Site Planning in the Context of Architectural Projects
- 1. Ar. J.K.GUPTAAr. J.K.GUPTA, Former Director, College of Architecture, IET, Former Director, College of Architecture, IET Bhaddal--Email---- jit.kumar1944@gmail.comBhaddal--Email---- jit.kumar1944@gmail.com SITE PLANNING
- 2. Buildings- Role and ImportanceBuildings- Role and Importance Buildings-- integral part of human history, growth and development Buildings -- shall continue to define journey of human growth and development Buildings-- make manmade environment- vital for human growth Buildings –are living organism Buildings -- as structures cater to all human activities Buildings -- largest consumers of energy (50%) Buildings - largest consumers of resources Buildings – largest generators of waste Buildings- largest polluter of environment /ecology Buildings --- responsible for largest carbon footprints Buildings -- responsible for global warming Buildings -- major determinant of global sustainability
- 3. Buildings- Role and ImportanceBuildings- Role and Importance • Buildings– providers of optimum/worst living conditions Buildings -- make people healthy/sick Buildings --critical because 80% human life spent in buildings -- Buildings-- vital to address / overcome human/ ecological concerns Making Buildings Sustainable-- essential to make value addition to resources, environment ,ecology Studies revealed — Sustainable school Buildings-- makes learning easy and more meaningful Sustainable Home --- makes people happy and healthy Sustainable Hospital building-- cures patients quickly Sustainable shopping mall-- can increase sale / profits
- 4. SDG 11- Make cities and human settlements inclusiveSDG 11- Make cities and human settlements inclusive ,safe, resilient and sustainable,safe, resilient and sustainable
- 7. Buildings- Built EnvironmentBuildings- Built Environment• Operational domain of Buildings revolves around: • -Searching for a Site • - Site Planning • -- Designing Building • --construction, • --operation, • -- maintenance • --Demolition and • -Reconstruction of building • Professionals-- have a critical role and responsibility in; -- Making value addition to resources ,environment ,ecology -- creating sustainable buildings. • -- Making Buildings cost–effective -- Making optimum use of available resources --- Using the existing potential of site
- 8. DESIGNING GREEN BUILDINGSDESIGNING GREEN BUILDINGS •Adopting integrated approach to building design forAdopting integrated approach to building design for reducing energy in buildings by:reducing energy in buildings by: Site planning- planning with nature, making best use of site potential/climate, orientation, landscaping building envelop design – with minimum energy implications High building efficiency- Integrating renewable energy resources- to generate energy on site. Using Ecologically sustainable/ low energy materials- local and in natural form. Using eco- friendly construction methodologies. Effective water and waste management. Innovative options used for heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation. •Role ofRole of Architects, Engineers, Structural Engineers,Architects, Engineers, Structural Engineers, Builders critical in evolving Energy Efficient buildingsBuilders critical in evolving Energy Efficient buildings.. •Town PlannersTown Planners to contribute to energy reduction by :to contribute to energy reduction by : –evolving layout plans with energy as focus, –making best use of sun and wind
- 9. Designing Green BuildingsDesigning Green Buildings • Green Building Design to be based on - CLIMATE • Orientation -- to optimize light and heat gain/heat loss • Sun movement-- to maximizes use of free solar energy for heating /lighting • Wind direction---using movement of air for ventilation/ cooling • Planning -- to optimize the site, shape of building, planning spaces, allocating uses, placing or rooms, circulation, promoting building efficiency, promoting natural sunlight, air and ventilation • Building Envelop--– Mass – space relationships/ solids and voids, positioning of openings ,projections, shading devices, height, shape of building, natural lighting and ventilations etc • Materials- Materials to be used for buildings- low embodied materials locally available and in natural form, lightweight – reduce dead load • Technologies - Cost- effective, material efficient, speedier construction, energy efficient • Indoor Air Quality- To create optimum living conditions for residents
- 10. Designing Green BuildingsDesigning Green Buildings • CLIMATE to be the major driver of the Green Building Design • Climate to be considered in three contexts • Macro Climate - Regional context- to help understand the prevailing general climatic conditions & climatic zone in which site falls • Meso Climate – Settlement context- to understand the prevailing local climatic conditions • Micro Climate--Site climate – to understand the site and site specific peculiarities in terms of location, topography, existing flora/fauna/ water bodies etc
- 11. •Context of Site •In Designing Buildings
- 12. Understanding SiteUnderstanding Site • Understanding Site critical for • Defining structure of the project • Positioning Buildings • Determining solid and void relationship within site • Determining shape, size &volume of buildings • Determining distances between buildings • Planning and designing state of art Buildings; • Planning and designing Sustainable Buildings • - Creating Cost –effective Buildings • -- Planning of spaces- both internal and external • -- Determining building setbacks • - Preparing Landscape design • - Evolving Traffic and Transportation Plan • -- Preparing Infrastructure plan • -- Evolving Service Plan - Preparing Drainage Plan • - Providing Rain water Harvesting
- 13. Understanding SiteUnderstanding Site • Before starting design; • -- site needs to be studied, analysed and understood thoroughly and objectively • --Design to be outcome of the site and site responsive • - Premeditated design always fail to do justice to project- making them irrational/unsustainable • -- SWOT analysis of Site needs to be carried out- to understand its strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats • -- Design to aim at making optimum use of strength of site • -- overcome its weaknesses • -- make best use of opportunities being offered and • -- ward off all possible threats • Site needs to be looked out both from inside, outside and from top and bottom
- 14. Understanding SiteUnderstanding Site • Site needs study/analysis in terms of; • Location, • Accessibility • Shape and size • Topography, • Vegetation, • Infrastructure, • Orientation • Wind Direction • Local culture, soil conditions • View from site /View to site • Prevailing typology of buildings • Existing structures within site • Existing encumbrances- electric /gas lines, water bodies etc • Local Building bye laws • Developmental Controls- Height, FAR, Setbacks ,land use etc
- 15. •Site Analysis
- 16. Site AnalysisSite Analysis Thorough and objective site analysis critical for evolving cost-effective, environmentally sustainable and rational design solution for any project Site analysis critical for evaluation of site in terms of ; - Its existing potential - Understanding environmental impact of development - Impact on community – Impact on adjoining development/properties – defining project design – - defining scope of project – - understanding development constraints
- 17. Site Analysis- Factors consideredSite Analysis- Factors considered i) Understanding Site ii)Location iii)Orientation iv)Wind direction v)Soil conditions vi)Topography vii)Vegetation and Natural Features viii) Hydrology and Precipitation ix)Infrastructures x)Surrounding Land uses & Buildings xi)Vision / Visual Linkages
- 18. Site Analysis- LocationSite Analysis- Location i) Understanding Site – • most critical in design process •. Detailed site analysis needed to-- - Record --Evaluate information on the site and its surroundings ----understand the various features which will be important during the design ii)Location First aspect that one needs to look at---- • Where is the site located? • How is the site approached? • What is street/ road etc on which site is located? • How far away major junction? •-- Respect the abutting roads to site •- Position buildings parallel to abutting roads even when site not regular
- 19. Orientation-- Movement of Sun and planning of building
- 20. Site Analysis- OrientationSite Analysis- Orientation iii)Orientation is position/positioning of site with relation to points of compass/other specific directions •Context of each cardinal direction needs to be understood- North/South/East/West •Context of Climate zone needs understanding for design •Orientation plays important role in siting building. When combined with: •-- wind direction and •-- sun path would give a good idea as to how building / design should be oriented so as to : --optimize design. •Orientation- along with sun path will determine
- 21. Site Analysis- OrientationSite Analysis- Orientation•South- East --best orientation in composite climate •North -- worst orientation in cold/ hilly areas- North slope to be banned for all development in hills •North orientation- best for sourcing glare free , uniform natural light without any heat gain- provide opportunities for large glazing- most suitable in industrial buildings •West – worst orientation- Minimum surfaces to be provided in west to avoid heat gain- have minimum west oriented walls, where provided—use cavity walls/thick walls/green walls/ventilated cavity walls/white paints/reflective surfaces/ trees for shading vertical /louver-- provide minimum openings- use for storage/ non-habitable uses •West/South west--Residential Buildings- can be used
- 24. Making Buildings Energy efficientMaking Buildings Energy efficient
- 26. Site Analysis- Wind DirectionSite Analysis- Wind Direction . iv) Wind Direction ---Most locations -- will have a general major direction from which wind comes. -- However, not always hold true -- varies from location to location -- season to season. • For designing a climatologically responsive building --important to consider -- direction of wind -- to channelized through interiors.
- 27. Site Analysis-Soil ConditionsSite Analysis-Soil Conditions vi) SOIL Soil varies from place to place. • Properties also vary according to type of soil. -Sandy soil, - clayey soil, --laterite etc all have different properties– -- load bearing, -- water retentivity --Water absorption -- homogeneity -- which impact design of building. -- Soil conditions important -- while designing structure of buildings.
- 28. Site Analysis-TopographySite Analysis-Topography vii) Topography – --refers to the slope and level of land whether; --- land is flat/plain or --- sloping/ undulating • Designing--a sloping site more challenging. • If a site is sloping, exact slope can be interpreted from a detailed Contour map. •Locations and spacing of contour play a • big role in siting of building. • Always better to design buildings along contours, • integrating contours into design reduces unnecessary cutting and filling of soil.
- 29. Site Analysis-Vegetation & NaturalSite Analysis-Vegetation & Natural FeaturesFeatures •Viii) Vegetation and Natural Features •Natural vegetation present on site -- very important. • Every good design will -- integrate ---highlight & ---accentuate Natural vegetation to create perfect harmony. •Vegetation comprises of-- trees, flora and fauna existing on site. •Marked on site plan to integrate with design along with by defining their; --location, --- -- type , -- size , --diameter or - spread of branches/ heights etc
- 30. Vegetation and Natural FeaturesVegetation and Natural Features
- 31. Site Analysis-Precipitation &Site Analysis-Precipitation & HydrologyHydrology ix) Hydrlogy and Precipitation: •Amount of rainfall and • Time period during which rainfall occurs/ site receives ---are to be found out. • Relative Humidity found out to --determine moisture content in atmosphere. • Higher relative humidity suggests a humid climate,-- cross circulation of wind at body level is a must for comfort. • A lower relative humidity suggest s a dry climate
- 32. Site Analysis- InfrastructureSite Analysis- Infrastructure FacilitiesFacilities x) Infrastructure •Infrastructure facilities refer to services present in vicinity of Site. • Major facilities to be considered are : -- water supply, -- Storm water drainage , -- Waste disposal, -- Electricity supply - Roads -Communication network etc. • Important while planning / zoning site for : --promoting economy and --making optimum use of services
- 33. Site Analysis-Land Use/VisualSite Analysis-Land Use/Visual linkageslinkages xi)Surrounding land uses & buildings – . For optimum design solution — --surrounding land uses and --buildings .need close focus and consideration • Incompatible landuses may lead to creation of issues in design. •Height and setbacks of adjoining buildings important in ensuring •--flow of air and --- sunlight. xii) Prominent Vision lines / Visual linkages – •Important element in design process. • Views to site as well •-- views from the site •-- need careful consideration, •-- while designing.
- 34. Site Planning
- 35. Site PlanningSite Planning Site planning is the; – Art and science of positioning structures and designing internal and external in a given site. • --It is also the Art and science of determining typology of buildings and their location in the context of a given site having regard to orientation , landscaping, infrastructure, mobility, parking , privacy, view etc •
- 36. Site PlanningSite Planning PrinciplesPrinciples . i) Neighbourhood Character ii) Physical Characteristics iii)Site and Slopes iv)Set backs v)Minimum Fingerprints of Building vi)Minimum damage to site vii)Design with Nature and local Culture viii) Promoting Pedestrianisation ix) Using hierarchy of -- Preservation, -- Conservation and -- Regeneration
- 37. Site PlanningSite Planning PrinciplesPrinciples . Site planning / design--- Need to consider broad range of concerns before evolving design concept.: ---physical aspects of site --vision/ program of client, ---designer’s own creative inclination, -- concerns of community ---interests of end user. --- zoning /bye-laws requirements -- to regulate the density / geometry of development, road widths ,parking and drainage requirements, --- natural resource( protection ) areas. ii)Neighbourhood Character iii) Physical Characteristics Site planning incorporate an accurate description of: • Shape, size, orientation of site and easements. • Levels / contours of site and -- difference in levels between site / surrounding properties. • Location/ height of existing buildings on site and surrounding properties. use of surrounding buildings, including location of habitable rooms.
- 38. Site PlanningSite Planning PrinciplesPrinciples . iv Set backs; •Set backs most important in site planning and positioning of buildings •Adequate Set backs vital for promoting sustainability and livability •Identify worst orientation and leave minimum set backs. •Maximum setbacks given in the front for safety, security, sealing from noise, privacy, developing green spaces, avoiding demolition during widening/laying infrastructure- specially when facing North/east •Leave minimum setbacks for fire safety, air-light and ventilation in buildings •Identify open spaces to be left within buildings before siting of buildings and defining setbacks
- 39. Site PlanningSite Planning PrinciplesPrinciples . v) Site and Slopes • Good designing follow grades and run along ridge lines. • Steep site slopes often require increased cut and fill, if building are sited using conventional methods of designing • If incorporated into initial subdivision/layout process-- slope can be asset to development.. vi) Use Site Finger-printing • Site finger-printing (minimal disturbance techniques) can be used to: -- further reduce limits of clearing and grading --minimizing hydrologic impacts. Site fingerprinting includes: -- restricting ground disturbance by -- indentifying smallest possible area --clearly delineated on site. -- Reduce paving and --compaction of highly permeable soils.
- 40. MANAGING SITE- MIN. CUTTING &FILLINGMANAGING SITE- MIN. CUTTING &FILLING
- 41. Site Planning-impact ofSite Planning-impact of buildings- minimising Buildingbuildings- minimising Building FootprintsFootprints
- 42. Site PlanningSite Planning PrinciplesPrinciples . vii) Minimizing damage/harm --Make no changes to site that will degrade the surrounding environment. ---Promote projects on sites -where previous disturbance /development presents an opportunity to regenerate ecosystem services through sustainable design. viii)Design with nature and culture Create and implant designs that are responsive to : -economic, -environmental, and cultural conditions with respect to : -- local, regional, and global context. ix)Planning New Pedestrian Links –to promote Pedestrianization and minimising vehicular traffic x) Use hierarchy of preservation, conservation, and regeneration Maximise the benefits of ecosystem by : --preserving existing environmental features --conserving resources in a sustainable manner, and --regenerating lost or damaged ecosystem services.
- 44. •Conclusions
- 45. Site Planning and Building DesignSite Planning and Building Design • Respect abutting roads while positioning/ designing buildings- buildings to run parallel to abutting roads • Set backs in the site should be dictated by the orientation/legal framework – with minimum setback kept on worst side and large setback on the best orientation/front side • Setbacks also defined considering the open spaces to be provided within the buildings and the prevailing flora- fauna besides area to be used for landscaping
- 46. Site Planning and Building DesignSite Planning and Building Design • Lighting -also to dictate positioning of building- with north best for glare free/uniform/cool light • Building design preferably dictated by golden mean ratio while considering the proportions • In irregular site- plan for regular buildings with walls running parallel to abutting roads and residual irregular spaces used for landscaping/set backs. • In designing-- respect site, respect nature, existing topography and existing water
- 47. Site Planning and Building DesignSite Planning and Building Design • Site planning- based on Climate considered at Regional/ Settlement/Site levels • Look for prevailing wind direction for site planning and positioning of buildings in site— • Look for desirable winds/undesirable winds • Look at the orientation context for site planning • Look at the views from/to site– make best use of views focusing on nature, avoid views of slums/industry/pollution etc • Carry out land suitability analysis in large projects for defining areas needing preservation/conservation/ fit for development/unfit for development for rational site planning
- 48. AND SEARCH FOR PROMOTING RATIONALAND SEARCH FOR PROMOTING RATIONAL SITE PLANNING CONTINUES ASSITE PLANNING CONTINUES AS FORMIDABLE CHALLENGE TO ARCHITECTSFORMIDABLE CHALLENGE TO ARCHITECTS