SITE ANALYSIS are able to establish which elements we

consider having a negative impact on the

site or proposed design and which
Architectural site analysis is the process of
conditions have a more positive influence.
evaluating a locations physical, mental and social
This allows us to create a hierarchy and
characteristic with the ambition of developing an
gives a more systematic approach to
architectural solution that will both address and
understanding our data and developing
enhance its internal and external context.
the design.
it is important when carrying out a site analysis,
The general categories of data we will be looking
that we endeavor to research as much as possible
at as we carry out our architectural site analysis
and collect all available data that relates to the
are:
site and our design. A poorly executed site
analysis can lead to a substandard design due to Location – where the site is situated

the designer not having all available information Neighborhood context – the immediate
to respond to and develop solutions for. You can surrounding of the site including data on zoning
never know too much about the site. and buildings and other impacts on our project.

Every site is unique and will consist of many Zoning and size – dimensional considerations
complex elements such as: varying topography, such as boundaries, easements, height
watercourses, trees, plants, habitats, and restrictions, site area, access along with any
weather patterns to name a few. All of which will further plans.
and should influence an architect’s design
Legal information – ownership, restrictions or
process and decision-making.
covenants, council related information, future
COLLECTING INFORMATION urban development plans.

Our analysis data can be split into two main Natural physical features – actual features of the
categories. Hard data and soft data. site such as trees, rocks, topography, rivers,

 Soft data looks at site conditions that can ponds, drainage patterns.

be changed. Manmade features – existing buildings, walls,

 Hard data looks at more concrete surrounding vernacular, setbacks, materials,
elements such as site boundaries, site landscaping, scale.
areas, utility locations, contours,
Circulation – Vehicle and pedestrian movements
dimensions, site features, climate, legal
in, through and around the site. Consider the
information. Early site investigations
timing of these movements, and duration of
should look at hard data. From this, we
heavier patterns. Future traffic and road - Are there exterior spaces and what are
developments should also be considered. they used for?
- Are there activities in the neighborhood
Utilities – Any electricity, gas, water, sewer and
that may create strong vehicle or
telephone services that are situated in or near
pedestrian traffic?
the site, along with distances, depths and
- Existing vehicle movement patterns,
materials.
major and minor roads, bus routes and
Climate – all climatic information such as rainfall, stops.
snowfall, wind directions, temperatures, sun - Street lighting
path, all considered during the different times of - Vernacular context, materials,
the year. architectural features, fenestration,

Sensory – this addresses the visual, audible and landscaping, parking, building heights

tactile aspects of the site, such as views, noise, - Any nearby historical buildings, or

and so on. These again should be considered in buildings of significance

time frames and a positive or negative factor can - Sun and shade patterns during the year

be attributed to the condition. - Building context – what style, period,

state of repair are the surrounding
Human and cultural – the cultural, psychological,
buildings? It is a
behavioral and sociological aspects of the
historical/heritage/conservation area?
surrounding neighborhood. Activities and
Will your design need to reflect the
patterns, density, population ethnic patterns,
existing style?
employment, income, values and so on.
- Is the site close to listed buildings?
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR - Surfaces and materials around the site.

SITE AND SURROUNDINGS Site and Zoning

Location - Site boundary and dimensions

- Site location details (road names, address, - Any rights of way through the site and the

major landmarks etc.) dimensions

- Current context – existing buildings, car - Any easements location and dimensions

parking, roads. - Buildable area of the site

- Any building height restrictions
Neighborhood context
- Access to the site – car parking, bus
- Look at existing and proposed building routes, train stations, cycle routes,
uses in the neighborhood pedestrian walkways.
- What condition are the buildings in?
 - Access to site for construction – will there - What is the vehicle peak loads and when?
be any obstacles or restrictions that could - Public transport close to the site
affect the construction process? - Locations of best access to site for both
vehicles and pedestrians
Natural Features
- Travel time to walk across the site
- Topography of the site, valleys, ridges,
Utilities
slopes etc.
- Vegetation – landscaping, greenery, - Location of all services: electricity, gas,
shrubs and trees, open spaces. water, sewer, telephone. This includes
- Site levels. How will this affect your design both underground and above ground.
process? How does the site drainage - Location of power poles.
work, would there be any potential - Drainage
problems with drainage? - Sub-stations
- Soil types on site
Sensory
Manmade features
- Views – where are the best views to and
- What was the previous use of the site? from the site.
Would there be any contamination - What are the views of?
concerns? - Mark out the positive and negative views.
- Are there existing buildings on the site – - Which is the most likely feature aspect?
what is their state of repair? Is there any - Look at views towards the site from
sign of subsidence or settlement damage? different approaches to see how the site
- Are the existing buildings part of the would be seen when drawing near to the
project? site. What are the best views of the site,
- Any walls, retaining walls on the site, or and would these change in the long term?
other built items - Noise, odor and pollution – is the site in a
particularly noisy area? Or near industrial
Circulation
buildings that produce levels of pollution.
- Circulation – how do Is it near a facility that creates smoke?
visitors/pedestrians/traffic to or near the
Human and Cultural
site flow around or within it.
- Accessibility – current provisions of - Negative neighborhood issues such as
disabled access to the site and how will vandalism and crime.
this need to be considered. - What are the attitudes towards the site
- Does the existing pedestrian movement and the potential build?
need to be preserved?
 - What are the general neighborhood drainage, telephone lines) will help cement any
attitudes about the area? early conclusions made.
- What is the cultural, psychological,
MICROCLIMATE
behavioral and sociological aspects of the
Based on PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric,
surrounding area?
Geophysical and Astronomical Service
- What is the population, density, family
Administration) Antipolo has type I climate which
size, ethnic patterns, employment,
is marked by two (2) distinct seasons - the Wet
recreation activities etc.
from May to December and the Dry from January
Climate to April. The main climatic control operating in
the climate of the area is the monsoon wind
- Orientation of the site.
system. The warm southwest monsoon wind
- Weather – how does the weather affect
brings the rain to the city after gathering
the site? Is it well shaded, exposed?
moisture from the Indian Ocean while the cool
- How does the temperature, rainfall etc.
northeast monsoon moves as a dry wind and
vary throughout the year?
comes even drier after crossing the Sierra Madre
- What are the prevailing wind directions
geographic barrier. The Antipolo lies on 269m
throughout the year?
above sea level The climate is tropical in Antipolo.
- What is the sun path throughout the
During most months of the year, there is
different times of the year, and day?
significant rainfall in Antipolo. There is only a
WHY IS SITE ANALYSIS IMPORTANT?
short dry season. This climate is considered to be
As already touched on, a project’s success is built Am according to the Köppen-Geiger climate
on its relationship to its site and surroundings, classification. The temperature here averages
and therefore by default should always be 25.8 °C | 78.5 °F. The annual rainfall is 2373 mm |
bespoke to and based on its location and local 93.4 inch. The driest month is February. There is
characteristics. 44 mm | 1.7 inch of precipitation in February.
Most precipitation falls in November, with an
Every site has very specific solar orientations,
average of 332 mm | 13.1 inch.
views (good and bad) and often a very explicit
character and atmosphere. Each one of these
areas is an opportunity to generate a meaningful
conceptual approach and a way to devise a
buildings shape, layout, form and materiality.

Once established, further analyses of access,

wind direction, site levels, vegetation, local
context, privacy, services (electrical lines,
 With an average of 27.4 °C | 81.3 °F, May is the warmest month. In January, the average temperature is
24.1 °C | 75.4 °F. It is the lowest average temperature of the whole year.

January February March April May June July August September October November December
Avg. Temperature (°C) 24.1 24.6 25.8 26.9 27.4 27 26.2 26.1 26.1 25.9 25.3 24.6
Min. Temperature (°C) 20.4 20.4 21.2 22.2 22.9 22.8 22.3 22.4 22.2 22 21.7 21.2
Max. Temperature (°C) 27.9 28.9 30.4 31.7 32 31.2 30.1 29.9 30 29.8 29 28.1
Avg. Temperature (°F) 75.4 76.3 78.4 80.4 81.3 80.6 79.2 79.0 79.0 78.6 77.5 76.3
Min. Temperature (°F) 68.7 68.7 70.2 72.0 73.2 73.0 72.1 72.3 72.0 71.6 71.1 70.2
Max. Temperature (°F) 82.2 84.0 86.7 89.1 89.6 88.2 86.2 85.8 86.0 85.6 84.2 82.6
Precipitation / Rainfall 95 44 48 64 159 236 278 274 274 312 332 257
(mm)
The precipitation varies 288 mm | 11 inches between the driest month and the wettest month. The
average temperatures vary during the year by 3.3 °C | 37.9 °F.

The graph shows the

monthly number of sunny,
partly cloudy, overcast and
precipitation days. Days
with less than 20% cloud
cover are considered as
sunny, with 20-80% cloud
cover as partly cloudy and
with more than 80% as
overcast
The maximum temperature diagram for Antipolo City displays how many days per month reach certain
temperatures

The precipitation diagram for Antipolo City shows on how many days per month, certain precipitation
amounts are reached. In tropical and monsoon climates, the amounts may be underestimated.

The diagram for

Antipolo City shows
the days per month,
during which the wind
reaches a certain
speed
 The wind rose for Antipolo City
shows how many hours per year
the wind blows from the
indicated direction

REFERENCES:

https://www.academia.edu/21818395/EDWARD_T._WHITE

https://www.slideshare.net/richlux/site-analysis-1891410

https://www.archisoup.com/architecture-site-analysis-introduction

https://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/architecture-site-analysis-guide-2/

https://en.climate-data.org/asia/philippines/laguna/antipolo-209190/

https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/antipolo-city_philippines_1730501