LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

15ARC 6.6, Class VI B

Ar. Prof. Sanjyot Shah

MODULE - 2

MODULE - 2
Relating Architecture and Landscape, Site analysis and Site planning

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MODULE – 2 B – 1,2,3

B. Relating Architecture and Landscape, Site analysis and Site

planning
1. Study of architectural response to landscapes and understanding the
relation between architecture and landscape through case examples.
2. The idea of site as part of whole/larger landscape, Site inventory and
analysis: physical, biological, social contextual studies and layers of site
analysis, site suitability analysis, inferences and response for architectural
interventions.
3. Design considerations and approaches to site planning, introduction to
grading and land modifications, working with sloping sites.

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MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Site Inventory:
Collectively, the features of the site and its surroundings, in conjunction with the project’s
program, determine the attribute data that are collected for the site inventory. Site
inventories map important physical, biological, and social or cultural attributes. These may
include circulation patterns and traffic volumes, existing utility systems, or architectural
character within the surrounding built environment.
Every site is embedded within a landscape. The site inventory is an essential step in
understanding the character of the site and the physical, biological, and cultural linkages
between the site and the surrounding landscape. Land development, restoration, and
management require a broad knowledge of, and appreciation for, environmental and cultural
systems. Both basic and applied research has contributed to our understanding of physical,
biological, and cultural phenomena.

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MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Examples of physical, biological, and cultural attributes that may be mapped at the site
scale.

Physical Soils Bearing capacity Foundation

Porosity Suitability for on-site

wastewater treatment
Erodibility (Structure and Erosion potential
texture)
Fertility Plant selection and growth
Acidity - pH Plant selection and growth

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MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Physical Topography Elevation Visibility and visual quality

Drainage patterns
Spot elevations for high points and low
points
Slope gradient Circulation system safety
Building design and construction
complexity
Erosion potential
Stormwater management
Slope aspect Micro climate
Suitability for solar architecture 58
MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning
Physical Hydrology Aquifer recharge areas
Seeps and springs
Drainage patterns
Water chemistry(e.g., salinity,
nitrates or phosphates)
Depth to seasonal water table
Flooding hazards
Stormwater management
Groundwater recharge
Suitability for building
foundation excavations
Suitability for on-site
wastewater treatment
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MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Physical Hydrology Landform Drainage

Seismic hazards (Fault lines) Earthquake hazards
Landslide hazards
Depth to bedrock Suitability for building foundation
excavations
Suitability for on-site wastewater treatment
Climate Solar Radiation Building design and placement
Location of outdoor activities
Wind direction Location of outdoor activities
Windbreak location
Temperature
Humidity
Rainfall
Snowfall 60
Potential natural hazards
MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Schematic diagram of the seasonal variation in shade

cast by a building in the northern hemisphere. Solar
exposure in outdoor spaces near a building varies not
only with weather conditions but also with time of
day, day of year, and location of the space in relation
to both the building and the sun.

Diagram of seasonal changes in the maximum daily sun angle for a

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mid-latitude location in the Northern Hemisphere.
MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Biological Vegetation Plant communities

Specimen trees
Exotic invasive species
Wildlife Habitats for endangered or
threatened species
Cultural Land use Prior land use
Land use on adjoining properties.
Legal Political boundaries
Land ownership
Land use regulations
Easements and deed restrictions 62
MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Cultural Utilities Sanitary sewer

Storm sewer
Electric
Gas
Water
Telecommunications
Circulation Street function (e.g., arterial or collector)
Traffic volume
Historic Buildings and landmarks
Archaeological sites
Sensory Visibility
Visual quality
Noise
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Odour
MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Site Analysis:
The site analysis summarizes the site’s suitability for the
programmed uses. A variety of physical, biological, and
cultural attributes can influence the site’s suitability for
the project under consideration. Information contained
in the site’s inventory maps can be synthesized to create
one or more maps of the site’s suitability for
development, generally, or its suitability for specific
program objectives.
Site analysis is an inventory completed as a preparatory
step to site planning which involves research, analysis,
and synthesis. It primarily deals with basic data as it
relates to a specific site.

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Relationship between attribute mapping and
land use suitability analysis.
MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Providing an understanding of the site

within its biophysical and socio-cultural
context, the site analysis can be useful
to allied professions engaged in the land
development and impact mitigation
process.

Information from the site analysis is utilized by many professions

engaged in the land development process. 65
MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

Introduction to Site planning

• Site planning refers to the organizational stage of the landscape design process.
• It involves the organization of land use zoning, access, circulation, privacy, security, shelter,
land drainage, and other factors.
• This is done by arranging the compositional elements of landform, water, buildings, planting,
paving, drives, parking, street furniture and lighting elements.
• Site planning generally begins by assessing a potential site for development through site
analysis.
• Information about slope, soils, hydrology, vegetation, parcel ownership, orientation, etc. are
assessed and mapped.
• By determining areas that are poor for development (such as floodplain or steep slopes) and
better for development, the planner or architect can assess optimal location and design a
structure that works within this space.

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MODULE – 2 B – 3 – Design considerations and approaches to site planning

• A site plan is a "graphic representation of the arrangement of buildings, parking, drives,

landscaping and any other structures that are part of a development project". Such a
plan of a site is an architectural plan, landscape architectural document, and a detailed
engineering drawing of proposed improvements to a given land parcel.
• A site plan "usually shows a building footprint, travel ways (roads, footpaths, trails),
parking, drainage facilities, sanitary and sewer lines, water supply lines, trails, lighting,
and landscaping and garden elements".
• A site plan is a "set of construction drawings that a builder or contractor uses to make
improvements to a property. Site plans are often prepared by a design consultant who
must be either a licensed engineer, architect, landscape architect or land surveyor".

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