Site Analysis and Case

Study
Disclaimer….
• You might be familiar with the content of
this presentation….
• It doesn't claims to be the only way to do
site study and case study…. You may device
your own ways.
• Might be a repetition for you … but may be
helpful as it is little sequential.
• Computerized software simulations may add
a quality to your site analysis.
This presentation talks about….

• A systematic stepwise process of site

analysis.
• Site synthesis to formulate zoning with
respect to site analysis.
• Process of case study.
 According to Francis DK Ching
-Conceive the need.
In response to existing set of conditions

To Conceive - Recognition of a problematic condition

- Conceiving the requirement

-Realizing as per the context/ existing set of

conditions.
- As an art ,
-1. Satisfying more than purely functional
To Design & Realize requirements.
-2. Fundamentally, the physical
manifestation of architecture to
accommodate human activity.
-3 Arrangement and ordering of forms and
spaces

To built -To bring practical reality.

- To construct as an Architectural marvel.
 To Conceive

A Thesis project

To Design & Realize

To built
Essentials of Thesis project….
A good conception

A good documentation of
existing conditions and data
A thesis project

Site study and synthesis

Case studies

Area Programming

Design/ Concept Development

Drawings
Site Analysis
Why ? Site Analysis

SITE ANALYSIS IS DONE;

• To produce simple, livable, economical,
Attractive & effective pattern of land use in
which the land & building/s are integrated
to harmonize, not conflict with the
character of land.
What is Site Analysis?

It is the process of studying the,

- Contextual forces that influence the
building orientation, Layout, Its spaces,
shape & articulate its enclosure.
- And to Establish its relation to the
landscape.
- To integrate and harmonize with the
existing conditions but not conflict.
What is Site Analysis?

It’s a part of design process…

• by which we mean that it follow a logical
sequence of actions or events that must be
carried out to arrive at a viable solution.
• by which we attempt to best utilization of
the existing site conditions / situations so as
to integrate the built with the site to
harmonize not to conflict.
The Process of Site Analysis:
•We first need to identify the factors (inventory) and
then analyze each factor’s potential impact upon the
proposed development.
• Draw the area & shape of the site as defined by its
legal boundaries. (Base Map with contours)
• Analyze the ground slopes to locate the suitable areas
for construction.
• Map existing drainage pattern.
• Locate existing vegetation.
• Identify existing water features such as wetlands
streams etc.
The process…….
• Map Climatic conditions, sun path, direction of
prevailing wind, rainfall etc.
• Impact of adjacent structures & landforms on solar
access, prevailing winds, glare etc.
• Determine possible points of access from adjacent
roadways.
• Study possible circulation paths.
• Identify the availability of utilities: water mains,
sanitary & storm sewers, electrical power lines,
telephone & cable lines etc.
The process……..

• Identify the scope of desirable & objectionable

views
• Potential sources of congestion & noise.
• Map the proximity to public, commercial, medical &
recreational facilities.
• Identify the Byelaws for the area.
• All these factors are then synthesized for the
development plan process.
A step by step process…
List of Items to carry for site visit

• City plan, • Sketch book,

• Blow up plan of Site and • Pencils, rubber, sharpener,
surroundings • Sketch pens,
• Site plan (Preferably contour • laptop (If required).
plan) • Carry your bonafide
• Essential queries for site certificates / ID card.
study • A letter from the Institution.
• Measuring tape • Take care of your valuables
• Compass like camera, laptop etc.
• Camera,
Essentials for site study

• Prior familiarization with site (be familiar with site with a

thorough study with the help of google image)
– A google image must (in at least 3 levels of scale)
– Exact location
– Idea of surroundings
– Nearby landmarks
• Carry at least 10-15 (A3 size) photocopies of your site.
• List of queries (What to study ?)
• Prior information regarding the ownership of land/ project,
permission (if required), Architect etc.
• Try to meet the project Architect.
1. Introduction for site study

• General introduction with respect to your

project.
• Introduction of City, region , area.
• Importance of region/ area (why project in
that area)
• About Site and its surroundings
• Other relevant information for the
introduction.
• All the above should be supported with maps,
plans and relevant photographs.
Inferences
?
2. Site Location
• Site with respect to its;
• Geographical
• Political
• functional context.
• its relation with adjacent landuses.
• Community transportation pattern.
• Community transportation network.
• Utility and Infrastructure availability.
• Employment,
• Commercial, Market.
• Educational Facilities.
•Entertainment
• Cultural & Recreational centre.
Inferences
?
3. SITE SIZE & SHAPE

• The shape and size forces its impact on the

project.
• There are no abstract optimums for shape.
• Very narrow or irregular properties restricts the
choice of possible building & its placement.
• The narrower the site, greater the influence of
adjacent building/ s on its supply of light & air.
• Conversely, the wider the site the weaker the
influence
3. SITE SIZE & SHAPE

• Area statement
• Total area of site.
• FAR gives the permissible built up area.
• Permissible ground coverage. (gives the no.
of possible floors)
• Height restrictions
• Setbacks
• Developmental controls (if any)
Inferences
?
4. Existing Site Conditions
Depending upon the size and complexity of the site, this
may be one or a series of base plans or maps that
delineates and evaluates the physical attributes and
constraints for the parcel of land. It will cover items
such as:
a. Topography and slopes.
b. Geology and soils.
c. Vegetation.
d. Hydrology and drainage.
e. Macro & Microclimate.
f. Views.
g. Existing Structures / Infrastructure.
h. Legal constraints.
4a. Topography & Slopes
Information required in the form of detailed
contour map. Visually, as well as functionally,
the form of the landscape, its slopes and
patterns are one of the most important
categories to consider.
Topographic map provides lots of information
including;
a. Potential for development.
b. Drainage patterns and problems.
c. Erosion and sedimentation potential
d. Potential on- site and off-site views.
SLOPE PERCENTAGE

• Slope percentage is
identified by dividing the
contour interval with the
horizontal distance
between the two
contours, multiplied by
100.
• i.e. Slope percentage=
D/L X100
• & Gradient if % is 5%
Then, is 5/100= 1:20
DESIRABLE SLOPES
EXAMPLES OF COMMONLY USED GRADIENTS
A typical slope breakdown might include:

• 0-2% - Most developable

• 2-8% - Easily accommodates most categories
of development
• 8-16% - Some development restrictions;
upper limits for roads and walks
•16-24% - Significant restrictions to most
development
• 24%+ - Generally restricted for development
a. Potential for Development
.
.

Slope
suitability
details
Inferences
?
4b. Geology and soil.
• The subsurface geology is the basis for the visible
landform.
• Engineering characteristics such as bearing capacity
that determine suitable locations for structures and
other heavy elements.
• A high water table may limit or restrict some sanitary
sewage options.
• The soils may be important in terms of stability,
suitability for structural foundations, erosion
susceptibility, surface drainage, and soil fertility to
support plant growth. Again, the suitability of soils is
very much dependent upon the proposed uses.
Geology and soil.
Inferences
?
4c. Vegetation.
• The existing vegetation patterns and types can be obtained
from aerial photographs and maps. Detailed plant
identification and location of specimen plants may require
field study and measurement.
•The significance of vegetative information relates to a range
of development issues.
• The visual character and spatial definition of a site is
impacted by the amount and category of vegetation –
from ground cover, from new growth to mature stands of
trees, etc.
• Vegetation can modify the climate by providing shade,
protecting potential development from winter winds or by
channeling summer breezes.
• Plant coverage enhances soil stability, provides an
indication of soil conditions (e.g., wetlands) and relates to
potential wildlife habitats.
Vegetation.
Inferences
?
4d. Hydrology and Drainage .
• Surface hydrology is an integral part of the slopes and
subsurface drainage systems.
• The kinds of information normally indicated and analyzed
include determination of watersheds (basically a system of
ridge lines and valleys or drainage patterns), duration and
volume of flow, streams, standing water, and flood plain
definition.
• Susceptibility to erosion and the problem of sedimentation
to off-site water flow are also problems to be noted.
•Generally it is advisable to avoid disturbing natural
subsurface drainage patterns such as high water tables which
have implications for locations of structures or excavations.
Hydrology & Drainage
Inferences
?
 4e. Macro & Microclimate.
• Information on general climatic factors such as seasonal
temperature averages, amounts of precipitation, etc. are
available locally.
• Microclimatic factors refer to variations to the general climate
such as might be created by topography, plants and vegetation,
exposure to winds, elevation above sea level, and relationships to
structural elements. These factors are important to design in
terms of delineating the “opportunities and constraints”
•Slopes are analyzed in relation to solar orientation to determine
“warm” and “cool” slopes, based on sun exposure.
•Shade and shadow patterns created by existing vegetation and
structures are important to design in terms of potential positive
or negative impacts for development.
Microclimate
Inferences
?
4f. ORIENTATION

• Orientation is the placement of building/ s

to get the best advantages in relation to its
physical location.
• Major considerations are
– Sunlight
– Wind direction
– Views
 SUNLIGHT
• The objective of orientation for the sun is to
obtain sunlight when it is desired and to
block out sunlight when it is not desired.
• It is difficult to make a universal assumption
in this respect.
• It is desirable to have maximum of sunlight
during winter & to avoid the hot summer
sun, particularly in afternoon & late
afternoon
BUILDING ORIENTATION
SOLAR CONSIDERATIONS
SOLAR CONSIDERATIONS
 THUS SUNLIGHT/ SUN PATH STUDY HELPS :

• To decide orientation.
• To decide about shading devices, overhangs &
louvers.
• To distinguish among cool & warm areas with
respect to surrounding vegetation & building/ s.
• To decide about openings.
• To decide about desired & undesired sunlight.
Inferences
?
 WIND DIRECTION
• Buildings especially in warmer climates, should be
oriented towards the prevailing and the predominant
wind direction in addition to the sun orientation.
However, this may not always be possible.
• Building location with respect to prevailing breezes is
an important planning factor, especially in warmer
climate.
• THUS IDENTIFICATION OF PREVAILLING WIND DIRECTION &
WIND DIRECTION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IS IMPORTANT TO
DECIDE THE ORIENTATION, POSITION OF OPENINGS.
 BREEZES & VENTILATION
• Landscaping
plans can be
custom
designed so
that trees &
other plantings
buffer a home
from hot sun &
cold winds,
and also
channel cool
breezes.
 AIR FLOW AROUND ABUILDING
• Vortexes are
formed whenever
the laminar flow is
separated from
the surfaces of
solid bodies. On
windward side
such vortexes are
at an increased
pressure & on
leeward side at a
reduced pressure.
 LACK OF CROSS VENTILATION

EFFECT OF OPENNIG POSITIONS

VENTILATION
Inferences
?
4g. Views.
• A visual analysis is the most practical means of
determining positive and negative on-site and off-site
views.
• This study is useful in determining the visual
character of the site itself as viewed from the outside
as well as the visual impact of its surroundings upon
potential on-site development.
• Factors to be examined include mass and space
definition from natural and man-made elements, off-
site views to be accentuated or screened, and on-site
view opportunities or problems.
 VISUAL ANALYSIS

• Visual
analysis is
performed in
order to
identify
panoramic
view points.
• Identification
of location of
building’s
elevations.
VIEW PROTECTION
VIEW PROTECTION
Inferences
?
4g. NOISE CONTROL

• A thoughtful location & orientation of building/

s on a site can aid in controlling the noise.
• Buildings can be located in the quite areas of a
site with windowed facades facing the quite
areas & with heavy window less walls facing the
sources of sound.
• Acoustical shielding can be provided by existing
terrain, natural landscaping etc.
USE OF VARIOUS NOISE BARRIERS

NOISE BARRIERS & WIND DIRECTION

TECHNIQUES TO CONTROL TRAFFIC NOISE
Inferences
?
 4h Existing Structures / Infrastructure
•The availability of essential utilities – water, sanitary sewer,
storm sewer, gas, electric, telephone, etc. – is crucial to the
potential for site development from both an economic and
environmental standpoint. If utilities are available to tap into
directly adjacent to a site, the costs of development may be
significantly minimized.
• If storm and sanitary sewers are not available, the options for
land development may be severely restricted.
• Off-site systems such as transportation networks (vehicular,
pedestrian, bicycle) may also be the determining factor in the
suitability of a site for a particular land use.
• This relates to issues of accessibility, ranging from commuting
distances to work, to convenience and safety for pedestrians, to
enhancement of recreation opportunities.
Inferences
?
4i. Legal Constraints

• These may include legal property boundaries, Right

of way, etc.
•Bye laws for the site;
• FAR & FSI restrictions
• Setbacks
• Height restrictions
• Permissible covered area restrictions
• Permissible built up area etc.
Inferences
?
Site Synthesis
Synthesis in the form of
Development of Plan (Zoning plan)

• Every factor of site is analysed and identified

for a best possible solution of building
disposition on site.
• Combining all the factors (Overlaying all the
Layers) can give the best possible solution for
the building design on site.
• The whole site should be subdivided into
areas preferable areas of development with
respect to requirements of project
Synthesis in the form of Basic
considerations for grouping and
disposition of Building/s and open
areas. (A plan indicating the above)
Considerations for Form and planning with
respect to site.
• Site conditions studied force the basic
character of building form and the external
and internal spaces.
• Bye laws
• Climatic conditions
• functional and Aesthetic aspects.
• Rather all the factors studied under site
analysis will be affecting the form and
spatial planning.
Guidelines
for
Case Study
 Essentials for case study

• City plan • Pencils, rubber, sharpener,

• Blow up plan of Site and Sketch pens.
surroundings • laptop (If required).
• Site plan • Carry your bonafide certificate
• Plan/ s of the project. / ID card.
• Blow up plan of every area of • A letter from the Institution.
the project • Take care of your valuables like
• Measuring tape camera, laptop etc.
• Compass
• Camera
• Sketch book
 Note:
• Give your explanations with the help of Graphical
representations. (Be as much graphical as possible, do
not explain only with the help of text)

• Kindly understand “WHY” we are doing case study (we

are doing case study to identify the do’s and don’ts
when we are going to design, to learn from the mistakes
the existing project did and learn from the good things
they.)
 Note:
• Prepare a Methodology which is stepwise, to be adopted
for the achievement of a complete case study.

The main listing of the stepwise process will be ;

Step1: Before commencing the study list out the available

requirements of the project, so as to get a complete idea of
the work to be done.

Step2: Organize the study with respect to the total work to

be done in the available time.

Step 3: Divide the whole work into parts and perform an

extensive study for each aspect.
 Note:
Step 4: Before commencing the study list out the
various aspects of study for a particular requirement.

Step 5: Following Trip Chain Phenomenon may be an

approach for the Case Study. (A trip chain phenomenon
is, A systematic and stepwise approach for the whole
project analysis and synthesis in the way you visited one
by one all the requirements of a project following your
movement pattern.)
For Example (Structure your case study for the
identification, explanation, analysis and inferences for
each aspect of study.)

• Introduction:
– Introduction of the project
– The City.
– Small description of the city in which the project
proposed
– Relevance of location with respect to city.
– Its relevance with the city (if any).
Information’s to be studied about the project:
•
– General information- Ownership, Architect, Cost, influence area etc related
with the project.
– Basic Concept/ Philosophy of the Design
– Various activity spaces along with area analysis, functional analysis and
interrelationship between various activities.
– Study and analysis of the built form.
– Analysis for accessibility and inclusiveness of Design.
– Structural system (column grid, column sizes, span etc.) Construction details,
technology and construction methods, materials & finishes used.
– Analysis based on the capacity of each requirement.
– Relevant specialty such as interiors, landscaping, acoustics, special materials
and aesthetic features used.
– Urban controls, elevational features, finishes etc.
– Any other information about the project.
– Services: Electrical, mechanical, sanitary, water supply, communication etc.
– The information collected through above studies is to be presented with
analysis/ comparative analysis/ combined analysis/ explaining conclusive
findings in terms of its merits and demerits about each requirements.
LOCATION:
(Use a Citymap/ Site and surroundings map/ site plan / Plan/s
Detail plans)
• With the help of a location plan;
• Location with respect to Country- State- City- Area- The site
• Explanation of the location- (Urban, sub urban, or rural) in relation to the
near by landmark/s.
• Justification/ Criticism of the location in terms of Zone, Surroundings,
Catchments area, Present and future Environment, economic, social etc.
• Appreciation/ Criticism based on available transport facilities/ conveyance.
• Analysis of the provided access to the site.
• Analysis for the appropriateness of the entry to the site with respect to
the surrounding and possible access routes.
• Inferences in the form of merits and demerits of the location of site/ entry
to the site etc.
• SITE PLANNING:
• (Use a the Site and surrounding plan/ site plan and bow up plan for
explanation.)
• Site analysis, in terms of direction coordinates orientation and other Site
planning aspects etc (Off site and on site considerations).
• Land use diagram/ Inter relation ship of various activities in terms of site.
• Inter relationship of various requirements/ activities of the project.
• Explanation of planning aspects on the basis of principles of Architecture,
i.e. Axis, Symmetry, Form, Harmony, Balance, Unity, Contrast, Rhythm,
Hierarchy, Scale, Proportion, Colour, Texture etc (if any).
• Explanation of the concept followed for the building design. What it is?
How it is influencing the Building? What role it is playing for Building
design? How Circulation, pedestrian/ service/ users/ workers / visitors/
vehicular etc is affected due to the concept.
• Space allocation of various activities.
• Most important is your take about the concept. (i.e. the merits and
demerits of the concept with respect to the building that came up, the
use of its spaces and its use with respect to the user.
• CONCLUSION in the form of merits and demerits.
 PARKING :

• Access/ Approach,
• How it is?
• Whether inviting or not?
• Road width, dimensionally proper or improper, whether two way or one
way, Merits/ Demerits?
• How it leads to parking?
• How’s the access to the parking facility?
• Arrangement of parking lanes.
• How’s vehicular & pedestrian traffic separated (to minimise conflict)
• How it leads to the areas of the Building.
• Whether appropriate or not with respect to the front and back of the
building.
• How inclusive it is?
• CONCLUSION in the form of merits and demerits.
• SIMILARLY THE STUDY IS TO BE PERFORMED FOR EACH &
EVERY REQUIREMENT / ACTIVITY of the whole project.

• In addition kindly add the study of ;

• A separate study of the user and user satisfaction.

• Built form of the whole project / Aesthetics etc. and

inferences in the form of merits and demerits.
• SERVICES:
• Electrical, Sanitary, Mechanical, Airconditioning, etc.
• inferences in the form of merits and demerits.

• FINISHES:
• Surface finishes: walls, ceiling, flooring etc.
• Colour, texture.
• inferences in the form of merits and demerits.

• OVER ALL/ FINAL CONCLUSIONS BASED ON CONCLUSIONS

OF EVERY SUB TITLE/ REQUIREMENTS/ ACTIVITY ETC.
Thanks

• All pictures/ images are from:

• TSS Housing
• R. M. Lilly & W. M. Loll