Introduction to Architecture Site Analysis Presentation

Architecture site analysis is the initial phase of any architectural project. Site analysis serves as the foundation for the design process. The analysis of a site involves an in-depth investigation of the site’s physical characteristics, climate conditions and historical and physical context.

The visual presentation of your investigations comes in the form of architectural diagrams and visuals. These diagrams and visuals are used to explain your investigations to the end user, these visuals must be coherent and illustrate the information clearly.

In this article, you will learn how to structure your architecture site analysis and the different ways to illustrate and visually present them.

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Importance of Site Analysis in Architecture

Conducting a thorough site analysis and presenting your findings accurately is important for several reasons. It helps architects and architecture students make informed design decisions, optimising the site's potential, outlining and overcoming potential challenges, and ensuring maximum sustainability potential has been achieved. A well-conducted site analysis can significantly enhance the quality and success of architectural concepts.

Preparation for Site Analysis

Setting Objectives

It is important to define clear objectives before starting the site analysis.

• What information is necessary to inform the design process?

• What are the key site features to investigate?

• Outline specific goals to guide the site analysis process.

Necessary Tools and Resources

To conduct a site analysis effectively you will need the correct tools such as historical maps, site plans, tape measure, camera, and sketchbook.

Team Coordination

Site analysis could require team coordination if so, ensure task delegation is communicated. Make sure each team member understands their objectives.

Summary of Site Analysis Presentation

1. Site context

• Physical context

• Surrounding context

• Cultural and historical context

2. Site conditions

• Natural Light and shade

• Microclimate

• Key Views

• Access and circulation

• Services

• Ground Substrate and Geology

• Vegetation and Wildlife

• Hydrology

3. Opportunities and constraints

• Design challenges

• Design opportunities

• Unique findings

• Zoning and Land Use

• Building Codes and Standards

• Community Needs and Preferences

4. Visual representation

• Site sketches

• Site photos

• Site analysis diagrams

• Site investigation

• Existing drawings with investigations and annotations

• Site model

• Mapping and Diagrams

Structure of Site Analysis Presentation (what to include)

1. Site Context

1.1 Defining Site Context

Investigating the site context is fundamental to understanding the environment in which your architecture will occupy. Being sensitive to your sites context will increase the connection between the site and your proposal.

1.2 Physical Context

To analyse the physical characteristics of the site involves a study into the mass, existing structures, form, spaces and any natural or man-made elements impacting the immediate physical surroundings.

By defining the site context your building’s form and spaces will be responsive to the site’s physical surroundings. Architectural drawings and diagrams can aid the presentation of physical context.

1.3 Surrounding Context

Analysing the surrounding context involves a study into the wider surrounding building fabric and mass and its relationship towards your site. Presenting the surrounding context in relation to your site is often in the form of a physical massing model.

1.4  Cultural and Historical Context

Researching the cultural and historical context of your site helps create a significant connection to the site heritage and evolution, providing valuable insights into design considerations.  This research could be presented through short graphic written passages, historical photos and historical maps/plans.

2. Site Conditions and connectivity

Understanding and utilising the sites natural conditions is crucial to optimising your buildings functionality and implementing sustainability solutions. This includes an analysis of natural light, wind and microclimate.

2.1 Natural Light and Shade

Analysing natural light and shading patterns helps to determine the optimal placement and orientation of structures and spaces within the site.

2.2 Microclimate

Assessing the microclimate involves understanding the local climatic conditions, including temperature, humidity, wind patterns, and their impact on the site.

2.3 Key Views

Identifying key views from and towards the site aids strategic placement of openings, spaces and architectural elements, creating important views and a connection with the surrounding context. Present key views in the form of site sketches and photographs

2.4 Access and Circulation

Evaluating access points and circulation patterns will allow you to carve out spaces and inform where to create mass while also ensuring efficient movement within and around the site. Diagrammatic overlayed site plans are an effective way of presenting the site access and circulation. 

2.5 Ground Substrate and Geology

The foundations of your building will be informed by the type of ground substrate is on your site.  Conduct a geological survey to help you with this.

2.6 Vegetation and Wildlife

Identify and document existing vegetation and wildlife on the site. Consider how your architecture concept can preserve or enhance these natural elements, as this will increase the sustainability of your project.

2.7 Hydrology

Does the site have any water features? Close proximity to water features such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater levels could cause flooding issues. Make sure flood preventatives are incorporated into your proposal.

3. Opportunities and Constraints

3.1 Design Challenges

The site analysis you have conducted will allow you to Identify challenges within the site, such as spatial constraints or irregular terrain. These design challenges allow architects to strategise solutions to optimise the site's potential.

3.2 Design Opportunities

Similarly discovering opportunities within site analysis can lead to innovative design features that maximise unique site features to enhance the overall design.

3.3 Unique Findings

Unearthing unique elements during site analysis, such as unusual natural features or historical elements of significance, can inspire creative design approaches and innovative architecture.

3.4 Zoning and Land Use

There could be local zoning laws and land use regulations on your site. Identify these early as these could restrict what you can build on the site. Zoning and land use restrictions aren’t so important for university projects.

3.5 Building Codes and Standards

Familiarise yourself with relevant building codes for the type of building you are designing. Compliance with these regulations is essential for safety and legal approval.

3.6 Community Needs and Preferences

Engage with the local community to understand their needs and preferences. This can create community support for your project and ensure the project has a meaningful impact on its intended users.

4. Visual Representation in Site Analysis (how to present)

There are many graphic and illustrative techniques you can employ to effectively present your architecture site analysis. Your site analysis must be easy to understand whether in a portfolio, crit or client presentation. 

Architectural Diagrams and overlays play a pivotal role in presenting site analysis as they allow you to clearly illustrate information. For example Highlighting routes, zones, and spaces over an existing site plan is an effective way of identifying a site’s infrastructure and circulation.

4.1 Site Sketches

Sketching provides quick visual interpretations of the site’s architecture, spaces and activities, capturing the site's qualities to be used as visual aids for the design process.

4.2 Site Photos

Photographs capture the existing conditions of the site and frame key views, recording the site's appearance and features.

4.3 Site Analysis Diagrams

Site analysis diagrams simplify the complex information found during the site investigation, presenting patterns and relationships within the site for easier comprehension and presentation.

4.4 Existing Drawings

Sourcing existing drawings from the planning portal and historical archives helps you to understand how the site has been developed. They also serve as useful drawing aids providing a platform to base your design development.

4.5 Site Model

Physical or digital model of the site and its surrounding contexts offer a three-dimensional representation of the massing, scale and spatial relationships as well as design concepts.

4.6 Mapping and Diagrams

Creating detailed maps and architectural diagrams will help you visualise the site’s features and analysis results. These tools are important for communicating findings and informing design decisions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an in-depth architecture site analysis presentation is the bedrock for successful architectural design.

Being able to present your architecture site analysis comprehensively and in an easy-to-follow manner is a necessity as it enables you to engage your crit audience, and clients while also demonstrating your findings clearly in your portfolio.

Popular FAQs Relating to Architecture Site Analysis Presentation

How long does a typical site analysis process take?

The timescale varies based on the size of the site and its complexity. It can range from 2 to 3 weeks for smaller sites and projects to several months for larger locations.

Why is site analysis essential in architecture?

Site analysis provides architects with critical information about the site's characteristics, opportunities and constraints, informing design decisions to create functional and contextually sensitive architectural design.

How often is site analysis revisited during the design process?

Site analysis is an ongoing process, to ensure the evolving design aligns with the site’s initial conditions and assessment.

Can site analysis influence sustainable design practices?

Absolutely. An important output of site analysis is to identify natural conditions and climate factors to understand how to incorporate these climate factors into the building’s sustainability credentials, to maximise energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.