SITE PLANNING

C.A.T | ARS 204 | SEMESTER 4 | MODULE 2

Stages in
SITE ANALYSIS
SITE ANALYSIS
• Site analysis is a systematic study
of a site that takes place before
the design phase of an
architectural project.
• It helps architects understand the
site's physical attributes,
environmental factors, social
dynamics, and context.
“Site analysis is the process of investigating basic data that
relates to a particular site, such as survey information,
topographic data, geological information, zoning
ordinances (rules), existing character, microclimate,
development patterns, social patterns, etc.”
NEED / IMPORTANCE
OF SITE ANALYSIS

“Site Analysis is like a compass for architects”

“It’s a critical step that can make or break a project”

NEED / IMPORTANCE
OF SITE ANALYSIS

• Better understanding of the site –

gives a comprehensive
understanding of the site

(What are the connections between

neighbourhood structures, nearby
infrastructure, or the broader local community?
Further, how does the history of the site inform
its present state?)
NEED / IMPORTANCE
OF SITE ANALYSIS

• To understand the environmental

factors that can impact the
development and vice versa.

• To know legal and regulatory

considerations

• Helps in effective and sensitive

project planning. ( Site specific designs)
NEED / IMPORTANCE
OF SITE ANALYSIS

• Improves the quality of design

• Efficient use of resources

• Reduces Cost

(Identifying site constraints and opportunities early

on in the design process, architects can avoid costly
mistakes or changes later on)
SITE – An active network
SITE – An active network
• Sometimes as designers we may be
tempted to think of our project site
as an inert, passive situation

• We may consider it as simply a

piece of ground where our building
will sit.

“We should always remember that a site is never inert but is an

ongoing set of very active networks that are intertwined in complex
relationships.”
“Shadow patterns move across our site in a
particular way. Children may use our site as
a shortcut to school.
Our site may be used as an informal playground by
neighbourhood children. There is a traffic pulse that
ebbs and flows through and around the site over the
course of a day.
People may look across our site from their homes to
views beyond.
The contours may carefully route water to a site edge
where it does no damage to neighbours.
The corner may be used for a bus stop.

These are a few of the situations that make any site

active.”
We are about to place our building
within this active network.

It seems reasonable to assume that if we

are to integrate our design gracefully
into this network without destroying its
positive aspects, then we must first
make ourselves aware of the nature of
the network through contextual analysis.
Contextual analysis

Context is defined in the dictionary as

the "whole situation, background or
environment relevant to some event or
product."

Derived from the word contextus which means

"weave together."
Contextual analysis
Contextual analysis is a predesign
research activity which focuses on the
existing, imminent and potential
conditions on and around a project site.

The major role of contextual analysis

in design is that of informing us about
our site prior to beginning our design
concepts so that our early thinking
about our building can incorporate
meaningful responses to external
conditions.
Contextual analysis
Typical site issues addressed
in a contextual analysis are
• Utilities
• Site location • Significant on-site features
• Size (buildings, trees, etc.)
• Shape • Surrounding traffic
• Contours • Neighbourhood patterns,
• Drainage patterns • Views to and from the site
• Zoning and setbacks • Climate, micro-climate
Weaving the design after analysis

• The placement of buildings on

sites will always include some
alteration of the existing
conditions.

• What is important is that we

make these decisions
deliberately and thoughtfully
so that the effects of our
building on the site are not
accidental.
Should we
go “with” the site or “contrast” the site
Assessing site contexts
Assessing site contexts
Physiographic features
• Access and connectivity
• Boundary
• Topography
• Soils
• Rocks
• Hydrology
• Orientation and views
• Hazards / risks and sensitive zones
• Climate and micro climate
• Manmade features
Assessing site contexts
Biological features
• Existing vegetation
• Fauna
• Habitats
• Soil biota
• Ecological relations
Assessing site contexts
Infrastructure features
• Transport infrastructure
• Utility infrastructure(water supply, sewage, electricity, communication network etc)
• Social infrastructure (Education, healthcare, recreational, retail/ commercial)
Assessing site contexts
Regulatory
• Land ownership, legal status
and taxes.
• Zoning and Land use
• Building by laws / codes /
regulations (KMBR)
• Environmental regulations
Assessing site contexts
Land Use
• Existing land use of site and
surrounding
• Projected / future land use
Assessing site contexts
Historic and cultural features
• Heritage structures in and
around
• Archaeological importance
• Cultural landscapes
• Community identity
• Religious or spiritual
significance
• Construction techniques
Factors affecting SITE PLANNING
 Site

Natural Sensorial Manmade • Existing structures

features Aspects features • Historic/cultural sign.

• Location, roads,
• Topography
connectivity,
• Soils Land Sound/noise Access
• vehicular and
• Rocks
pedestrian access
• Surface and
subsurface Water Views • Sewage/ drain
Utilities /
drainage lines
Infrastructure • Electrical
• Flora, fauna • Connectivity
• Habitats Vegetation Smell Network
• Gas lines

• Temp, humidity,
Rainfall, wind
Climate Pollution
etc
INTEGRATON
SYNTHESIS
ANALYSIS
INFERENCES
• Synthesis of site analysis refers
to the process of taking and
analysing all the information
gathered during a site analysis -
including physical characteristics,
environmental factors, cultural
contexts etc.

• Creatively combining them to form a

comprehensive understanding of the
site, which can then be used to Through
inform design decisions and develop INTEGRATION OF DATA
a concept for a project
 INTEGRATION OF DATA

SYNTHESIS OF SITE ANALYSIS

INFERENCES

DESIGN DECISIONS
 INTEGRATION OF DATA

Method 1 Method 2
The composite (or) The separated or
integrated approach segregated approach

The composite or integrated The separated or segregated

approach attempts to state approach records the site
all the site data on one information separately over
drawing to emphasize the simplified referent drawings of
total situation and to the site. The referent drawing
sensitize us to the is repeated as many times as
relationships between we have data to present.
contextual factors.
A "referent drawing" in site
analysis is a detailed base
drawing that serves as a
reference point for further
analysis and design
development
DRAWING TYPES

Referent drawing

Referent drawing
 INTEGRATION OF DATA

Method 1 Method 2
The composite (or) The separated or
integrated approach segregated approach
 • This more "itemized" approach.
Further, it allows each piece of
contextual data have a clear
uncluttered expression. Because each
diagram has its own referent drawing.

• Even if we eventually integrate these

diagrams into one drawing, we may
want to record the site data during
THE
collection separately because this
SEGREGATED APPROACH allows us to use smaller, more
convenient referent drawings during
the on-site analysis.

• These separate drawings require us to

think about the logical sequence of
the information and how one piece of
information depends on others
(drainage dépends on contours, etc.)
Ways of sequencing
Diagrams
Interpretation of the diagrams is
our attempt to assign meaning to
what we have found out about our
site. We are trying to convert data
into information.
INFERENCES

In site analysis, inferences refer to the

conclusions we make about a site based
on the data gathered during our
analysis, essentially interpreting the
information to understand potential
design implications and opportunities
within the site's context, including its
physical features, surrounding
environment, regulatory limitations etc.