Architecture Site Analysis – Methods, Tools, and Proper Data Storage
Many beginner architects neglect the importance of site analysis and think their best work is done at their desks. However, before you even get at your desk, you need to ensure that the construction idea and the whole concept of the project are viable, sustainable, and logical.
Why is an architecture site analysis necessary?
Many beginner architects neglect the importance of site analysis and think their best work is done at their desks. However, before you even get at your desk, you need to ensure that the construction idea and the whole concept of the project are viable, sustainable, and logical.
This is when architecture site analysis is in, and it’s a crucial stage of every project development.
Contextual analysis
Contextual analysis of a site is the research that looks at the site’s conditions – literally, its context.
Contextual analysis is essential for you to start thinking about the design being embedded into the context and the landscape. In a way, contextual analysis is a more general procedure.
Architectural analysis
The architectural analysis deals with more specific issues, such as size, location, zoning, roads and traffic around the site, climate, etc. Within your architectural analysis, you need to consider any possible future developments and changes that might happen near your project.
Site analysis is essential to make your project look good and relevant in the context and avoid future logistical, legal, and technical problems. Your clients expect you to take everything into account.
Site analysis that’s not executed correctly can cause all sorts of problems that will affect the work of other contractors and professionals. Ensure you are thoroughly gathering data and drawing the correct conclusions.
As architects, we know the importance of document management – that is why the PlanMan document storage module is extra-well planned. Our tool lets you share all the data and media however you like, so make sure you sign up to PlanMan before you run your site analysis.
What data does architectural site analysis collect
The architectural site analysis contains two types of data mainly. Those types are soft data and complex data. Weak data describes things about the site that can and sometimes have to be changed, while complex data deals with unchangeable elements of the site.
Architectural analysis stages
There are also two stages of architectural site analysis – desktop study and the actual site analysis visit.
Both stages require different tools. The desktop study will need a computer, online and printed maps, aerial photographs, historical maps, utilities plan, and your project management software (as well as a paper sketchbook, of course).
The site visit analysis, on the other hand, needs more tools. Therefore, during your fieldwork and while visiting the site, ensure you are equipped with a camera, a smartphone, a paper notebook, and a tape measure.
Types and categories of data
Here’s the list of the most common types of data that our users gather and store for architectural site analysis.
Not all of it will apply to every project, and there will also be new data types for some projects. Make sure you’re taking absolutely everything into account while running your analysis.
Legal
Information on ownership, restrictions, development plans, city property, and city plans will go here.
Natural features
Everything that’s not man-made, like landscape and topography – rivers, trees, rocks, water drainage and movement patterns.
Man-made features
This type of data includes buildings, walls, monuments, landscaping elements, parks, etc.
Utilities
Electricity, gas, water, sewers, Internet & telephone cables need to be included, measured and considered.
Sensory data
This is all the data that deals with the sensory perception of the site. For example, lighting from other buildings and public lighting, smells, noise, views and much more – basically everything you can feel while visiting the site.
Human and cultural data
This data type is often hard to obtain but is extremely important nonetheless. Human data deals with the safety of the location: population dynamics, crime rate, employment, ethnic population patterns, population density, and so on.
To get this data, you might need to interact with local residents.
This type of data evaluates what kind of neighbourhood the site is in and what to expect because that may influence the design.
Logistics and circulation
This concerns roads, pedestrian walks, planned roads, popular movement times, high traffic situations and more.
The proper architectural site analysis will make your job easier, and it will make all other contractors’ jobs easier as well. Ensure you are attentive to detail while analysing the site and store everything you collect in PlanMan file storage to share with your team.