Site Inventory and Analysis

An introduction to the site analysis process in garden design

 

What is a Site Analysis?

To undertake a design we need to understand and document the site. A site analysis is the act of surveying a site, taking an inventory of what you find and then analysing the data.

Conducting a Site Survey / Inventory

What physical items do we need to locate?

Services

  • Gas

  • Electricity

  • Water

  • Sewerage

  • Phone

  • Internet

  • Trams and trains

Structures

  • Buildings

  • Fences

  • Sheds

  • Water tanks

  • Elements to be removed

  • Arbors

  • Retaining Walls

  • Raised Beds

Vegetation

  • Weeds

  • Existing trees

  • Significant specimens

Topography

  • Spot levels

  • Contours

Analysis

Depending on the scope of the project the windows and door locations and views can be quite important. It can be necessary to have these recorded so that you can utilise the views, lines of site, movement, and desire lines that they determine.

Borrowed landscape

The borrowed landscape is what you can see from your site that doesn’t fall within its boundaries. If you are on the beach-side this could be a view out to the water and the cliffs. If you are in the city, it could be a view to a half-finished wall painted bright red and someone’s bedroom.

Movement

How does the site currently get used? Where do people move to and from? Think about vehicular movement as well

Node Points

Points where movement splits into two or more directions

Views

What views around the site are good and what would you prefer not to see?

Sun path

What is the path of the sun over the year? How does it change?

Sunny and Shady areas

Where are shadows cast throughout the days?

Wind

Where are the predominant winds coming from? What are the windiest areas? Are there protected areas?

Zoning

Are there zones throughout the site where certain functions are undertaken?

Noise

Is there noise pollution across the site? Are there noises which add to the ambience?

Soil

Testing results of soil

Microclimates

What are the attributes of the spaces that differ from the wider climate of the area?

Movement+and+Site.jpg

Example of a drawing capturing the way in which a site can be used, views, noises, sun path and wind

Sustainability Considerations

Water

  • What is the sites ability to capture water?

  • Do the site contours give opportunities for water capture?

  • What roof surface area is available for capturing water?

  • How is this affected by temperature levels?

  • Is rainfall causing erosion or sediment pooling?

  • Is the site susceptible to flooding?

  • Is there available groundwater?

Soil

  • What is the soil quality and how does it change over the site?

  • Is there any contamination?

  • Is it suitable for growing food crops?

Vegetation

  • Are there weed species that pose a risk to the surrounding environment?

Energy

  • Are there opportunities for renewable energy interventions?

  • Are there opportunities for solar passive design?

Materials

  • Are there materials that would be hazardous to health such as asbestos on the site?

Measurement

Measuring up a site is not an easy task. There are a few methods we can use for measuring the spacial layout of a site

Traverse Line

In this method we run a long tape measure in a line and then we measure off that tape measure to the elements on the site.

Traverse Line Example

Traverse Line Example

Triangulation

Triangulation is a method to find the exact location of an object relative to two other objects.

In triangulation we use to known points A and B. You should use objects that won’t be removed and are easily accessible. A good example could be either end of a wall. From point A and point B you should now measure to point C which is the object you wish to locate. Now when you get back to the office you will be able to use a compass and draw a circle of the radius from your measurement A to C starting at Point A. Then do the same for your measurement B to C starting at point B. Where the two circles overlap will be where object C is located.

Triangulation Example

Triangulation Example

Session Outline

  • What is a site analysis?

  • Conducting the site survey

  • Measurement

  • Levels

Presentations

Activities

Definitions

Desire lines / path - Often the shortest path between two elements. It could also be the path that someone would take if there wasn’t something blocking their way.

Borrow Landscape - The borrowed landscape is what you can see from your site that doesn’t fall within it’s boundaries. If you are on the beach-side this could be a view our to the water and the cliffs. If you are in the city it could be a view to a half finished wall painted bright red and someones bedroom.

Levels

This is often the hardest part for people new to the industry to understand and measure. It is also an area where very costly mistakes can be made. You can have a site survey conducted on your behalf by professionals to avoid this.

SWOT Analysis

Analysing the sites Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats will help you set realistic objectives for you project. See examples below.

Strengths

  • Soil has pH that is suitable to a large variety of plants both exotic and indigenous

  • Surrounding building limits wind within the site

Opportunities

  • Boggy Depression in back corner could be used as an ephemeral water feature

Weaknesses

  • Boggy Depression in back corner with compacted anaerobic soil

  • No vegetation on south boundary exposes building

Threats

  • Threat to privacy of entertaining space from overlooking building

  • Lack of airflow could lead to fungal infections on susceptible plants