SITE STUDY CHECKLIST

Physical Factors I Historical/Social Factors I Regulatory Factors

PHYSICAL FACTORS
Climate  Wind direction
 Maximum, min, and average velocities
 Special Forces (cyclones, hurricanes etc.)
Solar Orientation  Sun angles
 Days of sunlight
 Shading of (or from) adjacent structures, natural features,
arid vegetation
Temperature  Ranges of variation

Humidity  Ranges of variation

Precipitation
Topography  Topographic maps and Ariel photos
 Slopes
 Visual characteristics
 Potential problem areas during construction: siltation,
erosion etc.
 Analysis of physical features, including major focal and
vantage points and their relationships within, into and out
from the site.
Existing access  Vehicular
and circulation  pedestrian

Vegetation

Existing water Location, size, depth, direction of flow

bodies  Water quality: clean, polluted, etc.
 Use: seasonal. year-round
 Variations: expected water levels, tides, wave action
 Coastal features
Location, size, depth, direction of flow
 Water quality: clean, polluted, etc.
 Use: seasonal. year-round
 Variations: expected water levels, tides, wave action
 Coastal features
Location, size, depth, direction of flow
  Water quality: clean, polluted, etc.
 Use: seasonal. year-round
 Variations: expected water levels, tides, wave action
 Coastal features
 Location, size, depth , direction of flow
 Water quality
 Use – seasonal or year round
 Variations – water levels etc.
Drainage canals  Natural and built
 Pattern and direction
 Surface drainage
 Proximity to flood plains
 Potential areas for impoundments , detention and
retention periods
Utilities  Portable water
 Electricity
 Gas
 Telephone
 Sanitary sewer service
 Strom drainage
 Fire protection
 Waste removal services
Immediate  Neighborhood structures
surroundings  Shading and solar access
 Noise from streets, emergency services, etc.
 Odors
 Views and vistas

HISTORICAL/SOCIAL FACTORS
Site history  Former site uses
 Hazardous dumping
 landfill
Present zoning of  land use of site
site and adjacent  land use of adjacent buildings
property
Location, type  schools, churches
and size of  shopping centers
permanent  parks
community  municipal services
services  recreational facilities
 banks
 food services
 health services
 access to highways , public transportation
Social factors  demography
 economic standards
 population
 education level

REGULATORY FACTORS
Zoning codes  permitted uses
 accessory structures
 minimum site area requirements
 building height limits
 setback requirements
 plot coverage
 FAR
 Open space requirements
 Street parking requirements
 Landscaping requirements
 Drainage requirements
Other codes and  Historic preservation and landmarks
requirements  Architectural controls
 Site related items in building codes
 Parking and access for persons with disabilities
 Service and emergency vehicle access and parking
 CASE STUDY CHECKLIST
Site Level I Building Level

SITE LEVEL
Site details  Location
 History
 Nearest landmark
 Major access to site – entry and exit
 Road geometrics in the site
 Topography
 Utilities – water supply, electricity, telephone, sanitary, fire,
storm water drainage, waste disposal etc.
 Surrounding context – neighborhood structures, views-
vistas, noise from steer etc.
 Parking facilities
 Landscape features
 Any sustainable aspects

BUILDING LEVEL
Planning study  Horizontal and vertical zoning of spaces
 Typology of spaces
  Hierarchy of spaces
 Spatial organization at 3d level
Parking level  Entry and exit ramps
planning  Spaces and numbers
 Signage’s
 Safety and security
 Circulation routes
 Any advanced system of parking
Floor plan study  Each level study
 Vertical cores – analysis
 Any concept in planning
 Circulation routes for public
 Circulation routes for services
 Admin spaces and service spaces
services  Lighting
 HVAC
 Water supply and sanitation
 Fire safety
 Elevators or escalators
 Waste disposal
 communication
Structural and
constructional
techniques
Material study  At site level – pavements, steps, entrance flooring etc.
 Building level – flooring details of common spaces
 Atriums, shops interiors
 Façade treatments
 Roof details
 Wall claddings
 Service spaces
 Detailing of any special feature
Activity study  Use of different spaces
 Activities in common spaces, passages, around elevators
etc.
 Recreational areas
 Food courts
 Seating and resting spaces
 Study and analysis based on anthropometrics