Site Plans, Perspectives, and More!

These excellent graphical

examples were compiled by
Jill Allen, GSD 2010

Site Analysis

FIGURE GROUND diagrams can illustrate general patterns in the urban fabric or
Metropolitan fabric
changes
in building typologies along corridors.
The urban fabric near the Gillette site exhibits a marked difference
from both the large but regular blocks of downtown Boston and the
fine-grained venacular residential fabric throughout much of the rest
of the city (right). This difference is much more prominently displayed
in the study of individual streets near the site, with Dorchester Ave.
clearly showing a transition in both scale and grain as one moves from
South to North. Also, unlike much of Boston, streets and other open
spaces are no longer defined by a strong built edge.

Siqi Zhu.
Figure Ground Analysis
Intro to Urban Design Techniques - Martin Zogran
Spring 2008

0.2 Mile

Jill Allen - Havana Studio | Fall 2009 | Lee Cott

STREET AND BLOCK PATTERNS can show connectivity and urban fabric
typologies
Adjacent street/block patterns

es around the site. The Fortpoint Channel area is divided into blocks
pe, while the South Boston Community is devided by a much more
all rectangle blocks. The size of the blocks varies, too. The residential
ston Community are smaller than the commercial or office blocks in
area in size. Even inside the residential blocks, the size of blocks has
e in the center. Most of these differences are generated by the varies
me differences are generated by building typology. The streets are
pattern except some differences in Fortpoint Channel area. The width
hree main categories. The density of the streets grids has represent a
enter of South Boston community.

Precedent fabrics

Block pattern varies around the site. The Fortpoint Channel area is divided into blocks
with irregular shape, while the South Boston Community is devided by a much more
common way into all rectangle blocks. The size of the blocks varies, too. The residential
blocks in South Boston Community are smaller than the commercial or office blocks in
Foitpoint Channel area in size. Even inside the residential blocks, the size of blocks has
a significant change in the center. Most of these differences are generated by the varies
of land use, but some differences are generated by building typology. The streets are
generally in a grid pattern except some differences in Fortpoint Channel area. The width
of the street is in three main categories. The density of the streets grids has represent a
transform in the center of South Boston community.

Regular Blocks + Regular Footprints +Irregular Footprints

ferent types of building foot prints in this graphic. The building

oitpoint Channel area are large and concentrated with relatively higher
ng footprints in most area of South Boston community are small and
e organized in a periphery way within each block. The building
enter of the residential area are totally different with the rest, with
n lower density. The open lands in the residenrtial community are
pieces. The open lands around the Covention Center are large and
pen lands in the 100 acre plan are purposely designed in concentrated

Bicen Ye.
Block and Street Pattern Analysis
Intro to Urban Design Techniques - Martin Zogran
Spring 2008

Regular Blocks + Irregular Footprints Regular Blocks + Regular Footprints +Irregular Footprints

There are three different types of building foot prints in this graphic. The building
footprints in the Foitpoint Channel area are large and concentrated with relatively higher
density. The building footprints in most area of South Boston community are small and
dispersed. They are organized in a periphery way within each block. The building
footprints in the center of the residential area are totally different with the rest, with
interesting shape in lower density. The open lands in the residenrtial community are
dispersed in small pieces. The open lands around the Covention Center are large and
continuous. The open lands in the 100 acre plan are purposely designed in concentrated
way.

Irregular Blocks + Regular Footprints

Precedent fabrics

Irregular Blocks + Irregular FootprintsIrregular Blocks + Regular Footprints

HAND DRAWN analysis can be an effective way to present a nuanced view of a

place; hand-drawing is also a good way to learn about an area

Seaport Public Realm Plan, 1999

HAND DRAWING can be an effective means of communications even if it is

sketchy!

Seaport Public Realm Plan, 1999

HAND DRAWING to explain and understand new relationships

Kevin Lynch. A Process of Community Visual Survey. pg 268-9

Kevin Lynch. A Process of Community Visual Survey. pg 302

Jill Allen, Aquidneck Island Analysis - Core Studio Spring 2009

Siqi Zhu, Aquidneck Island - Core Studio Spring 2009

Concept Maps/Diagrams

AERIALS can provide a good background/base for concept diagrams

Ming-Jen Hsueh - Contested Waters: The Tajo River in Spain, Fall 2007 Studio GSD http://studioworks.
gsd.harvard.edu/browse/studioworks.html

Ming-Jen Hsueh - Contested Waters: The Tajo River in Spain, Fall 2007 Studio GSD
http://studioworks.gsd.harvard.edu/browse/studioworks.html

LIGHTENDED FIGURE GROUND can be another effective background for a

diagram

Eric Batcho, Enru Hong, Evan Jenkins, Radhi Nair - Harlem 125: Shifting Culture, Shifting Economy, Shifting Urbanity - Fall 2006 GSD Studio (Toni Griffin)
http://studioworks.gsd.harvard.edu/browse/studioworks.html

SIMPLE, CLEAR IMAGES are most effective; pay attention to: line width and
style, filled vs. outlined shapes, and labels

Jaime C. Henderson, Assoc. AIA Neal-Prince + Partners, Architects - entry to Golden Capital Summer Pavilion Competition | http://competitions.welcomecac.com/images/projects/e450f7b42f68_
79bb855772.jpg

ELIMINATE SUPERFLUOUS INFO

David Woodhouse Architects. Burnham Memorial Design Competition Entry

COLOR can help tell

your story; use it
minimally for greater
effect

Sasaki - Auraria Higher Ed Center Campus Master Plan Update

- Denver, CO
http://www.sasaki.com/what/portfolio.cgi?fid=485&service=
1&page=1

THE IMAGE of a diagram should embody your idea

Siqi Zhu, Concord - Core Studio Spring 2009

SERIES OF IMAGES in a similar style can consistently illustrate major concepts

http://udcompetition.uli.org/images/Phase2/Team_2143_presentation_boards.pdf

GROUPS OF DIAGRAMS and other images help convey a message

Geneva Wirth - Landscape Arch Core Studio - Fourth Semester Core, Spring 2007
http://studioworks.gsd.harvard.edu/browse/studioworks.html

East Bayfront Precinct Plan., pg 19, 21

http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/dbdocs//4491a914d1783.pdf

Dongsei Kim and Jamieson Fajardo, MSAUD, Columbia University, New York, NY | Competition Entry - Intersections: Grand Concourse Beyond 100
http://gallery.grandconcourse100.org/proposals/21

EXPLODED AXON drawings can show spatial relationships between different

layers of a project; this technique helps a viewer separate different strategies

Christina Belton, Taewook Cha, Brenda Curtis, Lia Kelerchian, Gentry Lock, Erika Matthias, and Shachi Pandey, EDAW-NYC | Competition Entry - Intersections: Grand
Concourse Beyond 100 | http://gallery.grandconcourse100.org/proposals/4

COORDINATE
DIAGRAMS with other
drawings to clarify a
concept

Ming-Jen Hsueh - Landscaping Urbanisms/Urbanizing

Landscapes, GSD Studio, Spring 2008
http://studioworks.gsd.harvard.edu/browse/studioworks.
html

COMBINE 2D and 3D diagrams to explain how a concept works on the

ground

Jason Kentner and Karen Lewis, influx studio, Columbus, OH | Competition Entry - Intersections: Grand Concourse Beyond 100
http://gallery.grandconcourse100.org/proposals/16

Examples of other Drawings

SKETCHUP MODEL overlayed on either line drawing or aerial

Nayla Al-Akl - Hunters Point Parklands Studio, Spring 2007 | http://studioworks.gsd.harvard.edu/browse/studioworks.html

Daniel Hadley,Aquidneck Island, Core Studio, Spring 2009

East Bayfront Precinct Plan., pg 19, 21 - http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/dbdocs//4491a914d1783.pdf

Siq Zhu, Intro to urban design techniques, Spring 2009

Abhishek Sharma. Wollaston. Sasaki Internship. Summer 2009

BASIC STREET SECTIONS convey widths of various sections of a street and

the relationship of the street width to building height

Sidewalk 20

Pa r k 8

Drive 11

Drive 11

Drive 11

Drive 11

Pa r k 8

hand drawing on trace over the cad image to left

Jill Allen
SBW - Core Studio Fall 2008

Sidewalk 20

original cad image

Daniel Hadley, Intro to urban design techniques, Spring 2009