1. 10 site analysis

Attendance • Attendance is required• Attendance is 15%

•You will place YOUR 3x5” card in the orange buckets with your answer at the

end of lecture. • It is an Honor Code Violation to submit

another student’s card. •A true friend would not ask you to risk a 7

credit “F” that can not be removed from your transcript; or worse yet, dismissal

from the college. 1

Welcome to the Site Global

2

and those of you

from LCC as well

Hi, I’m Professor Allen

I graduated from the

University of Michigan in 1971 with a

degree in landscape

architecture.

3

See, I have

a ring

to prove It…

also as a reminder because, it was a long time ago..

Around 1973 I started

teaching at LIT, Lawrence

Institute of Technology.

Now it is known as LTU;

Lawrence Technological

University.

4

that's me

5

I “sat” for the registration exam around 75 -76and passed

I became a partner in a landscape architectural firm located in Bloomfield Hills about ’78.

6

And, I am still

practicing in the

profession…

7

The world is “shrinking”; Resources are being depleted at an ever increasing ratewhile the population increases placing additional demands on the finite resource base.

8The architecture of today must do more with less

“power oriented solutions tend to add even more energy and yet another layer of construction to solve yet another layer of construction to solve each problem that that arises in the context of building design. This approach characterizes building production in the second half of the twentieth century. During this period, buildings became hermetically sealed, relied upon an increasing layered approach to construction, and used increasing amounts of energy to serve their occupants.” pp 7 kiel moe

9

I will use SITE ANALYSIS as the structure for these lectures…a kind of roadmap;a backbone upon which I will hang topics.

10

Because, it is through an understanding of the site & natural systems, that we will be ableto minimize the impact we make on the environment.

YOU DESIGN

STRUCTURE

FOR A SPECIFIC PLACE,

A SITE

11

That is the “Why” of Site Analysis?

All sites are not created equal; or flat….

Nor are all buildings the same. Nor all clients. Nor all communities.

Architecture is not played on a Monopoly board.12

ICARUS flew close to the sun on wings made of feathers;

secured to his arms by wax...

Face Plant:

13

The price of Ignorance

Site Analysis• An inventory

• kind of like dating…• getting to know each

other…. • The implications of

that inventory as it relates to a program…

• Because, as an architect, you are

going to propose a marriage of site and

structure. 14

Today, I will talk about site analysis in view

of:I. Natural FactorsII. Cultural FactorsIII. Aesthetic Factors

What you should walk away with…

15

SITE INVENTORY CHECKLIST I. Natural Features

1. Geological Base & Landforms 2. Topography 3. Soils 4. Hydrography (water / lakes, streams, water table,

etc…) 5. Climatic Factors & Orientation 6. Vegetation 7. Wildlife

16

II. Cultural Features 8. Zoning / Ordinances 9. CIRCULATION: Traffic, Transit, & Linkage10. Utilities 11. Existing Buildings12. Historic Factors13. Context: Fabric14. People

17

17 topic areas that serve as a guide in

the development of a site analysis.

A checklist as it were

III. Aesthetic Features

15. Natural Features16. Spatial Patterns 17. Views and Vistas

18

Site AnalysisSite Analysis is the combination of an inventory & program.

19

For example…Orientation considerations may be based on

5. CLIMATE : WEATHERE PATTERNS 9. CIRCULATION

& 17. VIEWS

DESIGN IS ALL ABOUT PRIORITIES

20

Orientation andearth shelter insulation

Note the earth

shelter berm on

NORTH elevation

to minimize

heat loss. Note the minimal

use of glass for

the same reason.

21

In order to practice, not just give lip

service to, sustainability, you

must first understand the

natural systems & their cycles to

maximize their potential.

Note the vestibule entrance to

minimize energy loss. Note use of

dark tile to “store” solar heat gain.

View to south. 22

SITE ANALYSIS NATURAL FACTORS

1. Geological Base & Landforms 2. Topography

maps, slope analysis, reading topography, contours, spot elevations, conventions, drainage

3. Soils classification of types, texture, and characteristics ( most of lower

Michigan is composed of Brown earths and Podzols) 4. Hydrography

streams, lakes, swamps, water table, flood plain, watershed, aquifer, surface drainage

5. Climatic Factors sun, wind, and precipitation / orientation to, comfort envelope /

orientation 6. Vegetation

trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers 7. Wildlife

those little and big critters that live and pass through & over the area.23

1. Geological Base / Landforms

24

Rupit SpainHere, the natural

stone, the geological

base, has beenused to form

natural steps.It has been

supplemented with local

stone. That is good for some LEED

points. 25

Rupit SpainEmbrace the site,

let it embrace your

Architecture. Vernacular;

native to an area;in character, defining the

character.Talk

About aHangover!

26

It’s nothing new…

27

2. TOPOGRAPHY / LANDFORMS

The shape of the land:

29

First, define the Land We measure land.

We define it as“FLAT”

on the surface, with lines of

LONGITUDE; pole to pole,

& LATITUDE;

east and west. 30

JUST A REMINDER

LATITUDELONGITUDE

31

If you Google this area, you will find that we are about 42.5 degrees N. latitude.That is important as you need that to derive the altitude of the sun at any given date.

However,

not all

land is flat…

32

“Topo”2.Topography, the ups and downs of

the land

TOPOGRAPHY may be graphically represented by SPOT ELEVATIONS which may then be interpolated into CONTOURS.

33

• Slide from sleeping bear or Vermont

34

Machu PicchuNot flat…How do we represent it?

35

CONTOUR LINE• An imaginary line connecting points of

equal elevation above a given datum

plane… • We use a level to determine just what

those elevations are• Here’s looking at you

kid36

Bad Grading….

• Why you study topo… 39

3.Soil

It takes hundreds years to create 1 inch of topsoil.

That is hundreds years to “erode” these rocks into particles small enough to separate and holdorganic materials in place while allowing air andwater to reach the root systems of plants,( which by the way hold this mess we call soil

together) and still allow some to escape to the water table and aquifers so we can drink it. And you thought it was just dirt. 41

Soil EvolutionThe geological base is a

primary source of soil.

Through erosion the base evolves to finer particles that when combined withorganic matter becomessoil…Mechanical Erosion

&Chemical Erosion Freeze thaw cycles Gravity Precipitation Wind Plants & Animals

42

basalt

Fine grained igneous rock

evolving to soil through

erosion. It takes

hundreds of years to

generate one inch of topsoil.

43

Lichens

44

Soil Composition

ClaySilt

Sand &

Loam (organic matter)

45

SOIL COMPOSITION

46

SOIL TEXTURE

47

Heavy clay soils present drainage problems.

(they make pots out of clay!)

Heavy sand soils promote infiltration.

Heavy loam soils support plants; but not buildings.

(That is why we use footings.)

48

SOIL EVOLUTION 49

SOIL EROSION; BAD PUPU ! 50Plant materials protect the soil…

EROSION PROTECTION

Soil Erosion control fencing is now required to prevent the loss of soil. 51

52One QUARTER

How much weight will this soil support?

53

SOIL

• Soil supports buildings, sometimes… • Soil supports the plants you eat

• Soil supports life…

55

4. Hydrography• IF ALL THE EARTH’S WATER

WERE TO BE REPRESENTED BY THIS GALLON OF WATER, JUST OVER A TABLESPOON WOULD BE FRESH WATER.

• The Great lakes hold approximately 1/5 of the worlds’ fresh water.

• Michigan is a great place.• Welcome aboard Spaceship

Earth57

Water issues….• Watershed• Water table• Aquifer• Flood plane• 50 year storm• Wetlands• Swamps• Marshes• Hydrological cycle• Precipitation

58

Water-table : that point below which all the voids between soil particles are filled with water.

59

POWERFUL 60Powerful

Peaceful 61

Playful

62

Protected & Respected

63

“Those who refuse to learn from history are condemned to

relive it.” AUGUST 30, 2005

64

Flood Plains

65

5. CLIMATIC FACTORS Climate is determined by your location relative to the sun among other things;

It is kind of an average of the weather

Weather is day to day change

67

Weather

• All these phenomenon taken together are what makes up our weather.

• When we talk of weather, we are talking about

• Sun (light and temperature)

• Wind• & • Precipitation 68

23.5 degrees; marvelous • The wonderful thing about earth is that it is

tilted 23.5 degrees on its’ axis.

• That is why we have different climates and changing seasons.

69

23½ºBeautif

ul

Plan for It

!70

231/2

That 23.5˚ keeps the weather changing

through 4 seasons in Michigan; spring

summer, fall,

& winter.

Fall EquinoxSeptember 21 / 22Spring EquinoxMarch 21/22Summer SolsticeJune 21 / 22Winter SolsticeDecember 21 / 22

71

• For example it is typical that frost will extend to 42 inches on very rare occasions in this area; therefore it is a good idea to extend your footings to at least that depth.

• I usually analyze the micro climate; the climate or weather that is typical to the area of the site under consideration.

72

Weather shot

73

4 seasons as a result

74

Note just where the sun hits the planet perpendicular…

75

WINDPrevailing winter winds

Prevail

ing su

mmer wind

s

76

conclusion

Doors & windows facing south is generally a good thing

Buffering and minimizing exposure from the north is generally a good thing

77

PRECIPITATION

• Need altitude of sun

78

Falling Water79

6.VEGETATION

81

Trees• Trees are large and

generate shade and block the wind…

• They are worth working around as they clean the air.

• Carbon Offsets…• Remember.

82

Add some shrubs &

groundcovers…

• Trees, shrubs and groundcovers.

• Either a KEY or notation would be appropriate at this stage…

83

Another perspective…

84

More about plants…

consider….

85

Yearly Change

86

Seasonal Change

87

ExoticMonkey Tree

Indigenous Red Maple

88

Maintenance Free

Tree

Flower 89

7. WILD LIFE

91

Respect

92HALF WAY

KEY• Ducks (duck dudu)• Geese (goose

Poop)• Swans (attack

boaters)• Turtles• Muskrats• Fish• Deer• Muskrat • Fox• Coyote

93

94GONE NOW !

II. CULTURAL FACTORS 8. Zoning / Ordinances

ownership, restrictions, density ratio, deed restrictions, permits, height restrictions

9. Traffic and Transit , Linkage and Circulation pedestrian, vehicular, relationships, interface, noise

10. Utilities storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water, electric, telephone,

cable, gas, below and above ground 11. Existing Buildings

on and off site, character and composition 12. Historic Factors

13. Context: Fabric; Urban, Suburban & Rural

14. PeopleNoise, congestion, pollution

96

8. ZONING

Zoning dictates manyaspects of Land Use &architectural design.

Side yard set backsFront yard set backsRear yard set backs

Height limits

Land use

Landscape requirements

&

The like 97

• Zoning indicates what type of land use is allowed.

• Here the yellow color designates that this property is zoned R – 1A; Single Family Residential.

98

Zoning Dictates;

• Side yard setbacks.

• Rear and Front yard setbacks.

• This results in the building envelope being defined.

• Add height limits and we have a 3-D box to “fill” 99









100

9. CIRCULATION

101

It’sall about getting there

103

the surfaces we walk on104

To th

e tra

nsiti

ons w

e m

ake

105

& the access we provide…

106

Getting there is half the fun

Plan for it…

108

PR

OV

IDE

FO

R IT

109

Mass transit

110

Conflict Transition ?

111

How about airplane auto conflict?

113

Site Circulation

114

BUT THAT IS JUST AN INVENTORY

WHEN YOU NOTE THE FLOW & THE CONFLICTS; YOU ARE STARTING AN ANALYSIS

116









117

10. UTILITIESBelow ground

Bad Utility; trip and fall utility.

Men at work

118

Above ground utilities ElectricCableTelephone

119

Behind the scenes 120

72 hours, 3 working days, before you dig, call Miss Dig

• Electric & Cable• Gas • Sewer• Water

121

LIGHTING

122









123

11. EXISTING BUILDINGS

PIKU HOUSE, MICHIGAN 124

FallingwaterBear Run, Pa.

125

embrace the site..

gently 126

Street side

128

Lake Side

129

Now add the buildings east and west…

And things start to look a little crowded…

130









131

12. HISTORIC FACTORS

132









134

13. CONTEXT: THE FABRIC

1. URBAN2. SUBURBAN3. RURAL ?4. WILDERNESS

135

NYC

136

London

137

Florence

1383/4

Spain• Rural fabric? • Suburban?

• Urban?

139

Suburban Fabric?

Nice texture…

140

Wilderness ? We are drawn to it.. 141

Dow HouseMidland, Michigan 142









144

14. PEOPLECelebrate

the little

people...

145

• Architecture can create a dialogue with people…

146

It's all about people 147

Plan for all

people

149

III. AESTHETIC FEATURES 15. Natural Features

unique landforms or elements

16. Spatial Patterns voids and masses created by

structures or natural elements 17. Views and Vistas

150

15. NATURAL FEATURES151

RUPIT FALLSSPAIN

154





155

16. SPATIAL PATTERN156

To a quiet space

158

Piazza San Marco

160

wilderness…

164





165

17. VIEWS

166

View through

& to

168

Framed View

◄ Sagrada Familia

As viewed from the roof of Casa Milà 169

Photo by professor Ralph N.

View to

170

Thikn ! 171

172

REMEMBER

The End

173

BEN FRANKLIN

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that the stuff

life is made of.

Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.

Remember that time is money.

Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both.

Leisure is the time for doing

something useful.

Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste.

174

A YEAR OF SUN AT NOON

starting with DECEMBER

175

Equinox

176

Winter Solstice

177

Summer Solstice

178

• “Mental notes are now worth the paper they are written on.”

• Mark Twain

179

San Juan de la Peña

“Architecturally this is the most fascinating part of the whole complex,much of the interestbeing derived fromthe ingenious andevocative blendingof natural & architectural forms.”

pp 42 Jacobs180

I can Google it

• I can trace it…• It shows the

major circulation paths and starts to give me a feeling for the area…

• Download GOOGLE!

181

How does nature define regions?

• Nature defines regions by ridges and valleys, oceans and continents

• Today we define regions by the grid… an artificial grid.• Who has it right?

182

HURON RIVER WATERSHED

183

“The major Flooding witnessed

in many English towns & cities in 2000 and 2001

has been attributed, in part, to increased built development

in river catchments and flood plains and the consequent

disruption to natural drainage patterns.”

Dunnett and Kingsbury 184

How plants benefit us….

1. Food 2. Protection / Shelter3. Clothing4. Climate modification5. Clean atmosphere6. Building materials, renewable

resource7. Medicine8. Wildlife Habitat9. Storm water management 185

I took this picture while

flying;

not a wise thing to

do. 187

1. 10 site analysis

Education