What is Site Analysis and Planning?
Site analysis is the systematic study of a site's physical, environmental, and regulatory conditions before design begins. It shapes building orientation, massing, circulation, and code compliance from the very first sketch.
Site analysis and planning is the process of studying a site's topography, climate, zoning, and access to guide design decisions, often measured through metrics like the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) that control allowable building density.
- 1↓Site Survey & TopographyMap grades, boundaries, and existing structures.
- 2↓Climate & Sun Path AnalysisStudy solar angles, wind, and microclimate.
- 3↓Zoning & Regulatory ReviewCheck setbacks, height limits, and maximum FAR.
- 4↓Circulation & Access StudyAssess vehicle, pedestrian, and transit access.
- 5↓Context & Neighborhood AnalysisReview adjacent buildings, views, and urban fabric.
- 6Synthesis & Site PlanCombine findings into the initial site layout.
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Step-by-step worked examples
A site is 2,000 m² and the proposed building has 3,000 m² of total floor area across all levels. Find the FAR.
FAR = Total floor area / Site area = 3000 / 2000 = 1.5
Zoning allows a maximum FAR of 2.0 on a 5,000 m² lot. What is the maximum floor area allowed?
Total floor area = FAR × Site area = 2.0 × 5000 = 10,000 m²
A 4-story building covers 800 m² per floor on a 1,600 m² site. What is the FAR?
Total floor area = 800 × 4 = 3,200 m² FAR = 3200 / 1600 = 2.0
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.A site is 1,000 m² with 2,500 m² total floor area. FAR?
Q2.Which is NOT typically part of site analysis?
Q3.A higher FAR generally allows...
Q4.Site analysis is best performed...
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Common mistakes
Skipping site analysis and jumping straight to design. — Correct: Always complete site analysis first — it shapes orientation, massing, and code compliance.
Confusing FAR with lot coverage. — Correct: FAR counts total floor area across all stories; lot coverage is just the building's ground footprint.
Ignoring seasonal sun angles. — Correct: Study sun path across seasons, not just a single day, for accurate solar design.
Overlooking local zoning FAR limits. — Correct: Always verify the maximum allowable FAR with local zoning before massing the design.
FAQ
What is site analysis in architecture?
It's the study of a site's context — topography, climate, zoning, and circulation — used to guide planning and design decisions.
What is the formula for Floor Area Ratio (FAR)?
FAR = Total floor area ÷ Site area. It measures allowable building density on a lot.
What are examples of site analysis factors?
Topography, sun path, wind, zoning setbacks, existing vegetation, and traffic circulation.
How do you calculate FAR for a building?
Divide the sum of all floor areas in the building by the total site area.