The importance of

Place Analysis in the design process

Place Alliance Summer School 2017Day 1 - studio | REAL

Hello!

• Annemarie de Boom

• studio | REAL

The design process

Site selection

Brief

Site & context analysis

Constraints & opportunities

Masterplan

Design code

Policy context

• Site and context = place analysis

• Each step informs the next

• Feedback loops required; place analysis should inform brief and site selection and policy

Designframework

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

Why analysis?

Good development:

• Responds to site conditions• Physical constraints

• Identity and character

• Enhances character, quality and function of the wider area

• Site development vs extending and repairing towns

An example

• High quality architecture

• Some good internal streets

But…• Isolated from

surroundings• No benefits to

surrounding communities

An example

• Rigid grid structure:• Poor connections• Awkward interface

with surrounding buildings

• Small and fragmented spaces

An example

• Analysis of surrounding area found network of paths and spaces

• Extend and connect through site

• Same volume of development

• Stronger identity focus around central green

• Eliminate poor interfaces and..

• Community-wide benefits

An example…

• Planning consent

An example

TopographyWaterways

Trees and woodland

Listed buildings

Building heights and massing

Density

Ecology

Street hierarchy

Access

Surrounding land uses

Ground conditions

Microclimate

Community infrastructure

Urban formMaterials

Public transport

Footpaths and cycleways

Archaeology

Planning context

Building style

Site locationNeighbourhood structure

Community views

Demographics

Socio-economics

Property market

Utilities

Historical development

Landmarks

Views

Local vernacular

Fronts and backs

Barriers

What to analyse?

SITECONTEXT

A bit of theory…

• Layers of a place• Natural landscape

• Connections

• Buildings

• Use

• Inter-relation between layers = responsive design > sense of place

Organising your analysis

Landscape

TopographyTrees and woodlandsWaterwaysEcologyGround conditionsMicroclimateEtc…

Movement & infrastructure

Road hierarchy Foot and cycle pathsAccess pointsBarriersPublic transportUtilities and infrastructureEtc…

Built form

Development pattern (morphology)

Urban form (figure ground)Fronts and backsListed buildings & other

historic featuresArchaeologyBuilding scale, height,

massingLocal vernacularEtc…

People and use

Neighbourhood structure Surrounding land usesConsultation and engagementSocio-economicsMarket analysisEtc…

site | neighbourhood | region | site |neighbourhood | region |site |neighbourhood |region |site |neighbourhood |region

puzzle solving

Mind the gap!

• Relate findings to design proposal• SWOT

• Constraints and opportunities

• Analyse what to analyse

• Doing vs drawing

puzzle solving storytelling

+

urban design =

An example

• Analysis

• Key findings

• Relevance• Justification

• Constraint

• Opportunity -inspiration

An example

puzzle solving

• Analysis

• Key findings

• Relevance• Justification

• Constraint

• Opportunity -inspiration

An example

• Analysis

• Key findings

• Relevance• Justification

• Constraint

• Opportunity -inspiration

puzzle solving

An example

• Analysis

• Key findings

• Relevance• Justification

• Constraint

• Opportunity -inspiration

puzzle solving

DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

An example

• Development framework or “concept”• Design

response to key findings

An example

• Masterplan• Accommodating

buildings into framework

• Final design

A response design with sense of place, but... …the volume housebuilders’ treatment

Key tasks

• Desktop review• OS 1:25,000 • OS Vector• Topo / utilities• Google Earth / Bing • Local plan• Other background

documents

• Study the plans and highlight aspects for review

• Site visit• Camera• Plans at different scales• Markers

Presentation

• Appropriate to:• Audience

• Time and budget

• Presentation platform

• Tools• Drawings – hand / digital

• Photos

• Annotated plans

A

B

Montessori

Primary school

Community centre

Nursery

puzzle solving

An example

Regeneration site

puzzle solving

An example

• South facing canal frontage – potential for attractive spaces

• Building at right angles to canal will optimise solar orientation; building parallel to canal will cast shadows

Key design considerations

1. Solar orientation2. Connectivity3. Canal frontage4. Fronts and backs5. Height, massing, character6. Heritage7. Viable development parcels

puzzle solving

An example

• Area is disconnected from high street (Station Road)

• Extending existing streets will create direct routes and improve connectivity

Key design considerations

1. Solar orientation2. Connectivity3. Canal frontage4. Fronts and backs5. Height, massing, character6. Heritage7. Viable development parcels

puzzle solving

An example

• Canal has predominant green or “rural” character

• Existing embankment (bund) creates upper and lower levels; green & quiet and hard and animated character

• Design guidance needed for coherent approach?

Key design considerations

1. Solar orientation2. Connectivity3. Canal frontage4. Fronts and backs5. Height, massing, character6. Heritage7. Viable development parcels

puzzle solving

An example

• Site is bounded by “backs”.

• Introduce backs to backs

• Front of buildings to face and animate streets and spaces

Key design considerations

1. Solar orientation2. Connectivity3. Canal frontage4. Fronts and backs5. Height, massing, character6. Heritage7. Viable development parcels

puzzle solving

An example

• Adjoining buildings of varied style, mass and height

• Scale of development to relate to neighbouring buildings

2.5 storey (com.)

3-4 storey (com.)

8-10 storey

2.5 storey (res.)

2-4 storey (ind.)

Key design considerations

1. Solar orientation2. Connectivity3. Canal frontage4. Fronts and backs5. Height, massing, character6. Heritage7. Viable development parcels

puzzle solving

An example

• Retention of listed or “marker” buildings could help establish character and create sense of place

• Retained buildings require appropriate setting and “meaning”

• Building on heritage character - style guide, colour and materials palette? (red brick, steel window frames, roof shape etc.)

Key design considerations

1. Solar orientation2. Connectivity3. Canal frontage4. Fronts and backs5. Height, massing, character6. Heritage7. Viable development parcels

puzzle solving

An example

• Site constrained by dimensions – i.e. long and narrow

• “Standard” development parcel min. 53m wide

Key design considerations

1. Solar orientation2. Connectivity3. Canal frontage4. Fronts and backs5. Height, massing, character6. Heritage7. Viable development parcels

puzzle solving

An example

1. Silverdale Road realigned and extended to provide a direct link between Station Road and Pump Lane

2. Silverdale Rd punctuated by series of marker building…

3. …and spaces

4. Pedestrian links to canal frontage

5. Secondary links to Pump Lane (connected street network)

6. Building frontages animate streets and spaces, incl canal frontage

7. Backs against backs4

55

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5

2

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6

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66

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Urban design framework

puzzle solving

An example

Development options and capacity testing