KNBT-Architectural Design Site Analysis

Architectural Design I-2192

Site Analysis Lecture II

Site Analysis

The process of surveying or studying the existing environment and how it will influence the structure’s design and layout on the site.

Site Analysis involves :-

-taking an inventory of site elements Gather relevant information about site -Analyze these features relative to the clients needs & aims and incorporate them into the design

Diary of the Architect

It was almost 2PM

when I left my office to visit Mr Smith’s site for residence. As the site was located in the suburb, it took me half an hour to reach the place. After pulling the car along the front side of the site, the first thing that

busy noisy road. As I walked through the temporary fence across the cooling shades of the tress, I saw the beautiful city centre that I left a while ago. The cool breeze that comes from the city is bliss for a hot afternoon of like this. Looking at the scenic view across the down sloping terrain of the back side of the compound, I caught my attention was the

old eucalyptus trees grown on the site

bordering the

thought for a while if this is one of the reasons that convinced Mr Smith to buy the plot. It could be considering his taste for visual arts. When I got back to the car, I was reminded of global warming and Copenhagen. The sun ray coming directly through the windscreen was the culprit.

2PM

Busy and noisy

Site Analysis  Physical Factors  Topography  Soil  Geographic location  Climate  Solar orientation  Prevailing winds  Plant material  Water  Cultural and man-made features  Zoning Ordinances  Codes  Historical values  Sensory Factors  Views  Sounds  Smells

Physical Factors Topography Three key attribute maps can be derived from a topographic survey. Elevation -effects both drainage & visibility pattern.

-Determines the size & spatial configuration of local view sheds Slope reflects the local area’s geology, climate.  A slope’s orientation ,or aspect, is the direction the slope faces.

Variation in slope and aspect influence the amount of solar radiation received by the site& drainage patterns

ď ąPhysical Factors Topography

ď ąPhysical Factors Topography Effects of Slope on Building Design

Physical Factors Topography Contour lines are imaginary lines in plan view that connect points of equal height above a datum or bench mark. Each contour line represents the form in which the site acquires over a specified elevation. Contour lines are continuous and never intersect each other. They change in shape, but never in elevation.

Physical Factors Topography

Subsurface Features – Geology: Geological history of the area, bedrock type & depth etc.

– Hydrology: Underground water table, aquifers, springs etc.

– Soil Genesis: erosion susceptibility, moisture (pF), reaction (pH) organic content, bearing capacity etc.

Physical Factors Topography

All buildings rely on soil for their ultimate support.

The underlying foundation is effected by the soil’s strength.

The soil type affects:the type and size of a building’s foundation system the drainage of ground and surface water the types of plant material able to grow on a site

Physical Factors Topography Bearing capacity :-Measure of soil strength in killo gram pre square foot

• Factors that determine bearing capacity of soil • Stratification ( class i.e.. coarse and fine grained) • Density of soil bed • Variation of soil particle • Composition of soil • Water content • permeability

Physical Factors climate Atmospheric conditions that may influence land planning and design includes •Temperature (max. min. day/night temperature variations) •Humidity (high, low & averages) •wind (max. average velocity & direction) •Rainfall (precipitation, annual rain) •Solar radiations (solar intensity & orientation)

ď ąPhysical Factors Wind and sun

Physical Factors Wind and sun

Solar orientation Sun angles Duration of the day Cloud cover Shading of (0r from) adjacent structures ,natural features and vegetation

ď ąPhysical Factors Wind and sun

Site Analysis- Sun Angles

ď ąPhysical Factors Wind and sun

ď ąPhysical Factors Wind and sun The Angle of the Sun varies during the seasons, this is due to the tilting of the earth’s axis as it rotates around the sun. Actually, the earth is closer to the sun in winter but the northern hemisphere is tilting away from the sun.

ď ąPhysical Factors Wind and sun Exterior devices are better than interior devices, they intercept sun’s radiation before it reach the surfaces of the building.

ď ąPhysical Factors Wind and sun

Physical Factors Wind and sun

 Wind break

Physical Factors Plant Material

The types and locations of plant materials affect:  the site’s micro-climate  Solar radiation, wind, humidity, air temperature  the definition or visual screening or exterior spaces  the absorption or dispersion of sound

ď ąPhysical Factors Plant Material

ď ąPhysical Factors Plant Material

ď ąPhysical Factors Plant Material

Physical Factors water body

• Surface drainage pattern and direction( on and off the site) • areas of concentrated runoff, ponding, possible flooding.

• The location of existing storm water controls such as easements, trenches, etc.

• Location of any watercourses, creek, wetlands, stream etc., on the site or any within the surrounding

 Cultural & Man-made Features – Utilities: sanitary, water supply, telephone, electrical etc.

– Historic values: archeological sites, landmarks, building type, size, condition – Circulation: linkages an transit roads, auto & pedestrian access, mass transit routes etc.

– Social Factors: population, intensity, educational level, economic & political factors, ethnicity, cultural typology etc.

 Cultural & Man-made Features land use;-zoning code (restrictions)

 Minimum site area requirements  commercial, industrial residential etc.

 Building height limits  Set back requirements

 Lot coverage - floor area ratio(fat)

- open space requirements

Sensual Factors sensory and human aspects of the site that usually involve value judgments. spatial Pattern: type of neighborhood, best approaches to the site, existence of human activity  views to and from the  existence of odors  existence Sound pollution

Natural Features: significant natural features of the site, water elements, rock formations.

Site potential and traits (challenges)

Example……..

Sun Altitude and Azimuth

3d model of site analysis

3d model of site analysis + building

Conclusion…  To achieve a successful design, site analysis is a must & should be done carefully.  Good building responds to the inherent qualities of the site and transforms the site from row land to places for human enterprise  Site selection evaluation and design are important ingredients in any successful project