Site Analysis

By Andy Wong

Diagramming Information For Architectural Design

 Site Analysis
• Site Analysis is a vital step in the design process dedicated to the study
of the climatic, geographical, historical, legal, and infrastructural
context of a specific site.

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 The Importance Of Site Analysis
• Site analysis is the key to a well-designed project.
• In fact, the careful and complete analysis of a site and its surrounding
context can lead to better development proposals, smoother design
implementation, and, ultimately, higher quality built environments.

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 Outcome
• The result of this analytic process is a summary, usually a graphical
sketch about the relevant environmental information of the site.

• This result is then used as a starting point for the development of

environment-related strategies during the design process.

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 Site Visit: What To Take With You
• Camera - essential. Make sure you take pictures of everything.
• Note book/iPad - Jot down any observations.
• Measuring Tape/Laser Distance Meter – Double check the dimension.
• Etc.

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 Information/Elements: What To Look Out For
6. Man-made Features
1. Location

7. Circulation
2. Neighborhood Context
8. Utilities

3. Size And Zoning

9. Sensory

4. Legal
10. Human And Cultural

11. Climate
5. Natural Physical Features

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 1. Location
• May include map showing location of site in relation to major streets
or existing landmarks.
• Map may also show distances and travel times to related functions in
other parts of the city.

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 1. Location

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 1. Location

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 1. Location

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 1. Location

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 2. Neighborhood Context
• Presents the immediate surroundings of the site for perhaps three to
four blocks beyond the site boundary.
• Map may show existing and projected uses, buildings, zoning and any
other conditions that may have an impact on our project.

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 2. Neighborhood Context

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 3. Size And Zoning
• Documents all the dimensional aspects of the site including
boundaries, location and dimension of easements and present zoning
classification with all its dimensional implications (setbacks, height
restrictions, parking formulas, allowed uses, etc.) and buildable area.

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 3. Size And Zoning

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 3. Size And Zoning

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 3. Size And Zoning

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 3. Size And Zoning

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 3. Size And Zoning

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 3. Size And Zoning

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 3. Size And Zoning

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 4. Legal
• This category presents the legal description of the property,
covenants and restrictions, present ownership, present governmental
jurisdiction (city or county) and any future projections that may
influence the project. (such as within the boundaries of eventual
university expansion).

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 4. Legal

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 4. Legal

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 5. Natural Physical Features
• Includes contours, drainage patterns, soil type and bearing capacity,
trees, rocks, ridges, peaks, valleys, pools and ponds.

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 5. Natural Physical Features

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 5. Natural Physical Features

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 5. Natural Physical Features

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 5. Natural Physical Features

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 5. Natural Physical Features

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 5. Natural Physical Features

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 5. Natural Physical Features

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 6. Man-made Features
• Documents on site conditions such as buildings, walls, drives, curb
cuts, hydrants, power poles and paving patterns.
• Off site features may include characteristics of surrounding
development such as roof forms, fenestration patterns, materials,
colours, open spaces, paving patterns, landscaping materials and
patterns, etc..

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 6. Man-made Features

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 6. Man-made Features

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 7. Circulation
• Presents all vehicular and pedestrian movement patterns on and
around the site.
• Data includes duration and peak loads for surrounding vehicular traffic
and pedestrian movement, bus stops, site access edges, traffic
generators, service truck access and intermittent traffic (parades, fire
truck routes, concerts at nearby auditorium).

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 7. Circulation

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 7. Circulation

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 8. Utilities
• This category deals with the type, capacity and location of all utilities
on, adjacent to and near the site.
• Typical utility types include electricity, gas, sewer, water and
telephone.

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 8. Utilities

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 8. Utilities

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 9. Sensory
• Typical issues are views to and from the site and noise generated
around the site.
• It is of value to record the type, duration, intensity and quality
(positive or negative) of the sensory issues.

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 9. Sensory

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 9. Sensory

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 9. Sensory

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 9. Sensory

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 9. Sensory

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 9. Sensory

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 9. Sensory

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 10. Human And Cultural
• Issues here might involve population age, ethnic patterns, density,
employment patterns, values, income and family structure.
• Vandalism and crime patterns, although not pleasant, are of value to
designers when conceptualizing site zoning and building design.

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 10. Human And Cultural

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 10. Human And Cultural

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 10. Human And Cultural

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 11. Climate
• Presents all the pertinent climate conditions such as rainfall, humidity
and temperature variations over the months of the year.
• Also included are prevailing wind directions, sun-path and vertical sun
angles as they change over the year.

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 11. Climate

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 11. Climate

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 11. Climate

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 Reference

Site Analysis: Diagramming Information for Architectural Design

• Author: Edward T. White
• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Architectural Media Ltd; Trade Paperback Edition (June 1983)
• ISBN-10: 1928643043
• ISBN-13: 978-1928643043
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