SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

BAGUIO CITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING &
ARCHITECTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
Second Semester AY 2022 -2023

CLASS CODE: 3688

AR 3271 - PLANNING 1
SITE PLANNING & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
SCHEDULE : 9:00- 10:30 TW ROOM : H704A / GCLASSROOM

RESEARCH TOPICS:

1. Impact of Built or Natural Environment

2. Site Clearing and Site Grading
3. Cut Fill and Back fill
4. Case study of related site & project development

STUDENT:

DAMASEN, CASSIE LEIGH R.

BS ARCHITECTURE 3

PROFESSOR:

ARCH. VIC A. QUIJANO

ARCHITECT UAP
Impact of Built or Natural Environment

 Land-use

Urban areas tended to be small and condensed in the early 1900s, with a
strong central business district and industrial facilities serving as important
employment centers. Communities frequently had a variety of residences as
well as services like shops and were walk able. Urban areas of today are large,
and employment is frequently distributed across a large area. People must rely
on cars to go to jobs and services due to the separation of residential and
business areas and the unfriendly environment for pedestrians. There are many
causes for these abrupt shifts in urban form, including rising incomes,
preferences in living styles, and public policies that have aided these trends in
housing, taxes, and transit spending. The degradation of water supplies and
water quality, as well as habitat loss and fragmentation, are all direct effects
of present development patterns on the environment. Building on
undeveloped ground degrades and fragments habitat, which causes wildlife
communities to be displaced or eliminated.

 Mobility

The amount of travel by vehicle has significantly increased recently. The use of
vehicles has expanded in response to development trends. Walking, bicycling,
or taking public transportation is challenging for the majority of trips due to
low-density development and the considerable distances between homes,
places of employment, schools, and stores. Even over short distances, using a
vehicle is more convenient and secure than walking or riding a bicycle
because of urban design features that prioritize the automobile, such as big
surface parking lots, broad streets, and a lack of sidewalks.

The degradation of air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, increasing threat of

global climate change, and noise are some of the environmental effects of
car use and dependence. The environment and human health are seriously
threatened by automobile emissions. Water quality is also negatively
impacted by the atmospheric deposition of car emissions into bodies of water.
Water quality is also negatively impacted by the atmospheric deposition of
car emissions into bodies of water.

 Hydrology

A watershed's natural drainage patterns are altered by development. The

volume and rate of surface water runoff increase when impervious area
increases due to development. Local flooding occurs more frequently and
with greater severity as a result of increased peak discharges, shorter lag times
between storms, and increased runoff. Floods are followed by prolonged
periods of below-average stream levels because the quicker runoff limits the
percolation of water that would typically fuel regular stream flow. Increased
channel sedimentation, stream bank erosion, and decreased stability are
frequently effects of higher flows.

If storm water from developed regions is not regulated, streams could

become two to four times wider than they were before urbanization.
Increased erosion can increase sediment pollutant loads, which can have a
variety of effects on receiving waters, including decreased water storage
capacity, reduced dissolved oxygen for aquatic organisms, decreased light
penetration, an increased need for dredging, higher water treatment costs,
pollution buildup, and harmful effects on fish and shellfish.

 Water

Temperatures of the surface water may quickly rise as a result of heavy runoff
from heated paved surfaces and rooftops. Stream temperatures may also rise
as a result of discharges from storm water management systems, which store
collected runoff in ponds without shade. Fish and other aquatic creatures can
suffer from elevated temperatures. Warmer water stores less oxygen, which
may damage habitat and make the water more vulnerable to pollutants that
demand oxygen.

 Green house

Since the ecosystems of the planet are unable to absorb such high levels of
these gases, greenhouse gases from human sources pose a threat to alter the
atmosphere of Earth. One of the main greenhouse gases released by humans
is carbon dioxide (CO2). Global climate change, commonly known as "global
warming," can result from the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
and is one effect of which is an increase in the average atmospheric
temperature. Global climate change could have dramatic effects. Such
changes might affect ecosystems, natural habitats, human activities, and
patterns of land use. Global economics and ecosystems may be severely
impacted by global climate change.
Site Clearing and Site Grading

 Site Clearing

- As part of preparing the area for a building or demolition project, site

clearing is the act of eliminating debris to ensure that an area is free from
hazardous items, other barriers, and a big mess. Any construction project's first
step, site clearing, entails getting rid of anything on the property that might
obstruct the construction process. This covers bushes, plants, rocks, and other
trash. Site clearing aims to establish a construction site that is suitable for the
project, enabling the construction crew to begin work on constructing the real
structure.

The majority of lands and construction sites are not prepared for a building to
be erected on them. Site preparation is comparable to priming a surface
before painting in that it improves the final product. Without site clearing,
crews will be working on uneven ground that may include debris that could
prevent them from laying down strong foundations and achieving the
project's final objective. Before beginning construction, the team must clean
the site, even if there is little debris on the property. Building sturdy and strong
structures will be considerably more difficult without clearing the ground.
Additionally, an uncleared area presents numerous risks to workers that may
result in unanticipated accidents and incidents on the job site.
Equipment needed:

 Excavators

 Bulldozers

 Tractors and backhoes

 Stump grinders

 Mulchers

 Skid steer loaders

 Site Grading

- Adjusting the slope and elevation of the soil surrounding a house or other
structure is known as site grading. Site grading can be done to level the
ground and create a sturdy foundation prior to building or remodeling.
Grading may be necessary for existing buildings to enhance drainage and
produce the ideal appearance for landscape features.

 Provide the desired aesthetics of the property

 Ensure proper drainage
 Comply with zoning and other regulatory restrictions and requirements
 Establish allowable height and depth of cuts, fills, and swales
 Protect the environment with consideration for stormwater runoff,
potential pollutants, and erosion

Grading and site preparation are crucial for construction projects because
they affect nearby residences or other structures in addition to the structure
being built. Water runoff may move toward the structure due to improper
grading rather than being properly directed away. When water collects
around or beneath the foundation, hydrostatic pressure can result, causing
structural damage. Inadequate grading might also cause water or pollutants
to be directed onto nearby properties, putting the builder or owner of the new
facility in legal jeopardy. Additionally, erosion can cause property damage. To
prevent issues brought on by faulty grading or a failure to comply with land
grading regulations, many planning and zoning jurisdictions need approved
grading plans prior to starting construction.
Types of Grading in Construction

 Landscape grading – The process of modifying a land area to change

water flow patterns or otherwise change property elevations is known as
landscape grading. To ensure effective drainage and to get the greatest
results, the job must be done correctly.
 Architectural Grading – For a new house, housing development, or
commercial property, modifying the land's contours entails removing
unwelcome elevations, preparing the ground for foundations, and
accommodating suitable drainage.
 Regrading – Regrading entails changing a land area's elevation levels. This
may involve a modest project or a huge region.
 Finished Grade – Finish grading in landscaping refers to completing the
project's final contour and forming the required area in order to get it
ready for sodding, seeding, or planting. Finish grading entails giving the
grading project one last polish. After removing undesired detritus such
huge boulders, soil pieces, and other objects, the surface is smooth.
  Rough Grading – Rough grading is the process of establishing a slope or
leveling a space for tasks like landscaping, establishing a foundation for turf
growth, or addressing drainage problems. Topsoil placement, removal, and
addition are all examples of this. This phase also provides the correct soil
composition, establishes the drainage flow, and moulds the land to the
ideal basic shape and elevations.
 Final Grade – In order to finish the grading project, the area must be
covered with screened topsoil or a comparable material.

Equipment needed:

 Bulldozers

 Motor graders

 Compactors

 Skid steer loaders

 Excavators
Cut Fill and Back fill

 Cut Fill

Cut: This is the earth that is removed from an area (excavated earth)

Fill: This is the earth that is brought into an area (embankment earth)

- It is common practice on construction projects to remove earth from one

location and use it as fill in another in order to level slopes and create cuttings,
canals, and embankments. Techniques for this surgery have a number of
distinct advantages, but the time and money they save are by far their most
alluring features. Fill material transportation to a construction site takes time
and can drastically increase project costs. Any project's environmental impact
is reduced because no off-site, secondary excavations are necessary. On
large sites with complex topography, cut and fill operations are typically
carried out in accordance with plans calculated by specialized software
programs.
When constructing a building on a slope, the material that was cut away
from the slope at the building's footprint area is used to fill the gradient
beneath that area. Retaining walls commonly condense these fillings and
keep them inside. The main objective of cut and fill excavation is to conserve
mass as much as possible. When there is more cut than fill, project managers
must find a place to dump extra rock and soil, whereas when there is more fill
than cut, they must bring dirt in from another location. Costs for additional
materials, labor, and equipment occur from both of these results. Cut and fill
techniques are designed to keep cut mass and fill mass about equal in order to
prevent adding or subtracting surplus mass.

 Back Fill

- Backfilling is the practice of reclaiming the space that was dug up around a
foundation or building. Usually compacted to give support and stability, the
backfill material might range from dirt to gravel. Additionally, backfill can be
used to enhance drainage or insulate foundations. After pouring the
foundation and running the utility lines, backfilling is a crucial step in the
building process.

Main purpose of backfilling:

 To increase the strength of the foundation to resist all the load coming from
the superstructure.

 To provide support to the foundation of the structure.

 To increase the overall stability and performance of the entire structure.

Types of Backfill Materials

1. Coarse-Grained Soil: One of the most often used types of backfill is coarse-
grained earth. Sandal soil and gravel-mixed soil are examples of coarse-grained
soil. It mostly consists of combinations of gravel and sand, with very little fine
particles.
2. Fine Graded Soil: As a backfill, you can utilize finely graded soil with low to
medium plasticity. This includes lean clays, gravelly clays, and fine sands that are
silty or clayey.

3. Commercial By-Products: There are also a number of commercial by-

products on the market that can be used as backfill materials. Fly ash and
furnace slag are examples of commercial by-products. If available locally, these
materials can be used to reduce the overall cost of backfilling.

4. Controlled Low Strength Material: Cementitious substance known as

controlled low strength material, or CLSM, is mostly used for backfilling. Such
material flows easily, has low strength, and self-compacts.
Case study of related site & project development

Site Analysis and Feasibility Case Study – Custom Residential

GOALS OF THE STUDY

Our clients bought a property on Fishers Island, NY with the intent to build a
house for use first as a family vacation spot, and eventually a full-time home.
They wanted to know what they could build there, as-of-right to zoning
regulations.

Our goals for this feasibility study were to find the best location on the long
narrow site for a new structure, given views to the Long Island Sound on one side
and expansive views to the inner island on the other:

 Survey and create a site development plan with site parameters – zoning
setbacks, existing septic, views, neighboring buildings and existing trees
 Build to all zoning regulations (as-of-right), to avoid off-island meetings
and hearings as much as possible
 Determine the best orientation and size of the house given water views to
the North and island views to the South
 Size and design a vacation home for a family that could also be used as a
permanent home in the future
 Locate the house so that the existing cabin could be utilized during
construction, if possible

PROCESS
We started the design with a survey of the existing site, to determine the site
design parameters – setbacks from property lines and septic system, site
elevations to avoid water table issues. The resulting buildable area is quite
narrow, and locates the building along a roughly North-South axis.
We located the more public side of the house for visitors arriving from a local
boat dock to the North. We oriented the living room, master suite deck, and roof
deck to enjoy views of the Long Island Sound.
The south view is a more private view of the back yard and rolling hills of the
island beyond. We located the children’s bedroom and a den/guest room there,
with a patio large enough for outdoor entertaining.
 Survey and Site Development Plan

The landscape plan organizes the site into discreet components: a small patio to
the north, a garden facing the street and the large patio and back yard to the
south. Plantings along the road allow the house some privacy.

Landscape Plan showing 3 zones: north, street-facing and south

APPROVALS
Because we worked within the parameters of the zoning regulations, we did not
need a site plan review. We had informal meetings with various town officials to
ensure that all site elements were agreed upon prior to beginning construction
documents.

RESULTS
After our feasibility study, we continued on to the rest of the design of the
property, through to construction.
References

https://www.thebustersgroup.co.uk/news/what-is-site-clearance-everything-you-need-to-
know#:~:text=Site%20clearance%20is%20the%20process,a%20construction%20or%20dem
olition%20project.

https://safetyculture.com/topics/site-clearing/

https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-site-grading.htm

https://connect2local.com/l/338839/c/362163/what-is-site-grading---how-is-it-used-in-
construction

https://www.stovallconstructioninc.com/news/construction-grading/

https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-cut-and-fill.htm

https://www.takeoffpros.com/2020/05/19/guide-to-cut-and-fill-
maps/#:~:text=The%20two%20terms%20are%20defined,%E2%80%9Cfill%E2%80%9D%20or%
20embankment%20earth.

https://safetyculture.com/topics/backfilling/#:~:text=Backfilling%20is%20the%20process%
20of,insulate%20foundations%20or%20improve%20drainage.

https://dreamcivil.com/backfilling-in-foundation/

http://www.builtconstructions.in/OnlineMagazine/Bangalore/Pages/Impact-of-Built-
Environment-on-Natural-Environment-
905.aspx#:~:text=Direct%20environmental%20impacts%20of%20current,displaces%20or%2
0eliminates%20wildlife%20communities.

CASE STUDY: https://www.patriquinarchitects.com/site-analysis-and-feasibility-case-study-

custom-residential/