1. 10 site analysis

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 student’s 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 2 and those of you from LCC as well

Hi, I’m Professor Allen I graduated from the University of Michigan in 1971 with a degree in landscape architecture. 3 See, I have a ring to prove It… also as a reminder because, it was a long time ago..

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

5 I “sat” for the registration exam around 75 -76and 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… 7

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 The architecture of today must do more with less

“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 9

I will use SITE ANALYSIS as the structure for these lectures… a kind of roadmap; a backbone upon which I will hang topics. 10 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.

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

SiteAnalysis 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 andearth shelter insulation Note the earth shelter berm on NORTH elevation to minimize heat loss. Note the minimal use of glass for the same reason. 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 ,[object Object]

2. Topography maps, slope analysis, reading topography, contours, spot elevations, conventions, drainage ,[object Object],classification of types, texture, and characteristics ( most of lower Michigan is composed of Brown earths and Podzols) ,[object Object], streams, lakes, swamps, water table, flood plain, watershed, aquifer, surface drainage ,[object Object],sun, wind, and precipitation / orientation to, comfort envelope / orientation ,[object Object],trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers ,[object Object],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

2. TOPOGRAPHY / LANDFORMS The shape of the land: 29

First, define the Land We measure land. We define it as“FLAT” on the surface, with lines of LONGITUDE; pole to pole, & LATITUDE; east and west. 30

JUST A REMINDER LATITUDE LONGITUDE 31 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.

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 Here’s looking at you kid 36

Bad Grading…. Why you study topo… 39

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. And you thought it was just dirt. 41

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

Soil Composition Clay Silt Sand & Loam (organic matter) 45

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 EROSION; BAD PUPU ! 50 Plant materials protect the soil…

EROSION PROTECTION Soil Erosion control fencing is now required to prevent the loss of soil. 51

How much weight will this soil support? 53

SOIL Soil supports buildings, sometimes… Soil supports the plants you eat Soil supports life… 55

4. Hydrography IF ALL THE EARTH’S 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

“Those who refuse to learn fromhistory are condemned to relive it.” AUGUST 30, 2005 64

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

23½º Beautiful Plan for It ! 70 231/2

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

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. I usually analyze the micro climate; the climate or weather that is typical to the area of the site under consideration. 72

Note just where the sun hits the planet perpendicular… 75

WIND Prevailing winter winds Prevailing summer winds 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

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

More about plants…consider…. 85

Indigenous Red Maple ExoticMonkey Tree 88

Maintenance Free Tree Flower 89

KEY Ducks (duck dudu) Geese (goose Poop) Swans (attack boaters) Turtles Muskrats Fish Deer Muskrat Fox Coyote 93

II. CULTURAL FACTORS ,[object Object],ownership, restrictions, density ratio, deed restrictions, permits, height restrictions ,[object Object],pedestrian, vehicular, relationships, interface, noise ,[object Object],storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water, electric, telephone, cable, gas, below and above ground ,[object Object],on and off site, character and composition ,[object Object]

13. Context: Fabric; Urban, Suburban & Rural ,[object Object],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 & The like 8. ZONING 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

It’s all about getting there 103

To the transitions we make 105

& the access we provide… 106

Getting there is half the fun Plan for it… 108

How about airplane auto conflict? 113

BUT THAT IS JUST AN INVENTORY WHEN YOU NOTE THE FLOW & THE CONFLICTS; YOU ARE STARTING AN ANALYSIS 116

10. UTILITIESBelow ground Men at work Bad Utility; trip and fall utility. 118

Above ground utilities Electric Cable Telephone 119

72 hours, 3 working days, before you dig, call Miss Dig Electric & Cable Gas Sewer Water 121

PIKU HOUSE, MICHIGAN 11. EXISTING BUILDINGS 124

Now add the buildings east and west… And things start to look a little crowded… 130

1. URBAN 2. SUBURBAN 3. RURAL ? 4. WILDERNESS 13. CONTEXT: THE FABRIC 135

Spain Rural fabric? Suburban? Urban? 139

Suburban Fabric? Nice texture… 140

Wilderness ? We are drawn to it.. 141

Dow House Midland, Michigan 142

14. PEOPLE Celebrate the little people . . . 145

Architecture can create a dialogue with people… 146

III. AESTHETIC FEATURES ,[object Object]

16. Spatial Patterns voids and masses created by structures or natural elements ,[object Object],150

Framed View ◄ Sagrada Familia As viewed from the roof of Casa Milà 169 Photo by professor Ralph N.

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