Site Analysis Guidelines for Understanding and Assessing Potential Step-by-Step for Beginners

What Is Site Analysis?

Site analysis is a vital part of architecture, involving examining and evaluating aspects of a location. The primary objective is to collect relevant information and transform it into diagrams to make informed design choices. Considering project attributes is crucial to achieving success. Site analysis diagrams visually represent observations, showing patterns of sunlight, movement, land use, and spaces.

What Is The Purpose Of A Site Analysis?

Site analysis is crucial for designers to understand a project site. They examine aspects like location, size, topography, zoning, traffic, climate, and potential changes. Site analysis diagrams provide architects with data on sun and shade patterns, movement, land use, and public/private spaces. This helps designers create a design that integrates with external conditions. Site analysis benefits both designers and clients by ensuring financial feasibility.

How To Do Site Analysis?

Obtaining a high level of detail is crucial for a comprehensive site analysis. Designers need to consider the contextual aspects of the building or structure they are creating. It is important to understand how the construction will fit in with the surrounding space and how the space itself will impact the construction process. These factors are critical in conducting a thorough site analysis. To ensure an informed architectural site analysis, it is necessary to follow these three steps before starting construction.

1. Research

When analyzing a site, look beyond property boundaries. Research the site’s physical condition and history. Use online tools to access relevant information and visit the site in person. Take notes, pictures, and measurements to assess size, parking, accessibility, public transportation, and noise level. Gathering comprehensive information is key for a thorough analysis.

2. Analysis

After a site visit, analyze findings by reviewing and comparing information, using visual aids like diagrams. Consider project goals and site characteristics.

3. Synthesis

The information you gather and conclusions you reach during site analysis will provide context for your project. Data collection is important, but it must be transcribed into relevant content. Analysis will reveal which site conditions influence design parameters. Combine your research, observations, and limitations to begin schematic design and programming.

Site Analysis Ebook cover and contents

Site Analysis Checklist Of Data Types

Conducting thorough research and performing a comprehensive site analysis is of utmost importance. Inadequate site analysis may result in costly or difficult problems that could be hard to address during later stages of the design or construction process. During a site analysis, there are three types of data that should be collected and analyzed. We will discuss each of these data types separately. The best analysis considers all three. These include:

Mega , Macro, Micro

When conducting a site analysis, it is important to take a strategic approach that involves examining both objective and subjective data across three distinct scales.

Mega scale encompasses the broader context of the site, including the suburb and its relationships within the larger city.

Macro It refers to its large-scale context, including surroundings on all sides.

Micro It examines the minutiae, qualities, and characteristics of individual elements and objects.

The site and project cannot be considered independently, as they are part of an existing and constantly evolving. They are interdependent with and have connections to the immediate surroundings, the broader site, the suburb and city, as well as the local community and its residents.

Objective Or Hard Data

Objective or hard data refers to the physical characteristics of a site, independent of human interaction. This type of data is considered objective because it exists regardless of our observations or experiences. Objective data may include the following:

01 | Location

The place or position that something is.

Geographic Location: Determine the precise location of the site, including the address, lot number, or any other relevant reference.
Site Survey: Acquire the site survey document and extract meaningful information, such as measurements and other significant details.
Aerial Photographs And Maps: Gather historical and up-to-date aerial photographs and maps of the site, suburb, and surrounding areas. Analyze these documents to identify noteworthy information related to the site.
Site Boundary: Locate and verify the site’s boundaries, ensuring they are clearly defined and accurate on the physical location.
Dimensions: Ascertain the size, measurements, angles, shape, and proportions (including radii) of the site.

2 | Authorities

refer to the regulations, limitations, and permissions set by federal, state, and local government bodies. It’s crucial to identify both the level of government and the specific departments responsible for overseeing development in the area under consideration.

Zoning plans and documents to determine local zoning regulations. Evaluate allowances and restrictions for development and construction.

Overlay Obtain the overlay plans to identify any additional overlays, such as heritage, environmental, conservation, or green belt designations that may impact the site. Understand the allowances and restrictions for development and construction within these overlays.

Flood Levels Gather flood records to determine frequency of regular floods, such as 50- or 100-year floods. Note required building elevations above specified water levels.

3 | Adjacent Structures And Conditions

Provide information about the physical conditions that exist around all the boundaries of the site.
Land Uses Explore neighboring land uses, structures and spaces.
Adjacent Artificial Conditions Examine human-made conditions adjacent to the site, including private properties and public areas such as footpaths, entrances, and roadways.
Distance To ensure proper spatial planning, it is important to calculate the distances between the site and its neighboring sites, spaces, and structures.
Heights It is important to evaluate the various heights of the adjacent sites, spaces, and structures.
Vernacular Consider the vernacular, styles, and distinct features of neighboring sites and structures.

4 | Streetscapes, Elevations And Sections
Comprehensive depiction of vertical conditions in the area including streetscapes, elevations, and sections.
Streetscape Panoramas Of The Site Utilize panoramic photographs to provide a visual representation of the site and its surroundings, showcasing the area’s character, form, and materials.
Street And Site Elevations Please display the elevation at the boundary and/or center of the street, including the levels, boundaries, and permitted building envelope as defined by authorities. In addition, please show any vegetation, existing structures, and adjacent conditions, such as building and structure height and distances.
Site Sections Present cross-sectional views that illustrate levels, boundaries, vegetation, existing structures, and adjacent conditions including building and structure height and distances to provide a c6omprehensive understanding of the site’s characteristics.

5 | The Natural Physical Conditions And Features

refer to the inherent elements and characteristics of the site.

Typography Acquire existing surveys to verify accuracy of natural and man-made contours, levels, gradients, slopes, and terrain.

Vegetation It is important to identify and note the different types of vegetation on the site. Pay attention to their heights, canopy widths, and root coverage.

Geology, Soil Type, And Condition It is important to obtain any available geotechnical or soil reports to understand the soil and rock conditions on the site. This will help determine how these conditions may affect the type of structures or construction in different areas of the site. Knowing the geology, soil type, and condition will help make informed decisions about the feasibility and design of the construction project.

Natural Qualities And Characteristics Observe the natural materials, textures, colors, and patterns in and around the site.

6 | Artificial Physical Conditions

Artificial physical conditions refer to the man-made or human-created elements and features present on a site.

Roads And Curbs: Roads, curbs, materials, levels, dimensions, and conditions on or near the site.

Footpaths: The condition, materials, dimensions, and levels of footpaths on, adjacent to, or entering the site.

The ground surfaces and materials: include any materials that make up the ground surfaces on, entering, or adjacent to the site. This includes any steps, level changes, dimensions, and conditions.

Street Furniture: on or near the site such as benches, poles, hydrants, and bins, including their sizes, materials, and conditions.

7 | Climate

Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions across all seasons and times of day.

Sun path, Solar Gain, And Shadows: To understand the sun path and its impact on a building, conduct a comprehensive sun study at least three times a day and at different times of the year.

Precipitation: analysis for rainfall, snowfall, hail, and humidity levels in each season.

Temperature: Seasonal temperature variations( High, low, median, and average for each season).

Wind: Analyze wind direction and intensity for each season, identify exposed areas needing shelter, note existing shelter elements, and use wind roses to assist.

8 | Site History And Significance

A brief overview of the site’s previous uses, conditions, and significance.

Previous Use/s: A concise summary of the site’s previous uses, presented in bullet points.

Contamination: A brief overview of manufacturing, industrial, or other processes or operations that may have caused or are currently causing contamination on the site.

Archaeological Significance: refers to the importance of any structures or artifacts that might still be buried underground. It also encompasses information about the people who lived in the area and may have left behind objects or remnants of historical importance.

Historical Significance: It is important to consider any significant historical aspects of the site, including past uses, structures, and people associated with it that require preservation or recognition.

Site’s Cultural Significance: includes customs, behaviors, and ideas unique to a particular group or society.

Demographic Significance: The study of population demographics helps understand local needs.

9 | Neighborhood Context

Consider the site’s history and its impact on current state.

Significant Buildings, Structures, Spaces, Landmarks: Provide visual or photographic representation with annotations of noteworthy buildings, structures, spaces, and landmarks in the surrounding area.

Architectural Style/s, Character, And Qualities: Show prevalent architectural styles, character, and qualities in local buildings with visuals and annotations.

Subjective Or Soft Data

1 | Access and movement
The site’s entry points, exits, and pathways and their interactions.
People: These are the footpaths used by pedestrians, including entry, exit, and circulation paths within and around the site.
Vehicles: Refer to cars, trucks, bicycles, skateboards, or other means of transportation on the site, including the hierarchy of external and adjacent roads, as well as entry, exit, and circulation paths.
Public Transport Links: The site’s proximity to bus stops, train stations, taxi stands, tram stops, cycle lanes, and other transportation options, along with their routes, should be considered.

2 | Views
Refer to the visibility of a location and can be assessed by analyzing the surrounding areas and conducting walks.
Views In: Evaluate nearby perspectives and longer views from high points. Consider varying heights and identify potential viewing locations to test feasibility.
Views Out: Evaluate the site’s views of the surrounding environment, considering short-range and long-range perspectives, different elevations, and broader surroundings.

3 | Privacy
The act of keeping information, activities, or individuals hidden from others is privacy.

4 | Sound And Noise
The surrounding conditions, site’s state, and planned development produce auditory elements. Noise impact assessment – Identify external noise sources, consider wind pattern variations, and locate areas requiring internal noise protection measures.

5 | Smells
The scents – fragrances and odors released by the environment, current state of the location, and proposed development.
Smells In: Identify odors from outside, consider wind patterns, and protect site from internal odors.
Smells Out: Assess potential odors generated by the site, consider wind impact, and identify need for odor mitigation measures.

Site analysis is a crucial stage in the design process. It provides inspiration and guidance for developing concepts, making informed decisions, and discovering new design possibilities. Embrace it as an opportunity to ignite your interest and enthusiasm throughout the design process. Approach site analysis as an opportunity to consider each site’s specific needs. Use the checklist to determine which aspects are most significant. Focus on areas requiring thorough investigation and the aspects that will have the greatest impact on your design.