5 ARCHITECTURAL Design - DATA: GEO-PHYSICAL

The factors which influence the design and decisions in design are referred as data. In the design process
we have classified this data in four categories, viz. Anatomical, Geo-physical, Personality and Technological.
A. Meaning
Geophysical data includes all the information (existing & Proposed) aboveground, underground and in
the surrounding, related to the location of the building or the site i.e. land or plot. This may be further broken
into off-site factors and on-site factors. These may be represented through maps and plans 1. This data is
processed as site analysis and terminates into site planning.

The purpose of the site analysis is to record and evaluate information on the site and its surroundings,
in order to make a considered response to both site opportunities and constraints, to provide a good quality
living environment, and acknowledge, respect, and improve the character of the area. The site analysis results
in a site context plan, which is then used as a prompt in developing the design for the site.

Site analysis is more than just collecting information about the site, though its first and essential part.
The site analysis should identify issues/objects that will affect the design or its performance adversely as
liabilities and the objects that will enhance performance as assets. Thus the site data is interpreted in terms
balance sheet of assets and liabilities. The assets or liabilities always prompt for immediate independent
responses in terms of standard or typical solutions. This tendency should be curbed as it does not consider the
totality and retards innovations. For example, one may see southwest corner as an area susceptible to heavy
rain. Provide chajja or avoid openings may be immediate independent response. The other aspect of data may
suggest that it’s the location for best view, the main reason to buy property, and the third data me inform that
it’s the best location for afternoon Sun in cold winter. The design response should be a single solution for all
these factors, and not three independent solutions for each of them.

B- Contents
In order to remember the long list of items or data, the information is generally classified or grouped
under two heads, viz. On-site data and Off-site data. Main constituents of these are listed below.

B1- Off-Site Data

1. The factors on account of the plot being situated in that region. Data of the region, city or
neighbourhood which serves as catchment area,
2. The road network from city and highway leading to the site, the catchment area and mode of transport in
case of public buildings, width and nature of roads abutting the site is included in off-site data.
3. The geographical location - north or east with relation to the plot, solar radiations- intensity and time;
summer winter sun path, areas of high and low solar intensity, day and night temperature patters.
4. Annual rainfall, intensity, duration, peak- rainfall intensity; snowfall, hell storms; flooding if any;
5. Wind directions, intensity and variations; storms, cyclones if any with time, intensity & direction.
6. Environmental considerations and regulations like seismic zone index of the site, coastal zone
regulations-minimum distance from high tide line, hill-area, forest or irrigated land, flora-fauna,
conservation area, etc.
7. The legal side of design includes the land-use prevailing and proposed; bulk controls (coverage and
FAR permitted), height control, vicinity of airfield (funnel of runways) and other local byelaws.

1
North is always on top in case of maps, but it is the access or access road which is at the bottom in case of plan.
B2. On-Site Data
1. Site drawing/map along with survey/ subdivision/ chalta, P.T. sheet numbers as maybe applicable, with
all dimensions, and area. Document of ownership with area. (Known as form 7/12 or 1/7)
2. The approach road, its width and length along the site, other roads or plots abutting the site on all sides.
3. Site survey- Slope in terms of contour maps. It includes all physical factors on site, like trees, vegetation
like bushes and ground covers, existing gorge, ravine or valley inside the plot.
4. The geological features include the soil condition on surface and below (suitability for foundations and
plantations); availability and depth of hard strata, water table, quality, quantity and depth of underground
water, surface drain quantity and direction; history of flooding,
5. Trees existing on site, on edge of plot or around plot having its spread on plot (garth above 30cm), with
its centre and spread; shrubs and ground covers; plant to be preserved and/or removed; fauna dependent
on the trees and plants if any and alternatives available.
6. Any existing natural or manmade structure, location, size and present use,
7. Public utilities like HT or LT electrical lines, water supply, sewer, gas, telephone, underground or over
ground; within site or around the site.
8. Waste water, smoke or foul smells of any treatment plants, workshop or industry, garbage dump, or any
other health hazards in and around the plot.
9. The legal aspects in terms of local bylaws will include front, side and rear setbacks, restrictions on
entrance location (in case of corner plots), height limits, and façade design if any. Height and nature of
compound walls, right of way for access or services if any.
C. Collection & documentation
Best way of recording this data is to present it graphically on a site map or drawing.
This is preferred by most architects and is feasible for small projects. For middle size
projects the onsite and offsite factors are presented separately on drawings, backed by series
of documents. For smaller projects, all the data can be represented on a single drawing.
However, this data needs to be recorded or drawn in layers in terms of sheet or coloured
layer on same sheet, isolated and without conjunction and interpretation. All the data should
be readable individually, and user should be free to make his own combinations.
D. Analysis of data
Breaking the data or information to its smallest unit so as to use it in new
combination is the analysis in present context. Recording or drawing the data amounts to a
kind of abstraction and there is a tendency to interpret the data in certain combinations while
abstracting, based on past experiences. This corrupts the data and limits the possibilities. The
analysis and abstraction of each item should be recorded independently.

The data collection should only indicate that there is a picturesque valley or water
body abutting the plot, and the best seasons or timings of the same. The analysis will indicate
the locations on the site that will make this view meaningful and enjoyable. Analysis may
also indicate possibilities of availing view in terms of room, or angle or frame (building parts
or trees) or even the seating arrangement as possibilities, without conclusion. The synthesis
along with other sets of data will decide the hierarchy of the users and areas and then
recommend the rooms which should be located on the view side and what profile or shape
should be followed avail the view for more rooms.
E. Synthesis of data
Synthesis should look for abstraction of entire data as a single entity or solution and
not as an assemblage of abstractions of the various individual items in data. In other words a
single collective recommendation is the synthesis of data, which leads to site plan.

However, it is not as simple as it is said. Some of the analysis/ inferences may be

contradictory, when placed together, while others may complement. It is difficult to consider
all the factors or most of them with equal weightage, when in conflict. The weightages are
generally decided generally by the cultural or socioeconomic data, unless they are purely
functional (control tower) or purely economic (hotel rooms). In such cases, it is better to get
additional specific data and analyse it again with specific objectives, or generate alternatives.

The second option simply means that you generate many solutions, each with a
specific bias or weightage, and allow other sets of data to choose. In case, the best view can
be given only to one room, should it be a family space like leaving, dining or lounge or
personal space like bedroom. If its bedroom, then which one- parent’s (master), children’s or
of grandparents? Logically, the grandparents may have ample time to seat and enjoy the
view as compared to the other members of family, and others will visit them more in order to
share the view. The lounge is the only space, which is primarily intended for such activity.
However, the landlord or landlady may not permit such logic and take possession of the
prime location

Similarly, plot with single side abutting the road has to be accessed from the same
side, but that side may or may not be the front or main side of the building, which is implied
in many cases. The rear or side of the plot may face a lake or garden or any other view or
more open space, and the designer may treat that as a front. In fact most of the villas are
designed on this logic. Un-inferred site analysis opens possibilities for innovative designs.
‘Introduction to Architecture’ by James Snyder and ‘Site Planning’ by Kevin Lynch
are the best references. Some examples of site analysis are given below.