Site Analysis

• The assessment provides the relevant information regarding the environment, natural and artificial features of the site.
• This ought to be used as starting process for the design process.

Site analysis aids in the following ways :

• Avoiding inappropriate design responses
• Legal Applications
• Discovering interrelationships
• Greater efficiency when designing factors

• Location
• Neighborhood context
• Climate
• Site

Why there is need to look for location?

• To understand the relation of site with region and their influence on it.

Components of Location:

• State
• City
• Site

Why there is a need to study site at State level?

• To study site at regional level which gives information about:

Why there is a need to study site at City level?

• To study the site at the local level comprising of following:

• To study immediate or urban context (Paths, Edges, Districts, Nodes, Landmark) to site.

• Street name/ address Approach
• Orientation

What is Neighbourhood context?

• Immediate surrounding and it may include important factor around the site in its proximity.

Why there is a need to look at Neighbourhood context?

• To identify and analyse the various factors in the vicinity that could affect the site's built environment.

• Immediate context
• Circulation
• Sensory

What is Immediate context?

• It refers to all activities which are taking place around the site w.r.t allocation and development.

Why there is a need to look at Immediate context?

• To understand the influence of surrounding zoning on site w.r.t users and activities.

What is site and surrounding circulation?

• Movement pattern on and around the site.

Why there is a need to look at site and surrounding circulation?

• To understand accessibility to the site.

Vehicular

• Bus routes
• Traffic generators

Pedestrian

• Pathways
• Footpaths

Road networks

• Widths
• Major, minor streets

What is sensory perception?

• Observation of audio visual stimuli to and from the site and to take its advantage.

Why there is a need to look at sensory aspect of site?

• To judge the relative desirability of sensory conditions on site.

• Visual/Views
• Noise
• Odour

How to study Neighbourhood Context?

• It is hereby explained through a residential site example:

What is climate?

• Mean weather conditions over a period of time

Why there is need to look for climate?

• To harness prevailing climatic conditions for creating comfort conditions
• Protect space and building from prevailing winds, cold and from down pour- rain and snow
• Efficient daylight into space and building
• Shade and exposure to sunlight via openings
• Durability and optimum usage of materials

Components of Location:

• Macro Climate
• Micro Climate

What is macro climate?

• Overall climate of the region.

• Temperature
• Relative humidity
• Wind direction
• Rainfall

What is micro climate?

• Immediate local climatic conditions

• Topography
• Water bodies
• Vegetation
• Construction materials

Note: A Special features like water bodies, green and open spaces near the site affect the microclimate, So allocation of activities on the site should be done accordingly

How to study climate?

• Macro Climate: Climatic information such as rainfall, snowfall, wind directions, temperatures, sun path, all assessed during the different times of the year.
• Micro Climate: To analyse the micro climate according to the occupancy or usage of the project

For example: A. Residence Why is there a need to assess the Site?

• To analyse different aspects of site on and around it.

Components of site:

• Size and by laws
• Natural physical features
• Man made features

What includes in size and by laws?

• Dimensional aspects and legal verification of site like Building by laws, Sustainable by laws, etc.

Why there is a need to study by laws?

• To ensure the orderly development of site.
• Sufficient ventilation and air.
• No building blocks the lighting and ventilation of neighbors.
• Health and comfort conditions.

• Dimensions
• Area
• Shape
• Boundaries

• Built up area
• Restricted height
• Setbacks
• Parking
• Allowable usage
• FAR, BAR

How to study by laws?

• By laws is to be studied from the local government development authority for understanding prevailing by law

What are Natural Physical Features?

• It includes different landforms of site and its characteristics

Why is there a need to look at Natural Physical Features?

• To analyse the placement of different activities of site w.r.t. the existing features.

Components of site:

• Geology
• Topography
• Seismic zone
• Geo-hydrology
• Flora & Fauna

What is Geology?

• Earth science comprising study of solid earth.

Why there is a need to look at it?

• To assess the nature of soil and in turn the stability of land and its effect on the building.

• Soil type
• Bearing capacity
• Stability

How to study geology?

• It can be analysed according to type of soil.

For example: a. Coarse Grained Soils (eg. Sands and Gravel) What is Topography?

• Slope and level of the land.

Why there is a need to look at Topography?

• To understand allocation of activities w.r.t topography.

How to study topography?

• To study topography through different slope of the land.

For example: a. Ridge What is Seismic Zone?

• Seismic zone is a region in which the rate of seismic activity remains fairly consistent

Why there is a need to look at Seismic activities?

• To ensure structure and stability of building depending upon these seismic activities

What is Geohydrology?

• It refers to study of ground water

Why there is a need to look at Geohydrology?

• To analyse the effects of the water table, soil porosity, seepage, soil strength and how it affects the building.

What is Flora and Fauna?

• Available vegetation like trees, crops etc and living organisms like insects , termites etc

Why there is a need to look at Flora and Fauna?

• To understand the influence of flora and fauna on project development.

What are Man made Features?

• Things that are created or caused by humans rather than occurring naturally on and around the site

Why there is a need to look at Man made Features?

• To understand the influence of man made features for the development of the site

Note: Data should be supported with maps, plans, elevations and sections, isometrics or perspective and relevant photographs. All information is pertinent to your project.