Lecture 2 :

CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &

PLANNING STRATEGIES (part 1)
Prepared by:
Nik Syazwan Nik Ab. Wahab
Overview

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
The major role of contextual analysis in design is
that of informing us about our site prior to
beginning our design concepts so that our early
thinking about our building can incorporate
meaningful responses to external conditions.
Context is defined in the dictionary as the "whole
situation, background or environment relevant 'to
some event or product." The derivation of the
word means to "weave together."

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site as active networks
We should always remember that a site
is never inert but is an on going set of
veryactivenetworksthatareintertwined
incomplexrelationships.

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Consequences Triangle
The consequence triangle focuses on the
simulation of the completed and occupied
building and is based on the hypothesis that it
is not the design or the building itself which is
our ultimate responsibility as designers but the
prediction and delivery of a set of conse-
quences or effects that have been deemed
positive and possible.
The implanting of our building on the site will
always result in a remodeling of the site. Our
goal should always be to leave our site better
than we found it.

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Types of data

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Type of Data
Hard Data & Soft Data

The hard data usually relate to physical site factors and involve no judgments
about their existence or nature. Typical hard data would be site location,
dimensions, contours, on site features and climate.
Soft data may involve some value judgments on our part in conducting the
contextual analysis. These deal primarily with the sensory and human
aspects of the site that are not quantitative and which require an opinion
about the existence and positive or negative characteristics of certain site
qualities. Typical examples include good and bad views from the site, best
approach directions to the site in terms of view, existence of odors and
extent to which they are annoying, presence o f existing on site human
activities and their value (informal playground, gathering spot for
unemployed workers, neighborhood fairs and festivals) and types of noises
and the extent to which they are disruptive.
This "soft data", although it initially involves judgments, tends to become
"hard data once it is documented in the contextual analysis.

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Implication to design

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Contextual analysis is a prelude to designing for context. It involves knowing what
wehavetoworkwithintermsofsitebeforewebegintoworkwithitinsitezoning.
Likefunction,imageorbuildingenvelope,itisanotherwayofenteringtheproblem,
ofmakingourfirstconceptualdecisionswhichformthedesignermadecontextfor
subsequentdecisions.

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Function & context

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Function tends to locate building
spaces in an introverted way in
that they are primarily looking
inward to each other for the
rationale behind their positions in
the scheme. Context, on the other
hand , wants the spaces to
migrate to different positions on
the site in response to conditions
outside the building.
In function, the attraction is be
tween spaces. In context, the
attraction is between spaces and
external site conditions. Usually
in a design problem these two
(and all the other) project issues
pull and push the spaces to
determine their final placement in
the scheme.
They are in a very real sense
competing with each other to
determine the building form.

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Design The Approach
implication

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Diagramming

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site analysis & potential issues
Macro analysis
Micro analysis

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Location

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Neighborhood context

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Neighborhood context

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Neighborhood context

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Neighborhood context

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Neighborhood context

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Neighborhood context

Contours
Major land features
Surface drainage patterns
Sewer system
Vegetation
etc

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Human & cultural

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Human & cultural

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Macro analysis : Climate

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Site & zoning

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Site & zoning

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Site & zoning
Other requirements by local
authority :
Parking requirements
Density
Plot ratios
Architectural treatment
Amenities requirement
etc

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Legal
Land Ownership
1. Full ownership
2. Limited Ownership
Local authorities /
jurisdiction
Status of land usage
etc

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Natural & physical

Water elements
Ground cover &
condition
Soil
etc

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Man made

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Circulation

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Utilities

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Sensory

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Micro analysis : Sensory

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site Factors &
Design Vignettes

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes

the next few pages

illustrate how site design
vignettes can be
stimulated in response to
individual site factors and
conditions. These site
design vignettes can then
serve to evoke concepts
for arranging all the
client's activities and
spaces on the property.

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes : Examples

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes : Examples

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes : Examples

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes : Examples

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes : Examples

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes : Examples

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes : Examples

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES
Site factors & design vignettes : Examples

Lecture 2:
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS &
PLANNING STRATEGIES