Site Analysis

What do you mean by site analysis?

Site analysis is considered as the early phase in the architectural and urban design processes that gathers information on a variety of subjects, including climate, geography, history, law, infrastructure and site features. and later on this data is used in the design process to provide more responsive & relevant solution to the site context.

What do you mean by site analysis?

How to do a Site Analysis?

1) Site Mapping

2) Site Orientation

3) Topographical Analysis

4) Climatic Analysis

5) Utilities & Existing Infrastructure

6) Vegetation

7) Architectural and surrounding Context

8) Sensory components

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How to do a Site Analysis?

Site analysis is one of the important stages in the architecture design process where students are supposed to collect data about the site and its surrounding for further design consideration as the design outcome must be in response to the data collected from the site.  Site analysis generally comes after the completion of literature studies and case studies in the architecture design process. so in this article, we are going to discuss the essential considerations for a fruitful site analysis.

1) Site Mapping: Being an architecture student some times you have to do a lot of work on your own and site mapping is one of the early works in the site analysis stage when your teacher does not provide you the specified boundary for the site and instead of that they just gave you the big chunk of land in that you have confined your site. In such cases, site mapping plays a very vital role in the design process so it's very important to map the site properly and accurately. 

Nowadays with the help of advanced tools like google earth, wikimapia, and google maps, you can easily confine your site with proper length as well as area in addition to that other required information also can be interpreted by using ArcGIS Software and later can be exported to draughting software like AutoCAD and ArchiCAD. Once you did the site mapping means now you got the data regarding your site location, dimensions of the site, and angles as well. Mapping also includes the demarcation of connecting road pathways and other means of transportation that are directly connected with the site. In the case of roads, demarcation must be proper with illustrations on the typology of roads like one way or two or how many lanes roads like that must be included in your site mapping sheet with proper road width dimensions. Regarding the drafting or development of the plans for site mapping, there are some architectural standard scales that must be followed by the students to get the proper legibility of the site.

1. 1:50 

2. 1:100

3. 1:200

4. 1:500

5. 1:1000

6. 1:2000

2) Site Orientation: After the mapping now you have to find out the orientation of the site which means you have to check which side of your site follows which direction you can do this by physically visiting the site using a magnetic compass or in case if are not interested to visit the site then you can do it by using any of the application like google earth, google map. Wikimapia etc after that you have to clearly demark the north direction in your site mapping sheet and it is mandatory to demark on all the sheets where ever you are developing plans whether site plan or floor plans etc.

3) Topographical Analysis: In this particular section students are supposed to collect the data to understand the nature of the site in this section the first task is to analyze the nature or type of the site whether the site is plane land or contoured site or a sloppy site, 

after the identification of the type of site, students are supposed to analyze and demark the following in the sheet;

1. demarcation of connecting road level with respect to the site

2. demarcation of site slope (highest point & Lowest point)

3. The site section is mandatory to include

4. in the case of a contours site, a detailed survey plan is required 

5. any existing or man-made water body or lake or any other structure 

6. site surface type (loose surface or tight surface)

7. Site surface texture (means surface covered with grass or shrubs or anything else)

8. Type of soil

9. soil bearing capacity (SBC)

10. identification of seismic zones for the design of earthquake-resistant buildings 

4) Climatic Analysis: In this section of the study, students are supposed to collect data in relation to the components of climate like; 

1. identification of the climatic zone 

2. identification of all seasonal data (winter, summer, autumn, etc)

3. Maximum and minimum temperature with respect to season and month 

4. Maximum & minimum rainfall data with respect to season and month 

5. Seasonal wind direction 

6. Local wind direction 

7. Macro or microclimate influencer component (artificial or natural water body, existing forest nearby the site)

8. Sun-path angle with respect to the site

9. Humidity data 

5) Utilities & Existing Infrastructure: Under this section students are supposed to collect the data in terms of what facilities are available on the site or near the site like; 

1. Water supply line 

2. Sewage line 

3. Electricity supply

4. Transportation facilities and road networks from transportation hubs like the nearest railway station, airport, bus station, or any other

5. Fire station and police station in terms of security and safety 

6) Vegetation: In this section of the study, students are supposed to collect data regarding existing site vegetation in terms of like 

1. what are the native species of the region? 

2. what is the existing status of trees and plants? 

7) Architectural and surrounding Context:  In this section, students will collect some of the theoretical and philosophical data like what is the architectural styles in the surroundings? and develop an understanding of the surrounding context 

1. surrounding building types and their architectural styles (modern, local, or any other)

2. surrounding building conditions

3. association of any heritage value to the site or nearby the site 

4. association of any religious value to the site or nearby the site 

5. association of any seasonal or occasional activity nearby site  

6. any additional value which helps and supports you to design and is required to be considered while designing 

8) Sensory components: The sensory components of site analysis in architecture design typically include factors related to sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. This includes analyzing the visual landscape of the site, considering the surrounding sounds and noise levels, evaluating the texture and materials of the ground and built structures, assessing any odors or smells present in the area, and considering any flavors associated with the local food or culture. By taking these sensory factors into account during site analysis, architects can design more effective and engaging spaces that are better suited to their intended purpose.

Conclusion:

As an architectural designer, you can make the most of every aspect of a project to more effectively communicate the concepts underlying the final architecture you want to design. Before starting the design phase of a project, become as familiar with and knowledgeable about the context as you can. By considering the physical attributes and history of a place, as well as the implications of these elements, an architectural project can begin to become grounded in reality. Your entry into the programming/schematic design phase, the decisions you make during the remaining design stages, and, if done successfully, the needs of the community the project sits within, will all be guided by the questions that are answered during the site analysis process. For whatever reason, the site that was given to you might not be the best option for the current project. The best indicator of a project's success in architecture is whether it can meet the needs of those who will use it and will be most impacted by it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 What are the four essential elements of site analysis?

Q.2 What are the different types of site analysis that exist in architecture design?

Q.3 Who can be involved in the site analysis?

Q.1 What are the four essential elements of site analysis?

Essential elements of site analysis in architecture are:

1. Physical analysis: This includes analyzing the physical characteristics of the site, such as topography, climate, soil conditions, vegetation, and natural features like rivers, streams, or lakes.

2. Social analysis: This considers the social and cultural factors of the site, such as population and demographics, local customs and traditions, community needs and values, and any historic or cultural significance of the area.

3. Economic analysis: This evaluates the economic factors of the site, such as property values, land use patterns, development potential, and economic opportunities or challenges in the surrounding area.

4. Legal and regulatory analysis: This includes analyzing laws and regulations that impact development on and around the site, such as zoning laws, building codes, environmental regulations, and other legal requirements that must be considered during the design process.

By considering all four of these essential components during site analysis, architects can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the site's context and develop designs that respond more effectively to its unique opportunities and challenges.

Q.2 What are the different types of site analysis that exist in architecture design?

In Architecture design, site analysis is an important part of the design process which involves studying the site and its surrounding environment to understand its characteristics, constraints, and opportunities. There are different types of site analysis that architects use to gather information about the site, and some of these include:

Physical Site Analysis: This involves studying the site's topography, climate, orientation, vegetation, soil type, water sources, and other physical features that influence the site's design.

Cultural Site Analysis: This type of analysis involves studying the cultural, historical, and societal context of the site, including the existing buildings, infrastructure, neighboring buildings, and their significance in the local community.

Economic Site Analysis: This involves studying the site's economic potential and opportunities. This includes researching the local economy and the demographics of the area, identifying potential clients, and understanding the potential for future development.

Environmental Site Analysis: This involves studying the environmental impact of the site and the project, including potential environmental hazards or opportunities like air pollution, water quality, energy efficiency, and sustainable design.

Functional Site Analysis: This type of analysis involves understanding the intended use of the site and ensuring that the design meets the functional requirements of the project, including circulation patterns, access points, parking availability, and zoning regulations.

These are just a few types of site analysis that architects can use to help inform their design decisions and create successful and responsible buildings that respond well to the site's unique context.

Q.3 Who can be involved in the site analysis?

The site analysis in architecture design can involve a range of individuals and professionals with different expertise and roles. These can include:

1. Architects: Architects are primarily responsible for leading the site analysis process to understand the site's specific context, conditions, and requirements. They use this information to develop a design that responds well to the site and respects its unique characteristics.

2. Engineers: Engineers can be involved to analyze the technical aspects of the site, such as the soil conditions, load-bearing capacity, and accessibility conditions.

3. Landscape Architects: Landscape architects can be involved to study the site's natural systems, such as soil quality, vegetation, and waterways. They can also analyze the site's spatial organization and how it can be harmonized with the built environment.

4. Sociologists/Anthropologists: Anthropologists and sociologists can be involved to study the social and cultural aspects of the site, including the community's social and cultural history, current lifestyles, and values.

5. Geographers: Geographers can help to map out the site's location and the surrounding environment, including the location of transportation routes, infrastructure, and other features.

6. Environmental Scientists: Environmental scientists can be involved to study the site's environmental conditions, such as air and water quality, to identify potential hazards and opportunities for sustainable design.

7. Urban planners: Urban planners specialize in the study and design of urban areas and communities. They can be involved to help assess the site's position in the larger urban context, the public space network, and the natural and physical surroundings.

Ultimately, the involvement of different professionals in the site analysis depends on the project's scope and the site's specific needs. With that said, the teamwork between different professionals during the site analysis and design process ensures that the design and function of the building respond well to the specific site context.