of landforms.

• Soil Properties – Composition and Soil Texture

1. BEARING CAPACITY FOR ROCK AND SOIL MATERIALS

2. Class 3. 4. Material 5. Allowable

6. 1 7. Rock 8. Massive crystalline bedrock, e.g. granite, 9. 200,000

10. 2 11. Metamorphosed rock, e.g. schist, slate 12. 80,000

13. 3 14. Sedimentary rocks, e.g. shale, sandstone 15. 30,000

23. 6 24. Loose gravel, compact coarse sand 25. 8,000

26. 7 27. Loose coarse sand; loose sand/gravel 28. 6,000

32. 9 33. Stiff clay (dry) 34. 8,000

35. 10 36. Medium-stiff clay 37. 4,000

38. 11 39. Soft clay 40. 2,000

41. 12 42. Fill, organic material, or silt 43. (fixed by field

1. COMPOSITION refers to the material that makes up soil:

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

1. The local accumulation of water ;

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

TOPOGRAPHY AND SLOPES

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

Contours make it possible to measure the height of mountains,

SLOPE PATTERN for ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL

0 – 5% Generally flat Highly buildable

To compute the Distance of a slope from a topographic contour

D distance = (contour interval / % Slope) X 100

D distance = (10 meters / 5%) X 100

d. Color- or hatch-code each area delineated by these edges.

-- Hilly sites are preferred for fashionable suburban residences.

SLOPE REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIOUS LAND USES

Land Use Maximum Minimum Optimum

Housing Sites 20% - 25% 0% 2%

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

Lawns (mowed) 25% --- 2% -- 3%

Septic Drainfields* 15% 0% .05%

Parking Lots 3% .05% 1%

Streets and Roads 15% -- 17% --- 1%

Lay Down Storage 3% .05% 1%

* Special drainfield designs are required at slopes above 10 to 12 percent.

ARC 1402: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 2

Four factors to consider in forecasting erosion rates:

• Foliage intercepts raindrops

• Roots bind together aggregates of soil particles

• Intermediate textures like sand will usually yield (erode) first