How Do I Prepare for my First Site Visit - Architectural Checklist✓

constructdesigning
Apr 18, 2020
4 min read

Updated: Apr 24, 2020

Hi There!

Myself Nidhi Nagda and I am an Architect by Profession.

Today I am going to share about my preparation prior to a Site Visit and a Checklist I carry so that I don't miss out on anything.

Note that I would be sharing the checklist of what I use on your email id subscribed to Construct Designing ,So Don't forget to subscribe to Construct Designing and share with your Friends too.

So Lets Get Started

There is a lot of Home work which goes prior to any Site Visits and Meetings which leads to an efficient Site Analysis.

Government Documents

Before any Site Visit is done ,Make sure you Understand about your Site with respect to

> Ward

> Zone

> Main Access Road to your Site

> Surroundings

> Land mark

> Vehicular Movement

> Traffic

> Nodes etc.

These Factors help is Assessment for Zoning , Designing and planning strategies for the Site.These Information should be in hand prior to the Visit.Try not keeping any Loose ends. At the end Architects are Answerable and Hold Responsibility of the Projects end product.

Make sure Hard copies of the plans are with you.To draw or sketch out Site Assessment during Site Visit.Which will help you Note down important factors impacting your Design.

Here I have given example of Mumbai,Maharashtra India.Similarly ,you can extract information of your respective Site,State of your country.

Note that the Prints you take are Readable and easy for you to sketch down or explain the scenario to the Client.

Here I have taken S ward for case study.I have linked the Site from where I extracted the Information.

Image Source - mcgm.gov.in/dp2034

Coming back to the Case Study of S ward,Mumbai,Maharashtra,India .As you can See you have to extract each layer Information and switch off other layers for better Understanding .

For Example ,Map showing

>Boundaries of Site and Roads/Measurements of Roads Adjoin the Site.

>Boundaries of Site and water bodies

>Boundaries of Site and Green Cover

>Boundaries of Site and Nodes

>Boundaries of Site and its surrounding Plots etc.

Make Sure Prints of These plans are color printout and to the scale to avoid Confusion and carry Stationary /Camera /Measure tape/Calculator and Compass along .so that its easy for you to Assess the documents and best readable.

Carry a plan prepared by Land Surveyor and one plan with it overlapping on Dp maps,to assess discrepancy on the plan and efficiently resolve it in post planning stage.

Make sure all the plans have North marked on it.

Having said that Lets move on to next Important Aspect

Consultants

Picture Source - https://www.lucon.fr/medias/2018/10/service-technique-1.jpg

Lets Understand that Developing a Site is a Integrated Design Approach from

Geo technical Engineering

• Sub-surface Flows • Steep Slopes • Infiltration Testing • Grading Considerations

Wetland Studies (If Any)

• Biological Assessment • Wetland Delineation • Water Level Monitoring • Flora and Fauna

MEP

• Site Planning wrt MEP • Site Design wrt MEP • Storm water Management

Civil Engineering

• Storm water Management • Road Grading and Design • Utility Design

Architecture/ Planning /Liasoning/Environmental

• Site Planning • Site Design • Building and Unit Design • Open Space and Community Planning • Design as per By Laws

Landscape Architecture

• Low Impact Landscape Design • Planting for Wetland Enhancement, Mitigation • Parks, Greens, Street scape Landscape

Most Importantly make a Note/Checklist of Information or clarity you need from respective consultants on each field .which will help Design to develop efficiently and functionally more strong.

Regarding MEP and Structural Approach Mohit mahajan and Rishabh Jain would be taking up on this in their upcoming Blog.

Make Sure you are aware of their Site Understandings and Approach before you pen down your Assessment on sheets.An Architect is expected to be aware of all aspects ,so make sure there are no loose ends left.

Hence,Make Sure All the Notes are prepared carefully and readable ,Prepare a MOM and share with all your consultants .This will keep everyone in loop and avoid discrepancy in the later stage.

Photography of Site and Surrounding

Picture Source - https://www.indiaeducation.net/imagesvr_ce/5434/Photography%201.jpg

Surroundings impact your Zoning and planning at the early stage. Hence , while marking the Circulation pattern on the DP map ,make sure you capture many photographs of the Roads,Nodes,Green Cover,Water Bodies,Surrounding Buildings,Site etc. This exercise would help you understand and explain efficiently to the Team and Clients .They would become the base discussion for most of the upcoming meetings.Update Site photographs every time there is a Site Visit .

That would help you design Buffer zone,Circulation pattern,Elevation of the Building Accordingly.

Natural physical features

Make a Note of actual features of the site such as trees, rocks, topography, rivers, ponds, drainage patterns.Its very important as an Architect to design in harmony with Nature.Using GIS as tool or Data as per Geo technical Engineer ,Study watershed management and design Landscape and Buildings accordingly.

Picture Source - https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0c/a2/ad/9d/rocky-hollow-great-site.jpg

Man made features

Existing buildings, walls, surrounding vernacular, setbacks, materials, landscaping, scale.

Utilities

Any electricity, gas, water, sewer and telephone services that are situated in or near the site, along with distances, depths and materials.

Climate

Shelter/Home is a secure place which protects us from Harsh weather condition.Design based on climatic approach depends majorly on the thorough Assessment of Site with respect to Sun path,Wind flow,Sun Light,Shade etc.

Make sure you carry a Compass and mark the direction on Site ,which would later help in determining the Site Condition and become a key to Design Approach .

Sensory

This addresses the visual, audible and tactile aspects of the site, such as views, noise, and so on. These again should be considered in time frames and a positive or negative factor can be attributed to the condition.

Make Sure All is Incorporated in your checklist Prior to The First Site Meeting/Visit.

That's about it.Hope you Liked the content and do share this with your Friends .