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 students 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

and those of you
from LCC
as well

Hi, Im Professor Allen

I graduated See,
from the I have
University of
a
Michigan in
ring
1971 with ato prove
degree in
It
landscape
architecture.
also as a reminder because, it was a long
time ago..
3

Around 1973 I
started
that's
teaching
at me
LIT,
Lawrence
Institute of
Technology.
Now it is known
as LTU;
Lawrence
Technological
University.
4

I sat for the registration

exam around 75 -76
and
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

The world is
shrinking;
Resources are being
depleted at an ever
increasing rate
while the population
increases placing
additional demands
on the finite resource
base.
8 with less
The architecture of today must do more

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

I will use SITE ANALYSIS

as the structure for these lectures
a kind of roadmap;
a backbone upon which I will
hang topics.
Because, it is through
an understanding of the site &
natural systems, that we will be able
to minimize the impact we make
on the environment.

10

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

Face Plant:
The price of Ignorance
ICARUS flew close to the sun
on wings made of feathers;
secured to his arms by wax...
13

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

What you should walk away with

Today,
I will talk about site analysis in view
of:
I. Natural Factors
II. Cultural Factors
III. Aesthetic Factors

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, & Linkage
10. Utilities
11. Existing Buildings
12. Historic Factors
13. Context: Fabric
14. People

17

III. Aesthetic
Features
15. Natural Features
16. Spatial Patterns
17. Views and Vistas

17 topic areas that

serve as a guide in
the development of a
site analysis.
A checklist as it were

18

Site Analysis
Site 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 and
earth shelter insulation
Note
the earth
shelter
berm on
NORTH
elevation
to
minimize
heat loss.
Note the
minimal
use of
glass for
the same

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 Spain
Here, the natural
stone, the
geological
base, has been
used to form
natural steps.
It has been
supplemented
with local
stone. That is good
for some LEED
points.

25

Rupit Spain
Embrace the site,
let it embrace
your
Architecture.
Vernacular;
native to an area;
in character,
defining the
character.

Talk
About a
Hangover!

26

Its nothing new

27

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.

28

2. TOPOGRAPHY /
LANDFORMS
The shape of the
land:

29

First, define the Land

We measure land.
We define it
asFLAT
on the surface,
with lines of
LONGITUDE;
pole to pole,
&
LATITUDE;
east and west.

30

JUST A REMINDER

LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
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.

31

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 Picchu
Not 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
Heres looking at you
kid
36

37

38

Bad Grading.

Why you study topo

39

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.

40

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 hold
organic materials in place while allowing air and
water 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.
41
And you thought it was just dirt.

Soil
Evolution
The geological base is a
primary source of soil.
Through erosion the base
evolves to finer particles
that when combined with
organic matter becomes
soil
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
Clay
Silt
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

ant
materials
protect
the soil
SOIL
EROSION;
BAD PUPU
!
50

EROSION PROTECTION

Soil Erosion control fencing is now required to prevent

51
the loss of soil.

One QUARTER

52

How much weight will this soil

support?

53

54

SOIL
Soil supports buildings, sometimes
Soil supports the plants you eat
Soil supports life

55

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.

56

4. Hydrography
IF ALL THE EARTHS 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
Earth
57

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

Powerful
60

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

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.

66

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

23
Beautif
ul
Plan
for
It

231/2
70

That 23.5 keeps the

weather changing
through 4 seasons in
Michigan; spring
summer,
fall,
&
winter.

Fall Equinox
September 21 / 22
Spring Equinox
March 21/22
Summer Solstice
June 21 / 22
Winter Solstice
December 21 / 22

71

I usually analyze the micro climate; the

climate or weather that is typical to the area
of the site under consideration.

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.
72

Weather shot

73

4 seasons as a result

74

Note just where the sun hits the planet perpendicular

75

Pr
ev
ai
lin
g

e
Pr

g
li in
va

WIND
wi
nt
er
wi
nd
s

ds
n
i
w
er
m
m
su

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 Water
79

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.

80

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

Indigenous
Red Maple

Exotic
Monkey Tree

88

Maintenance
Free
Tree

Flower

89

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.

90

7. WILD LIFE

91

Respect

HALF WAY

92

KEY
Ducks (duck dudu)
Geese (goose
Poop)
Swans (attack
boaters)
Turtles
Muskrats
Fish
Deer
Muskrat
Fox
Coyote

93

GONE NOW !

94

95

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. People
Noise, congestion, pollution
96

Zoning dictates many

aspects of Land Use &
architectural design.
Side yard set backs
Front yard set backs
Rear yard set backs
Height limits
Land use
Landscape
requirements
&

8.
ZONING
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

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. People
Noise, congestion, pollution
100

9. CIRCULATION

101

102

Its
all
about
getting
there

103

the surfaces we walk on

104

he transitions we make

105

& the access we provide

106

107

Getting
there
is
half
the
fun
Plan for it
108

PROVIDE FOR IT

109

Mass transit

110

Conflict Transition ?

111

112

How about airplane auto

conflict?

113

Site
Circulation

114

115

BUT THAT IS JUST

AN INVENTORY

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

116

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. People
Noise, congestion, pollution
117

10. UTILITIES
Below ground

Men at work

Bad Utility; trip and fall utility.

118

ve ground utilities

Electric
Cable
Telephone

119

Behind the
scenes
120

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

Electric & Cable

Gas
Sewer
Water
121

LIGHTING

122

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. People
Noise, congestion, pollution
123

PIKU HOUSE,
MICHIGAN

11. EXISTING

124

Fallingwater
Bear Run, Pa.

125

embrace the
site..

gently

126

127

Street side

128

Lake Side

129

Now add the buildings east and

west

And things start to look a little130

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. People
Noise, congestion, pollution
131

12. HISTORIC FACTORS

132

133

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. People
Noise, congestion, pollution
134

1.
2.
3.
4.

URBAN
SUBURBAN
RURAL ?
WILDERNESS

13. CONTEXT: THE FABRIC

135

NYC

136

London

137

Florence

3/4

138

Spain
Rural fabric?
Suburban?
Urban?

139

Suburban Fabric?

Nice texture
140

Wilderness ?

We are drawn to
it..
141

Dow
House
Midland, Michigan

142

143

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. People
Noise, congestion, pollution
144

14.
PEOPLE
Celebrate
the
little
people
.
.
.

145

 Architectur
e can
create a
dialogue
with
people

146

It's all about people

147

148

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 FEATURES

151

152

153

RUPIT FALLS
SPAIN

154

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
155

16. SPATIAL PATTERN

156

157

To a quiet space

158

159

Piazza San Marco

160

161

162

163

wilderness
164

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
165

17. VIEWS

166

167

View
through
&
to

168

Framed
View

Sagrada
Familia
As viewed from
the roof of Casa
Mil 169

Photo by professor Ralph N.

View
to

170

Thikn !

171

REMEMBER

172

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

starting with DECEMBER

A YEAR OF SUN AT NOON

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
Pea
Architecturally
this is the most
fascinating part of
the whole complex,
much of the interest
being derived from
the ingenious and
evocative blending
of natural &
architectural forms.
pp 180
42 Jacobs

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

Dunnett and Kingsbury

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
184
drainage
patterns.

How plants benefit

us.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Food
Protection / Shelter
Clothing
Climate modification
Clean atmosphere
Building materials, renewable
resource
7. Medicine
8. Wildlife Habitat
185
9. Storm water management

186

I
took this
picture
while
flying;
not a wise
thing to
do.

187