Projects encompass an inordinate amount of information. Trying to comprehend and explain this information about a project can be overwhelming. Isolating the issues and independently diagramming the thoughts or action can help formulate and articulate fundamental issues regarding the design intent. Diagrams can be a critical tool in examination to prove a design direction... “You said this but the building is doing that..." These diagrams can range in scale and should be utilized to help isolate major influences on a project.

At a minimum every project will articulate a site analysis that articulates any information inventoried, and should be illustrated graphically. On these illustrations important factors may be abstracted, or isolated and emphasized, to build a firm foundation from which to interrelate all known elements.

Natural Factors

Geology
Topography
Hydrology-surface and groundwater
Soils
Vegetation – plant ecology
Wildlife – habitats
Climate – Solar orientation, wind, precipitation, and humidity
Solar calculator http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/

Cultural Factors

Existing land use – ownership of adjacent property and off-site nuisances.
Traffic and transit –vehicular and pedestrian circulation on or adjacent to site.
Density and zoning – legal and regulatory controls.
Socioeconomic factors
Utilities – sanitary storm water, water, gas, steam, electricity, and telephone.
Existing Buildings
Historic Factors – historic buildings, landmarks, and archaeology.

Aesthetic Factors

Natural features.
Spatial pattern –views, spaces and sequences.
Context
Typology