What Is a Site Analysis for Architecture Projects?

Checklist &
Steps
by Peter Landau | Jul 26, 2022

When it comes to construction projects, the space that you’re filling is equally as
important as the structure that you’re building. That’s why site analysis is so
important to a successful construction project; whatever you’re building must
work in the space both aesthetically and structurally.

Since site analysis is so important, we’ll first define it and detail its purpose in
construction project management. Then we’ll outline the steps involved in site
analysis and share a site analysis checklist to ensure you do a thorough job.

What Is an Architecture Site Analysis?

Site analysis in architecture is a process that involves research and analysis of
the social, historical, climatic, geographic, legal and infrastructure aspects of a
location. This work is delivered visually, such as site analysis diagrams, which
are then used when planning to build a structure or building.

Using the architecture site analysis with the other construction project data will
allow architects to make more insightful decisions when designing their
structure or building. They will be important documents during the design
process and will influence the programmatic realities but also the structural and
even aesthetic decisions. That is, the shape, form and materials used.

Architecture site analysis informs the design but it’s also helpful for the general
contractor and various subcontractors that work under the general contractor.
The owner of the construction project will want to know the results of a site
analysis to help them make a decision about the viability of the project.

What Is the Purpose of a Site Analysis?

You can look at site analysis diagrams as the graphic translation of key
observations about the material conditions of the site. It’s clear why site analysis
is so important; it provides an architect with data on sun and shade patterns,
movement and circulation patterns and land use, as well as public space vs.
private space.

But it’s not only the architect that benefits from site analysis. The client wants to
know if the site chosen for the construction is viable and the site analysis allows
It also establishes the parameter by which to create the best design for the
physical and environmental features of the site.

Beyond serving the various parties involved in the construction project, a site
analysis has the defined purpose of researching the existing conditions of the
project site, including any imminent or potential future conditions,. Without a
site analysis, the design is true without context. The site analysis allows the
design team to understand the limitations and responses to their work as it
applies to the external conditions of the site.

Some issues that’ll be examined over the course of the site analysis include its
location, size, topography, zoning and traffic conditions as well as the climate of
the area. Future developments must also be considered in addition to any
changes that might occur on the site or surrounding area, such as road changes,
cultural patterns and other significant buildings.

Site Analysis Steps

The more details you get, the better your site analysis will be. Designers need to
understand the context of the building or structure they’re creating. How the
construction will fit in the space and how that space impacts the construction
are all key elements of the site analysis. Before construction can begin, you need
to take these three steps to deliver a more informed architectural site analysis.

1. Research

The first step is research. This isn’t isolated to the current physical condition
and its surroundings, but also any relevant historical information about what the
site looked like. You’ll want to see if there were any significant changes to the
landscape and/or architecture of the site including what around the site is being
analyzed.

Some useful tools are Google Street View but keep in mind that the tool only
dates back to 2007. There are 3-D mapping tools that use volumetric references.
The city or county in which the site is located will have property records that are
often online including maps, zoning information, land ownership, school
districts, transportation, utilities and more. Community centers, neighborhood
associations, local historical societies and newspapers have archives and can be
helpful in expanding the context of the site.

Of course, you’ll also want to physically visit the site to take pictures, notes and
measurements. Capture the site’s dimensions, but also note its accessibility,
whether there’s parking and any nearby transit. Gauge the level of noise, too. The
more general impressions you make, the better for a full analysis.

2. Analysis

Now that you’ve thoroughly researched the site, it’s time for the analysis phase
as there should be a lot of information to sift through. See if you can find
relationships between the disparate data. Some prefer a visual analysis while
others use a more iterative diagramming of the site analysis. When analyzing the
information, always remember the project goals and how the site might impact
them.

3. Synthesis
Synthesize the information you’ve collected and analyzed to inform the project
within the context of every step and scale. The data you’ve gathered needs to be
applicable to the project, relevant and easily digestible to serve a purpose.
Otherwise, it’s just noise. You need to prioritize the information. Some site
analysis is more important than other site analyses, especially through the lens
of the design process. These data points inform the design parameter and
decisions along that process and each of these steps is applied during the
schematic design and programming phase.

Site Analysis Checklist: What to Look For

We’ve defined what an architectural site analysis is, the purpose for doing one
and the steps to take in order to have a site analysis. Over the course of this blog,
we’ve mentioned many things you’ll need to look out for when doing site
analysis. To make it easier, we’ve compiled those and more in this site analysis
checklist to ensure you don’t neglect key characteristics.

1. General

General data to collect includes the geographic location of the site, its
boundaries and entrance locations and types. You’ll also want to note the site
security, if any, and if there are any existing buildings on the site.

2. Context of the Neighborhood

Here’s where you look beyond the property and note the neighboring buildings.
You’ll want to measure their distance from the site, their heights, if they are
domestic or public buildings and what they’re being used for. Capture site lines,
any legal restrictions and noise levels in the neighborhood.

3. Site and Zoning

Now what are the dimensions of the site and are there any easements, height
restrictions and so forth. What is the site zoned for, commercial or residential?

4. Natural Features

Also important are the physical features of the site. For example, are there trees
or other vegetation or rocks? You’ll want to map the topography. If there’s a river,
pond or other body of water, that must be identified as well as the drainage
patterns

5. Man-Made Features

The other side of that coin is the man-made features. This can be an existing
building or buildings, walls, surrounding vernacular, setbacks, materials,
landscaping, etc., on the site.
6. Legal Restrictions

Don’t neglect the legal constraints on the site. These can range from who owns
the property to any restrictions on the site including covenants and future urban
development plans.

7. Access and Circulation

Note any public or private routes to the site. See if there is vehicle and/or
pedestrian access. Figure out what, if any, are the existing circulation routes
within the site.

8. Utilities

Check to see if there are any electric, gas, water, sewer and telephone services
attached to the property. If there are, note where they are located, distanced,
depths and materials used.

9. Cultural and Human

More abstract but nonetheless important are the cultural, psychological,

behavioral and sociological aspects of the neighborhood in which the site is
located. Note activities that occur around the site, patterns, density of
population and ethnic makeup, employment, income, values, etc.

10. Climate

Gather all of the climate data that you can. Note the average rainfall in the area,
snowfall, wind directions, temperatures, and sun path and collect this
information for every season in the year if it differs from time to time.

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