Site selection

Architectural project site selection process.

1. ARCDES09 2 st Term 2021-2022 Dr. Maribel C. Tubera , PhD *For educational purposes only SITE SELECTION

2. Si t e s e l e c ti o n F o r ever y s i t e t h er e i s a n i d ea l u s e F o r ever y u s e t h er e i s a n i d ea l s i t e.

3. There are two methods of establishing a SITE : 1. SITE SELECTION PROCESS This process selects from a list of potential sites one that suits best the given use and requirements of the project . 2. DEVELOPMENT SUITABILITY PROCESS This process selects the best possible use and development suited for a given site .

4. SITE SELECTION Describes the process of identifying the optimal location for the project. Selection process: needs to be rigorous needs professional advice needs to balance the numerous opportunities and risks associated with each site and/or building looked at.

5. One of the most important decisions required within the development process. Selection must be based not only on current needs but also on projected needs . Selecting the right site for a institutional, leisure, entertainment or recreation project is critical to its success. A poor site lasts forever ; will permanently handicap the project's revenues and profits; or worse, can result in its failure. SITE SELECTION

6. There are a large number of factors that are important considerations to site selection. Some are: Population of the Region Climate Accessibility Visibility Traffic counts/congestions Physical barriers Psychological barriers Character of surrounding properties Character of surrounding community Site Size and Shape Topography Infrastructure improvements Drainage Site orientation Environmental requirements Competition Zoning Patterns of Travel Cost and Time Frame

7. SITE SELECTION CRITERIA based on other building types http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/Facility/Site_Selection.pdf

8. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Accessibility Image/Visual Quality Visibility Demographic Patterns 5. Site Capacity Neighborhood Compatibility Legal Matters Utilities Availability Physiography Tie breaker criteria/Site related cost http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/Facility/Site_Selection.pdf

9. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Accessibility - should be easily accessible by transportation and pedestrians. http://watertown.propsearch.com.sg/about-watertown/site-plan/

10. Site Selection Factors (Criteria)

11. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Image/Visual Quality – quality of the existing neighborhood surrounding the project needs to complement rather than detract from it. should be located in an area with a strong positive identity and image. should also be compatible with surrounding land uses, both existing and proposed.

12. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Visibility – a prominent location is required to attract a large number of people to the proposed building. high visibility along a major street with easy accessibility is ideal. if the site (or surrounding sites) involves other buildings, the building project should be able to be oriented in the portion of the site with highest visibility. http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/Facility/Site_Selection.pdf

13. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Demographic Patterns – site should be located where people can easily reach it and conduct other activities during the same trip. http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/Facility/Site_Selection.pdf place where people naturally converge. should be where the largest percentage of all people to be served will have access frequently in the normal pursuit of their activities.

14. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Site Capacity - the site should be large enough to provide sufficient area “footprint” required for the following: parking for users (transient and permanent) future expansion necessary allowances for setbacks and other zoning requirements suitable landscaping The resulting building should look as if it belongs on the site, not forced on a plot of ground that is too small. Ex. Library – 4 times larger than the building http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/Facility/Site_Selection.pdf

15. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Neighborhood compatibility

16. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Utilities Availability - To avoid extra costs, the presence of electrical, water, gas, sewer, and other services should be in place now, or by the time construction is scheduled to start.

17. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Physiography http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/Facility/Site_Selection.pdf - suitability of the soil, the topography of the site and orientation. are considered.

18. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Tie-Breaker Criteria: Site-Related Costs If several sites are ranked equally, or nearly so, in all of the criteria, then site-related costs should serve as a “tie-breaker” to finalize the selection of the proposed building site. http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/Facility/Site_Selection.pdf

19. Site Selection Factors (Criteria) Site-Related Costs should be compared on the basis of the following factors: Acquisition costs Demolition costs of any existing facilities on the site. Relocation costs of any existing business or residents currently on the site Any unusual site development costs that may occur - such as from a site with underground utilities and/or water, extra construction costs that will occur due to such things as poor soil conditions, limitations of the site such as underground versus above grade parking, or site configuration resulting in a more expensive building solution. Cost of providing sufficient utility service to the site http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/docs/Facility/Site_Selection.pdf

20. I. Economic Criteria determined by a feasibility and market study. Accessible location Acceptable land costs Manageable development costs Ability to support all project components (i.e. - development, recreation, regulatory constraints, circulation and infrastructure)

21. II. Physiographical Criteria includes study of the natural opportunities and/or constraints of the site. Topography Soils Water Vegetation Wildlife Site drainage

22. III. Site Governance criteria: Regulatory restrictions Property size and shape Existing utilities and structures http://www.asgca.org/site-selection

23. IV. Off-Site Issues criteria: factors into an acceptable site as well. Air traffic 3. Views Noise 4. Odors

24. DESIGN FEASIBILITY What are the implications of the development on adjacent sites or properties, and visa versa? Is the existing building Listed, or is the site within a Conservation area? Are there any protected wildlife species – bats, great crested newts for example? Is the site likely to have any contamination, or be of archaeological value?

25. DESIGN FEASIBILITY How sustainable is the site, and / or how sustainable could it be made to be? What traffic impact will the project have, and how will people journey to and from it? Are there any noise issues associated with the site and its context? How supportive will the community be to the proposals?

26. DESIGN FEASIBILITY Does the site or building generate the right amount of accommodation (net area)? Does the site provide easy access – vehicular, servicing, pedestrian, disabled? Does it possess enough character, drama, charm, or if not could it easily be designed in?

27. DESIGN FEASIBILITY Does the site allow future flexibility (adaptation, extension, etc)? Planning  Assessment: Does the site have any major Planning Policy issues that may prevent or delay the project? Does the site have the same Use Classification as the project? Is the site within a Flood Risk area?

28. DESIGN FEASIBILITY Legal assessment: Does the site have any legal issues that may prevent or restrict the proposed development? Are there any restrictive covenants? Are there any Rights of Access, and can access from the Highway be guaranteed?

29. DESIGN FEASIBILITY Legal assessment: Is there any wider regeneration benefits to be gained from the site; social, economic? Are there any major services that cross the site? Are there any invasive plant species (e.g. Japanese Knotweed) that require expensive remediation?  Is there any topographical and / or geological information? What is the quality of the existing landscape, and are there any Tree Preservation Orders?

30. Site Criteria for Museums Availability Timeliness Cost of acquisition Size Disincentives to success Concerns of major funders Strong physical constraints – flooded area, polluted areas, unsafe location Other threats to collection care Museological Issues: Security Environment Conservation Room for expansion Loading area Outdoor space Manual of Museum Planning, Gail Dexter Lord and Barry Lord

31. Location of a library will be determined by its service area, the zone a majority of patrons most likely will come from. (This concept is similar to the retailers’ “catchment area.” Example: Site Criteria for Libraries

32. Catchment area is the area and population from which a shopping center, store, hospital, school or other premises attracts/draws its customers, patrons, or visitors. For example, a school catchment area is the geographic area from which students are eligible to attend a local school. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Catchment_area _( human_geography ) localplan.westoxon.gov.uk/document.aspx http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/subviewaust.asp?ArticleID=1318 http://www.wbs.eu.com/catchment-map.php

33. Central library should be in close proximity to other civic institutions such as a city hall, cultural centers, major open spaces (plazas and parks), and educational facilities (high schools, a college or university). This type of clustering creates a density of public and civic activity and enhances the relative status of each institution. Together, these buildings and uses create a central place and can serve as a city’s core.

34. Factors determining centrality differ by criteria of measurement Centrality can be measured by distance, by accessibility (the hub of a regional transportation system), by relative density, by population distribution, or by proximity to other land uses such as schools. Siting libraries close to schools can provide students enhanced access to books, computers, and special learning programs. But centrality is also perceptual and there may not be an overwhelming consensus on where the center is in a large city or metropolitan

35. Library infrastructure needs Infrastructure refers to the provision of services including but not limited to power for equipment, heating and cooling, water, data and telephone lines and the elimination of waste and storm runoff from the site. Ideally, a potential site will have basic services provided up to the edge of the property line or along a public right-of-way.

36. Each site is unique. When comparing different parcels in a given area, it is important to keep in mind that soil conditions can vary dramatically across adjacent or proximate sites. A general rule of thumb is that a hillside site requires more expensive footings than a site with a more level grade. However, the cost of site engineering and footings should not be the sole determinant for site selection since a sloping site might afford views or may provide desired adjacency to complimentary land uses

37. Site Topography

38. Building program areas and potential building footprints

39. Land utilization and parking alternatives for a site

40. Setbacks, easements and dedications

41. Height restriction and building envelope

42. Parking in front yard vs. rear yard

43. Site orientation factors

44. http://watertown.propsearch.com.sg/about-watertown/site-plan Reference: