Site analysis – Visit

The very first task you should do at the beginning of the design phase is to visit the site. What is there waiting for you? How much space? What constraints? How does the surrounding look like?

You need to gather a lot of information. And the majority of them influences your design. Some more, some less. During a site visit, you need to be a careful observer. One visit probably won’t be enough to cover everything. Maybe the weather won’t be nice. There can also be a huge difference during the year as seasons pass by.

So, here is a short guide/list with some useful tips

What to take with you?

You should be prepared for the visit. You do not need much, however, these are the essentials you need.

Camera –  Make sure to take photos of everything. Those pictures will come handy both during decision making and you can also use it in your presentation and final CGI for presentation.

Smart phone – There is a number of handy apps that can help you. You can make panoramic photos. Also, there is a compass, so you can get to know the site better.

Note book- It is great to make notes about the site or sketch some observations and initial ideas. There might also be some constraints that are worth noting, landscape features, existing buildings to tear down or bad soil conditions.

Measuring device – Tape measure or laser measure can come handy when you need to know the distance to some of the hazards on the site. Or maybe you can do rough approximation before you can get to accurate site topography through GIS.

What to search for?

You found the site and now is the time for observations. Everything is important and can be a shaping factor of your design. Be vigilant.

Location – Address, surrounding, buildings in vicinity, terrain

Context – Buildings in vicinity, parking places, roads

Access – Roads, parking, urban context

Vegetation – Landscaping, trees and other greenery, open spaces

Views – Nice view is a very expensive feature to pass

Materials – Surfaces around the site, used on buildings in vicinity, material of the landscape

Topography – Levels of the site, shape of the topography, soil quality

Weather – Shaded or exposed, prevailing winds

Hazards – Contamination, electricity or telephone lines, drainage, water

What to analyse when you get back?

Now you are back from the site and you can use your computer to get additional information about the plot. Look to the cadastre. Check the maps that are available online. Look for the bigger context of the plot in the city.

Streets – Size, direction, traffic pattern

Neighbourhood – Relationship to it

Scale – Proportions of existing buildings, size of the plot

Materials – Use of local materials, context of buildings

History – Use of the plot, history of neighbourhood

Climate – Sun, angles of shadows and sun rays, the wind

Negative and positive space – Existing space patterns on site, dwelling vs. movement

Circulation – Getting to the site, moving around

 

Have I forgotten something important? What do you find most important when visiting the site? Tell us in the comments.

Cheers