Site Analysis
INTD 112
Ms. Alzahraa Fatani
Site analysis
"Site analysis is the process
of researching, analyzing,
and synthesizing
information about a site to
inform and guide design
decisions.”
Edward T. White (Site Analysis: Diagramming Information for
Architectural Design)
Site analysis
"Site analysis is an essential
phase of the design process
that involves understanding
the site's natural and built
conditions, constraints, and
opportunities to develop
context-sensitive and
sustainable solutions.”
James A. LaGro Jr. (Site Analysis: A Contextual Approach to Sustainable Land Planning and
Site Design)
Site Analysis Data:
1. Location:
The site should be related to major streets or
landmarks previously existing. Aerial
photographs help in this assessment stage.
There should be documentation of distances
and time from major places. This should be
completed by either driving or walking the
distance first-hand.
Site Analysis Data:
2. Neighborhood context:
Zoning of the neighborhood is important,
and information of this type can typically
be found at the municipal planning
department of the site. Numerous issues
at this stage require direct observation.
Features of this sort include architectural
patterns, street lighting, and condition of
existing buildings.
Site Analysis Data:
3. Size and Zoning:
Site boundaries can be located by either
verifying the dimensions physically or
contacting the county tax assessor’s office.
Zoning classifications, set-backs, height
restrictions, allowable site coverage, uses,
and parking requirements are obtained by
obtaining zoning classifications from a zoning
map, which can be located from the city
planning department Infrastructure, social,
and political boundaries.
Site Analysis Data:
4. Legal:
Typical legal information can be obtained from
the deed to the property. The deed is held by the
owner of the title insurance company. In the
deed is information such as the property
description, present ownership, and the
governmental jurisdiction the site is located in,
and the city or county.
Site Analysis Data:
5. Natural Physical Features
Most of this information will be derived from the
topographic features on the site. A contour
map of this magnitude can be located from
the survey engineer. Drainage problems as well
as existing natural features of trees, ground
cover, ground texture, and soil conditions on
the site should be directly observed.
Site Analysis Data:
6. Man-Made Features
Features located on the site such as buildings, walls,
fences, patios, plazas, bus stop shelters should be noted.
The site and location of such features should be directly
measured. Documentation of existing historical districts
should be made, some of which may already have
reports completed. Locating this information can be
done through the municipal planning department for the
site.
Site Analysis Data:
7. Circulation
The uses of streets, roads, alleys,
sidewalks, and plazas are important in
this inventory step. It is not necessarily an
analysis of these elements but more an
analysis of what occurs on these
circulation gateways.
Site Analysis Data:
8. Utilities
Information for utilities concerning
the site can be found through the
utility departments and companies
in the local area. Generally, the
company has a print of the
drawing of this information
needed. Information in this print
includes the location of all utilities
and their locations around or on
the site itself.
Site Analysis Data:
9. Sensory
Much of the sensory information
collected will be done through firsthand
experience. The information is obtained
from sketching and photographs
(sometimes aerial photographs). Direct
observation of other sensory elements of
noise, odors, smoke, and pollution areas
must also be completed.
Site Analysis Data:
10. Human and cultural
This information can be obtained
through census statistics on the
neighborhood. Information
regarding these statistics is
available from the local
municipal planning agency. This
information includes activities
among people on the site and
their relationships to these
activities.
Site Analysis Data:
11. Climate
This information can be obtained
through the local weather service or any
third-party services such as DataPot
([Link] Conditions such as
rainfall, snowfall, humidity, and
temperature over months must be
considered and analyzed. The sun-path
and vertical sun angles throughout an
entire year are important to note.
Example:
Site analysis
Hand drawing
Example:
Site analysis
Hand drawing
Site Analysis Symbols
Site Analysis Symbols
Sun Wind Sound
Lines North Arrow Vegetation
Sun +
Sun Path
Wind Path
Sound
Lines
North Arrows
Vegetation