100 Site Analysis Essentials; An

Architect's Guide Peter Farrall

Visit to download the full and correct content document:
https://ebookmass.com/product/100-site-analysis-essentials-an-architects-guide-peter
-farrall/
© RIBA Publishing, 2024

Published by RIBA Publishing, 66 Portland Place, London, W1B 1AD

ISBN 9781915722058

The rights of Peter Farrall and Iain Jackson to be identified as the

Authors of this Work have been asserted in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 sections 77 and 78.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
prior permission of the copyright owner.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Commissioning Editor: Alex White

Assistant Editor: Flo Armitage-Hookes
Production: Jane Rogers
Designed by CHK Design
Typeset by Fakenham Prepress Solutions, Fakenham, Norfolk
Printed and bound by Pureprint Group Ltd
Cover image: Illustration of canal running through central Manchester.
Produced by the Authors with all rights reserved to Peter
Farrall and Iain Jackson.

While every effort has been made to check the accuracy and quality
of the information given in this publication, neither the Author nor the
Publisher accept any responsibility for the subsequent use of this
information, for any errors or omissions that it may contain, or for any
misunderstandings arising from it.

www.ribapublishing.com

DOI: 10.4324/9781003485988
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements ix

About the authors x

Introduction xi

Chapter 1:
Focus of the study 1

Case study 1

Chapter 2:
Context 9

Tips 1–42
Case study 2

Chapter 3:
Routes 100

Tips 43–52
Case study 3

CONTENTS
Chapter 4:
Environment 124

Tips 53–78
Case study 4

Chapter 5:
Groupings and usage 182

Tips 79–86
Case study 5

Chapter 6:
Interface 202

Tips 87–100
Case study 6
Case study 7

Afterword 238

Appendix 240

Worked example A
Worked example B

100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

Glossary 251

Bibliography 254

Index 256

CONTENTS
 CONTEXT TIP Key issues to consider

Historical 1 Investigate the layers of history.

2 Consider the stylistic diversity.
3 Explore the historical development with maps.
4 Study the pace of change.
5 Create your own Nolli Map.

Social and cultural 6 Research the social and economic landscape.

7 Investigate the type of people who live and work in the area.
8 Investigate the cultural influences and assets.
9 Use census data to produce your own diagrams.
10 Use census information to understand about local residents and housing
ownership.
11 Identify the local social hubs.

Economic 12 Consider the significance of land values.

13 Review the socio-economic demographics of an area.
14 Consider the influence of ownership and landlords.

Density and development 15 Review the density and plot size.

16 Consider the human density and household composition.
CONTEXT

17 Consider competing future visions and other stakeholders.

18 Consider sustainability when exploring communities.
19 Explore if recent interventions can also provide opportunities.

Materiality and style 20 Consider the availability of locally sourced materials.

21 Research local styles and forms of construction.
22 Consider why the city looks the way it does.

Political 23 Who are the political influencers?

24 Review the Local Authority planning policies.
25 Is your site part of a conservation area?

Physical infrastructure 26 Explore types of places and spaces around the site.
27 Investigate why the city looks the way it does.
28 Identify monuments and nodes.
29 Review the scale of the street.
30 Review the physical infrastructure.
31 Identify neighbourhoods and districts in and around your site.
32 Identify the scale of the district.
33 Consider how historical backstory impacts on the urban grain.
34 Consider the district as part of the overall city.
35 How might the public realm influence your proposal?
36 Think vertically as well as horizontally; consider different programmes
at different levels.
37 Explore underlying city plans and structures.

Invisible city 38 Track movement to provide data on how people interact with the city.
39 Consider the impact of any underground services.
40 Consider traffic data and restrictions.
41 Download or build your own 3D model of the site.
42 Are there any literary references relating to your site?

ROUTES

Vehicular 43 Establish the hierarchy of routes affecting your site.

44 Identify bus and cycle routes.

Pedestrian 45 Experience the city by walking.

46 Explore the alternative routes.
47 Explore pathways based on desire lines.
ROUTES

Transport 48 Consider the bigger picture of transport infrastructure and accessibility.

49 Explore how well your site is served by transport terminals and bus stops.
50 How well is the site connected nationally?

Timeframe 51 Consider how special events impact the city.

52 Review how intensity of use varies over time.
ENVIRONMENT TIP Key issues to consider

Climate 53 Assess sun paths, shading and daylight.

54 Establish the local wind paths and prevailing winds.
55 Consider how the microclimate affects the site.
56 Consider if tidal patterns or rising sea levels have an impact on your site.

Topographical 57 Survey site levels and features.

58 Determine the site boundary – it is not always clearly defined.
59 Investigate the ground conditions.

Natural features 60 Celebrate the natural features.

Consider the roots and crown of all trees within the site.

ENVIRONMENT
61
62 Conduct an environmental assessment of natural habitats.
63 Check flood risk data, especially in low-lying locations.
64 Explore the backstory of any formal landscapes.

Man-made features 65 Consider the existing streetscape.

66 How does street furniture impact on the site?
67 Consider the impact of telecommunications, masts and satellite dishes on
your site.
68 Consider the impact of artificial lighting.
69 Is your site impacted by noise?

Timeframe 70 Investigate how the site use varies over 24 hours.

71 Explore how site use changes over the course of a year.

Street hierarchies 72 Consider the proportion of pavement to road.

73 Consider the street’s height to width ratio.

Sustainability 74 Explore opportunities to utilise the site’s resources.

75 Consider opportunities to deploy local materials.

Phenomenology 76 Explore opportunities to create the sense of a journey

77 Consider the potential for an architectural promenade and mystery.
78 Be aware of historical connotations.

GROUPINGS AND USAGE

Site usage 79 Map out the various functional uses around your site.
How has the function of your site changed over time?

GROUPINGS
80

Around the site 81 Be aware of activities or functions associated with your site or brief.
82 Consider the proximity of key facilities.
83 Investigate the previous uses of the site.
84 Establish current usage categories locally.

Relationship to the wider 85 Investigate emerging types and planned developments.

area 86 Map repeating services, forms and types.

INTERFACE

Site boundary 87 Establish the extent and nature of the site boundary.
88 Assess the permeability of the site boundaries.
89 Undertake an accurate site survey to assess the site’s potential.
90 Consider thresholds where boundaries are poorly defined .
91 Research any legal restrictions impacting the site.

Views into the site Make a sketch looking into the site.
INTERFACE

92
93 How will your proposal impact the townscape?
94 Survey the adjacent properties.

Views out from the site 95 Make a sketch of the skyline.

96 Identify key axes and monuments.

Neighbours 97 Establish interface distances to adjacent properties.

98 How will rights of light impact your proposal?

Access 99 Consider the implications of any legal restrictions.

100 Consider legal restrictions on routes and rights of access.
Iain Jackson: to Jo, Pippa and Dylan
Peter Farrall: to Nora
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We’d like to thank our colleagues and students at the University

of Liverpool School of Architecture, for their help and
encouragement, especially Alex Dusterloh, Lucretia Ray, Anna
Gidman and Nick Wilde. We would also like to acknowledge the
input from the architects who provided the case studies and
gave valuable insight into their design process. Specifically, we
would like to thank Jo Day, Alan Dunlop, Jim Eyre, Ian Ritchie,
Hans van der Heijden, Steven Hodder and Gurmeet Sian.
The overall structure of the book: Context, Routes,
Environment, Groupings and Interface (CREGI) was actually
discovered left on a blackboard at the University of Bristol
School of Architecture in the 1970s, but we have been unable to
find out who gave the lecture! The Head of School and professor
at that time was Ivor Smith and he invited some of the most
talented designers of the day to teach at the school, mostly from
London, and affectionally referred to as ‘Ivor’s flying circus’. This
approach to site analysis has been extremely useful over 40
years of practice and has also been developed over 20 years of
teaching, including the later addition of phenomenology.
Thank you too to our commissioning editor, Alex White, for his
support and encouragement.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ix
ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Peter Farrall is Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the

University of Liverpool, teaching in both the MArch and BA
programmes, as well as Professional Studies. Prior to this,
he was partner for 25 years in a multidisciplinary practice in
Chester, specialising in the education sector. He is a former
president of the Liverpool Architectural Society and served on
the National Council and Conduct Committee of the RIBA. Peter
is a lecturer and examiner on the RIBA Part 3 course and has
delivered lectures and webinars for RIBA CPD programmes. He
co-authored the RIBA Good Practice Guide: Fees with Professor
Stephen Brookhouse and is author of Feasibility Studies: An
Architect’s Guide.

Iain Jackson is an architect and professor at University of

Liverpool. Iain worked in practice on educational projects and
completed his PhD on the Rock Garden of Chandigarh in India.
He is the Research Lead for Architecture at the University of
Liverpool and Co-director of the Architecture Heritage and
Urbanism in Western Africa (AHUWA) research group. He is
currently researching the architecture of the United Africa
Company. Iain teaches architectural studio, architectural history
and supervises PhD students. He has co-authored several
biographies including Herbert Rowse and The Architecture of
Edwin Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew.

x 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

Conducting a site analysis is an essential part of the

architectural design process. By carefully examining, recording,
observing and documenting, you can cultivate a deeper
understanding of the place you are designing for. This will result
in a more considered and appropriate solution, crafted and
calibrated for that spot.
Site analysis is sometimes seen as the starting point that
leads to a design solution, but it is also an ongoing and integral
part of the design process. Site analysis can help with initial
feasibility studies, but it can also help refine the design intent
and brief, contribute to the design options and justification and
form part of a post-design review.
Architecture should respond and relate to the place where it
is built. It is a fixture and works best when calibrated to suit local
materials, skills, cultures and communities. Site analysis is an
investigation into these qualities. It must also consider climatic
data – such as sun and shadow paths, temperature and humidity
ranges – as well as society – with its complexity, competing
demands, contradictions and ongoing changes.
Architecture is often expected to (and should) last a long
time. It has a public face and impacts the town, neighbourhood
and street in much more profound ways than most other creative
endeavours and professional activities. Architecture forms part
of our habitat and our environment.
Architects have a duty to design buildings that serve their
clients and communities, and that enrich the lives of future
generations too. By considering the context of the design –
both what has been built in the immediate vicinity as well as
the wider cityscape – you can develop designs that respond
with sensitivity. This should allow you to produce designs of the
appropriate scale and materials, which both optimise the client’s
investment and ensure societal enjoyment of the work.

INTRODUCTION xi
 Contextual design does not necessarily mean that everything
‘fits in’ or is deferential to what has gone before. It may be that a
contrast or reaction to what is already there becomes necessary
and appropriate.

Structure of the book

This book provides a series of lenses, strategies and ideas that
you can deploy to increase your understanding and knowledge
of a place. There are many other approaches, but in following
this method and producing your own ‘library’ of findings, you will
pick up the right tools to explore, rationalise and convince others
that your solution is valid, considered and appropriate.
At the end of each chapter is a series of case studies using
projects undertaken by prominent architects to demonstrate
their approach to site analysis and its impact on their design
proposals. These are followed by two examples that show
an incremental approach to site analysis leading to a set of
strategic design proposals.
Site analysis can be broken down into five main headings and
there is a chapter devoted to each of these. You can consider
these as a checklist to work through when conducting your
own site analysis but note that not every item will be relevant to
every project.

Context
This is concerned with the wider area around the site in
question. Consider the density of the neighbourhood, the size
of the city blocks and the historical development of the site.
This should take in a wide geographical range where possible.
Identifying key landmarks, cultural references and other
significant buildings in the area (such as schools, hospitals,
transport hubs, etc.) should also be done at this stage.
Beyond the physical context, this part of the analysis should
also consider the wider sociological and economic conditions
of the site. This data should be represented graphically to help
build a comprehensive picture of the site and any opportunities
for development.

xii 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

Routes
How is the site connected to other places? What is the scale
and nature of these routes? What transport infrastructure
and facilities are available? Proximity to rail and mass-transit
infrastructure may have a major impact on the land value,
usage patterns and desirability of a site. Pedestrian links, the
streetscape and a well-connected urban form can all affect your
design solutions and the nature of the architectural proposal.

Environment
Responding to the climatic conditions of a site can enhance
most design proposals and have a significant impact on
the ongoing energy costs and interior comfort of a building.
A well-sited and properly orientated design can capture
sunlight whilst minimising solar gain, and create spaces that
are pleasurable to be in. Temperature, humidity and seasonal
change should also be considered. Wind, particularly around
tall structures and in coastal settings, needs special analysis.
Noise pollution can be problematic, but it can be mitigated with
a sensitive design proposal. Beyond climate conditions, consider
topography and natural features, such as animal habitats, trees,
rivers and sea levels.
Consider how the site ‘feels’ and the responses it may
provoke in the visitor. Perhaps the site holds a particular history,
myth or association that resonates with the population. Places
can become infamous or gain associations linked to a particular
event or memory. A plot that was once a religious site will have
a different feel and meaning to a place next to a famous sports
stadium, for example.
Not everything important can be measured and a
phenomenological approach can help to reconcile contradictory
or less tangible site attributes. Consider moving beyond what
you can see and begin to notice the noises, smells, textures
and feelings you can detect around the site. Do they have any
implications for your design choices?

INTRODUCTION xiii
Groupings and usage
What takes place in the vicinity of and within the site? Is it
devoted to a particular activity, for example, is it a residential site
or mixed-use office, a restaurant or apartments? Try to find out
how the wider district or neighbourhood is currently used and
how your site fits in with a wider planning agenda.

Interface
This is all about the immediate context and how the site abuts
its neighbours. As well as the physical boundaries around the
perimeter of the site, you need to consider the views in and
out. Consider how the site is accessed and how much of the
site will be built on. What affect will your proposal have on the
surrounding buildings and their occupants?

xiv 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

focus
appropriate to the task. It is therefore important to focus on the
key issues affecting the project and ensure that the analysis is
communicated in a clear way.
Students sometimes carry out excellent analysis, but the
impact and findings of these studies are not evident in the
design proposition. Alternatively, the analysis goes into too much
detail and fails to focus on the key issues unique to the site.

Level of detail
After considering the brief it is important to decide how far to
progress with the site analysis. For example, a brief for a new
museum with national significance will require an understanding
of how the proposed site relates to other similar facilities around
the country and how accessible the site is by car and public
transport. Being able to respond to large visitor groups will also
be important. If the proposal is for a new village hall within a
conservation area, then understanding the needs of the local
community, the impact of the proposal on the local townscape
and how the hall might relate to other community facilities
nearby will be valuable.
You need to consider what is special or unique about the site.
If it’s in an exposed coastal location, then details of extreme
weather will be important, whereas a new visitor centre set in the
grounds of a heritage site will require an in-depth understanding
of the history, landscape and architecture of the site. The point is
to recognise and respond to the unique and specific attributes,
rather than attempting to cover everything in your site analysis.

Analysis and synthesis

Having gathered the data and recorded information about the
site, it is then necessary to analyse and consider which aspects
will impact the design. For example, you may have gathered
information about levels of employment, but what does this say
about an area and how does it compare with national averages?
Setting down the key findings of your investigations, and what
they mean to the project, provides a stepping stone towards
your design proposal.

2 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

focus
in which case it may be necessary to revisit aspects of the site
analysis or modify the design proposals.

Importance of on-site recording

Throughout this book, we stress the importance of visiting
the site to gain a first-hand impression and feeling about the
area. The act of on-site sketching tends to achieve this in a
natural way. Whist sitting or standing to record a scene you
are inevitably absorbed; passers-by may chat to you and you
will take in the sounds and smells over a longer period. These
sketches may also trigger memories in a more significant way
than by simply taking a photograph on your phone. Often, these
recollections can be vivid, months or even years later. Even if you
do not consider yourself to be a great artist, the sketches you
produce tend to communicate something very personal about
the site and this can help when presenting proposals to a client
or in a design review.

Key takeaway
In summary, it is important to identify what is significant about
the site and how this complements the design brief.
Do not try to incorporate everything into your analysis.
Be prepared to revisit the site to test your observations and
findings. This may require you to return several times, even after
you have begun to develop the design proposals.
Draw and map your analysis so that you can communicate
your findings and ideas in a way that explains to others what
is important about the site. You also need to explain how your
site analysis informs your design proposal and ensure this is
communicated in an effective way using appropriate media.
The ‘Quick Start Chart’ breaks down site analysis into five
parts: context, routes, environment, groupings and usage and
interface. These are the key things to consider when analysing
a site and the subheadings help you to explore what might be
relevant to your specific project. The tips that follow give some
examples from actual sites and how they might influence design
proposals. It is unlikely that all of these subheadings will be

4 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

focus
 Cullen focuses on four ideas: serial vision, place, content
and functional tradition, and these ideas are explored using
sequential illustrations along a route.
Kevin Lynch’s The Image of the City (1960) analyses a city that
allows the viewer to orientate themselves using five elements:

• paths, such as streets, trails, canals and railways

• edges, such as boundaries, walls and the edge of a district
• districts, medium or large, identifiable by common
characteristics
• nodes, which are focal points in a city, junctions, crossing
or convergences in paths, breaks in transport routes, or key
areas people recognise
• landmarks, such as churches, public buildings, monuments or
unique and memorable features.

These are certainly great starting points, but also consider the
site beyond the physical characteristics – make sure you weave
in culture, history, politics and social conditions.
All the maps and other images in this book were hand drawn,
requiring the authors to interpret information to communicate
key messages. A variety of styles and techniques have been
used. We encourage you to do the same. Experiment with
different ways of drawing, use colours, diagrams and urban
sketching to document and enhance your thinking. Photographs
are wonderful, but a sketch can convey far more often with
a lot less. Find your own style to communicate and get your
message across.

6 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

focus
the north side with gardens to the south. Areas where noise is
less of a problem, such as the swimming pool and activity areas,
are also located on the south side. Apartments located on an
adjacent site look directly onto the site from an elevated position
and so the roof was important and becomes the fifth elevation.
The analysis, briefing and design process took over a year,
including extensive liaison with stakeholders.

8 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

CHAPTER 2

CONTEXT

‘Context’ is the term given to the immediate area around

and abutting your site. It is the materials, styles and physical
infrastructure of our streets. But more than just the neighbouring
buildings, context is also about the wider area, the historical
background and the intangible aspects, such as the social and
economic influences on the area.
Ideally you should first view your site in person to absorb its
qualities. Then search for information online in the form of data,
maps, historical photographs and policies. The ‘invisible city’
and virtual environments are also becoming more important and
relevant as we enter the age of smart cities, data-driven design
and ever-increasing digital realms.
Your site has a collective memory. Traces of the past bleed
through to inform the future. Our buildings and places serve as
a kind of archive, or repository, for and of the community and
its heritage.

CONTExT DOI: 10.4324/9781003485988-2 9

Historical
When considering a proposal, it is often the historical context
that is the most important influence on how the site looks today.
What is the background of the site and the surrounding area,
and what is known about the layers of its history?

Social and cultural

The social and cultural make up of an area can determine what
is architecturally viable and appropriate. Who lives and works
in the surrounding area of your site? What is the social mix
and ethnicity? Where has the population come from? Is it a
harmonious neighbourhood?
There may be traditions, social norms or folk laws that impact
on the cultural identity and provide clues for future propositions.
A qualitative and quantitative review might involve interviewing
local people. An individual’s story can offer unique insights to
the broader perspective and offer a sounding board for future
interventions. Be wide-ranging in your community engagement.
Communicating effectively and sharing your ideas is essential.
Census data can also be useful in giving an objective ‘big
data’ framework within which to work. Just as your design will
be drawn at different scales, consider the ‘contextual scales’
moving from the wider district to the community and down to the
individual level.
When exploring a particular community, it is sometimes
helpful to establish who are the key stakeholders and primary
users of the facilities. Landlords, politicians and community
leaders can all bring a unique perspective too and will have
different concerns to residents and participants. Identifying key
community organisations and pressure groups can be important,
and it is often wise to seek consultation when developing a
proposal to ensure voices and concerns are heard.

Economic
Economics will often drive the viability and appropriateness of a
design within a particular area. Although the client may be able
to fund a project, the extent to which the proposal is appropriate

10 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

will be affected by the demographics and the economic
buoyancy of an area.
What are typical land values? Are they increasing? What
rental levels can be realised and what are the council tax rates?
Levels of unemployment will affect the prosperity of an
area, as will typical income levels and the spread from richest
and poorest. These issues are very different from the physical
context, but they still play a major role in what gets built
and where.

Density and development

The existing density – that is, the dwellings/buildings per hectare
and occupancy levels per dwelling – will provide important clues
as to what may be appropriate with a new development and will
also influence the ratio of open space to buildings. A high land
value tends to drive an increased density level to capitalise on
the value and to recoup the expense of building on that land. Of
course, the human density may change at different times of the
day/week/year depending on the type of population and activity
within the area, so it’s worth thinking about how this impacts
your design solution.

Materiality and style

As architects we are aware of the materials and styles used in
the buildings around the site, and it is often this aspect of the
urban grain that makes a place so distinctive. Analysing these
characteristics and what makes the area different to other
places will provide an important clue for your own proposal.
The aim is not to replicate or mimic; a contrast can be more
convincing than an attempt to fit in.
Don’t just think in terms of two dimensional plans; consider
the impact of volumetric scale and different massing in various
parts of the site.
Looking at street elevations, consider the scale and rhythm of
the architecture and what this might mean for your proposal. The
rhythm of the architecture might be expressed through window
patterns, material changes or through decorative patterns.

CONTExT 11
Political
Considering the political context at both a local and national
level provides an insight into the area and may have a big impact
on what can be achieved. Local authority planning restrictions
and national guidelines often dictate what level of development
is possible and what is not. When dealing with projects in a
professional context, these can be critical considerations.

Physical infrastructure
Considering the spaces between the buildings allows the scale
of the street to be assessed, and it is important to think vertically
as well as horizontally. When exploring the qualities of the ‘public’
or outside spaces, consider how successful they are used
along with any space left over after planning (SLOAP). When
investigating the physical infrastructure, consider the ‘solids’ and
‘voids’, the built-up and the spaces, the public and private. Finally,
how does the site fit within the existing street patterns? Is there
a rhythm or over-riding city layout, and how will this shape
your intervention?

Invisible city
The boundaries between the virtual and the real world are
increasingly blurred as online information becomes more
accessible and the virtual world more immersive. Street views,
models of entire cities and virtual reality are all changing how we
interact with, and think about, the built environment. We can use
these tools to test and share our ideas with a global audience.
Our built environment is becoming ‘smart’ – it can respond
to changing conditions and events in real time. Cyber cities,
virtual environments and Google maps can all relay retail and
commercial data informing how we design and can test the
impact of our ideas on the existing cityscape.

12 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

Assessment of a site within Clifton conservation area
TIP 1

CONTEXT
HISTORICAL

INVESTIGATE THE LAYERS OF HISTORY.

What you can see

The ‘cross’ or central crossroads at Chester is offset so that the
church forms the end of the vista from Bridge Street leading
south to the river.

What does this mean?

The reason for this is that the original Roman plan had a
principia at this location and the later Christian church was built
in the same place.

How might it affect your proposal?

Understanding the history of the city and the reasons behind
the planning allows you to work with what is already there and
to be sensitive to the underlying story. Unwrapping the layers of
history can sometimes give clues as to how to move forward.

Tip links with 2, 3, 20, 21, 22, 27, 78, 83 and 90.

14 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

ad 2000

ad 100

CONTExT 15
TIP 2

CONTEXT
HISTORICAL

CONSIDER THE STYLISTIC DIVERSITY.

What you can see

This street in Chester contains buildings constructed in many
different architectural styles and materials, built at different times
over a span of 500 years. Even so, the overall arrangement of
medieval ‘Rows’, or two-storey shops, is maintained.

What does this mean?

Each building says something about the period from which it
dates. They use materials and architectural styles considered
most appropriate at the time they were constructed.

How might it affect your proposal?

Cities are living things, not museums. In the case of Chester,
the variety of styles and eras of building might also give a clue
to what a modern intervention might consist of. Your design can
also be contemporary, using materials that are appropriate for
our times where sustainability is an important consideration.
Cities can be an amalgamation of many different eras
of development.

Tip links with 1, 3, 18, 19, 20, 21 22, 25 and 73.

16 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

CONTExT 17
TIP 3

CONTEXT
HISTORICAL

EXPLORE THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT WITH

MAPS.

What you can see

The top map from the mid-nineteenth century shows the location
of a new park with surrounding cottages, agricultural land and
new brickyards in advance of the planned development that was
to follow. The second map shows the same park 50 years later,
now surrounded by housing development and urbanisation.

What does this mean?

The park was set out to aid the development and increase
land value. The housing plots around the park’s perimeter were
auctioned off for large housing development with the prices
elevated due to the close proximity and amenity of the park.

How might it affect your proposal?

Looking at historical maps of your site can help you to
understand how, why and when development took place. We can
gain a better understanding of a place when we can see how it
was made and how it has changed over time. The old roads from
the nineteenth century, field boundaries and so on continue to
influence and determine how the land is used today.

Tip links with 1, 24 and 29.

18 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

CONTExT 19
TIP 4

CONTEXT
HISTORICAL

STUDY THE PACE OF CHANGE.

What you can see

The older map shows a crossroads at a small settlement in
1910. The new map from the 1990s shows the development of
housing estates.
Note how some things remain, whilst others change. Our built
environment may seem static, but it is in a constant state of
flux and renewal. Equally, some older features persist and bleed
through into the present. For example, on these plans note how
the small triangular woodland has remained.

What does this mean?

The places in which we design are not tabula rasa (clean slate).
There are always traces of past human activity that shape our
design options.

How might it affect your proposal?

The built environment is not fixed; it is constantly changing,
renewing and evolving. We may not notice these changes,
but over time they may radically alter a place. How has your
site changed during the last year, decade and century? What
features (such as trees, public footpaths and boundaries) have
been preserved or changed during this time?

Tip links with 1, 3, 24 and 29.

20 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

CONTExT 21
TIP 5

CONTEXT
HISTORICAL

CREATE YOUR OWN NOLLI MAP.

What you can see

A figure-ground plan of central Liverpool, also known as a Nolli
Map, after Giambattista Nolli’s drawing of Rome from 1748.
The aim here is to omit everything from the plan apart from
the buildings.

What does this mean?

The plan reveals the spatial configurations and relationships of
the built and unbuilt spaces. It reveals patterns, development
formations, typology and scale. By erasing everything and
removing data we are able to see certain aspects of the city
more clearly. You can also ‘invert’ the drawing and show the
buildings in white and the spaces in black.

How might it affect your proposal?

The Nolli Map reveals how your site fits into the wider city plan
– it shows the relationships between public spaces, transport
routes and the built environment. The density of the site can be
examined and the connectivity and permeability of the cityscape
explored. It is a simple technique, but surprisingly revealing, and
often brings about clarity as a result.

Tip links with 3, 11 and 17.

22 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

CONTExT 23
TIP 6

CONTEXT
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

RESEARCH THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC

LANDSCAPE.

What you can see

The city of Chester comprises of several distinct districts each
with their own special character.

What does this mean?

Each district has its own character and a different social and
economic status.

How might it affect your proposal?

The economic backdrop can have a big influence on land
values and therefore the viability of what interventions and
developments might be feasible. The social and cultural
landscape can make a difference to the sorts of proposals that
would be attractive and that are likely to thrive in the area.

Tip links with 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 24, 33 and 79.

24 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

CONTExT 25
TIP 7

CONTEXT
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

INVESTIGATE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND

WORK IN THE AREA.

What you can see

This is Barry ‘The Beekeeper’ Chang. He tends over 30 beehives
in Liverpool and collects the honey to sell. He is also a champion
for the UK’s oldest Caribbean Centre and campaigns to keep it
running for the good of the community.

What does this mean?

It’s a good idea to seek out people, like Barry, who can give you
valuable insights into the community. Talk to them and listen to
their stories.

How might it affect your proposal?

Local residents, shopkeepers and personalities can become
advocates for your ideas and proposals, or else provide crucial
feedback on how the proposal might be improved to resonate
more with the community.

Tip links with 17, 23, 24 and 41.

26 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

CONTExT 27
TIP 8

CONTEXT
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

INVESTIGATE THE CULTURAL INFLUENCES AND

ASSETS.

What you can see

This is the Cathedral Quarter of Chester, which incorporates
a Georgian square with offices and living accommodation.
For most of the time it provides tranquil space away from the
main bustle of the city. Every four years the city hosts the
medieval mystery plays and the area is transformed into a
performance space.

What does this mean?

Many areas of the country have traditions and festivals that form
an important part of their heritage and calendar.

How might it affect your proposal?

Being aware of festivals and traditions may influence your design
proposals. There can be practical issues, such as occasional
access and legal rights, as is the case with open markets.
Sometimes, long-standing traditions and folk law can provide a
clue as to how to approach a design proposal, giving it additional
depth and meaning.

Tip links with 1, 4, 19, 28, 52, 65 and 78.

28 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

CONTExT 29
TIP 9

CONTEXT
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

USE CENSUS DATA TO PRODUCE YOUR OWN

DIAGRAMS.

What you can see

This is a map of Litchfield showing the various parts of the
city categorised according to their features and attributes. It is
called Classification of Multidimension Open Data Morphology
(MODUM). Here you can see the city arranged according
to eight broad categories: ‘Suburban’, ‘Railway’, ‘Old Town’,
‘Victorian Terraces’, ‘Waterside’, ‘Countryside’, ‘High Street’ and
‘Central Business District’.

What does this mean?

To understand a place, try describing its dominant features and
categorising its different parts. This will allow for broad analysis
and it will help you to understand the constituent parts. It can
also help to inform the identity of particular districts.

How might it affect your proposal?

These tools can help build up a picture of how a neighbourhood
is organised and fits into a larger settlement pattern. Using
eight categories is a crude, but surprisingly useful, mode of
beginning to describe a place. It will help you to communicate
quickly with others and provide a system for comparison and
further investigation.

Tip links with 5, 16, 17, 25 and 34.

30 100 SITE ANALYSIS ESSENTIALS: AN ARCHITECT’S GUIDE

Another random document with
no related content on Scribd: