Architecture Site Analysis

Elevate Your Construction with Strategic Site Analysis

Architecture site analysis is the process of researching and analysing the social, historical, climatic, geographical, legal, and infrastructural characteristics of a given site, and synthesizing these analyses into visual information — usually in the form of site analysis diagrams.

Site Analysis

Site analysis process will look at issues such as site location, size, topography, zoning, traffic conditions and climate. Site analysis also needs to consider any future developments, or changes to the site’s surroundings, such as a change of road designations, changing cultural patterns, or other significant building developments within the area.

A contextual site analysis is a research activity that looks at the existing conditions of a project site, along with any imminent or potential future conditions. It purpose is to inform us about a site or land prior to the start of our design process so that our initial design thinking about a site or land can incorporate considered responses to the external conditions.

The site analysis is done in the initial stages of a project. In a professional setting, it usually takes place during Stage 1 (Preparation and Briefing) of the RIBA Plan of Work. Site information including site surveys are sourced.

Why do we carry out an architectural site analysis?

Before starting any design, our client will want to know whether construction on the site is viable. Carrying out an extensive site analysis will assess whether development is financially feasible, and establish parameters to implement the best design that responds to the physical and environmental features of the site.

A contextual analysis is a research activity that looks at the existing conditions of a project site, along with any imminent or potential future conditions. The reason is to inform us about a site before the start of our design process so that our initial design thinking about a site can incorporate considered responses to the external conditions.

Understanding the context of a site is key to enabling the designer to weave the new design in with the existing fabric of the site. It allows us to understand the existing opportunities, or problems in a site, and make informed decisions on how to respond to our findings. This response could be that the designed building reflects the surrounding context and is designed to be in sympathy, or perhaps to turn away or eliminate certain unwanted site conditions.