Last updated on Feb 21, 2024
- All
- Engineering
- Landscape Architecture
Powered by AI and the LinkedIn community
1
GIS Software
Be the first to add your personal experience
2
Drone Mapping
3
Site Inventory Checklist
4
Sketching and Photography
5
Site Analysis Diagrams
6
Online Resources
7
Here’s what else to consider
Be the first to add your personal experience
As a landscape architecture professional, you know that site analysis is a crucial step in any design process. It helps you understand the physical, environmental, and cultural factors that shape a site and influence your design decisions. But what are the most essential tools for conducting a comprehensive and accurate site analysis? In this article, we will discuss six tools that can help you collect, organize, and visualize site data in an effective and efficient way.
Top experts in this article
Selected by the community from 8 contributions. Learn more
Earn a Community Top Voice badge
Add to collaborative articles to get recognized for your expertise on your profile. Learn more
- Shawn Kelly, FASLA,PLA Past President at American Society of Landscape Architects 3
- Kevin Post Landscape Architect creating outdoor lifestyle spaces | Future landscape visionary by using 3D and VR | Passionate… 1
- Jeff Thomson Project Management | Landscape Architecture | Urban Design + Planning | Placemaking 1
1 GIS Software
GIS (Geographic Information System) software is a powerful tool that allows you to create, edit, and analyze spatial data. You can use GIS software to overlay different layers of information, such as topography, hydrology, vegetation, soil, climate, land use, and zoning, on a digital map of your site. This can help you identify patterns, relationships, and opportunities for your design. You can also use GIS software to perform spatial analysis, such as measuring distances, areas, slopes, and aspects, and generating contour lines, buffers, and heat maps.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
2 Drone Mapping
Drone mapping is a tool that uses a drone equipped with a camera to capture aerial images of your site. You can then use software to stitch the images together and create a high-resolution orthom*osaic map of your site. This can help you obtain a detailed and updated view of your site, especially if it is large, inaccessible, or dynamic. You can also use drone mapping to create 3D models, digital elevation models, and point clouds of your site, which can help you visualize the terrain, structures, and features of your site.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Kevin Post Landscape Architect creating outdoor lifestyle spaces | Future landscape visionary by using 3D and VR | Passionate about the outdoors, nature, and adventure | oala, csla
In my landscape architectural practice, I use a 3D scanner to digitally twin the site into a point cloud for residential sites. The point cloud offers highly accurate and unlimited site detail during the design phase. It also allows for a more detailed off-site analysis of the site's existing physical conditions to happen when I am relaxed back in the office and not stressed about missing critical information or making legible notes. The 3D scanner's field app allows for onsite proofing of the scan while scanning to ensure no parts are missed. The 3D scanner has become an essential site analysis tool for me.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 1 - Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
3 Site Inventory Checklist
A site inventory checklist is a tool that helps you organize and document the data you collect from your site visit. You can use a site inventory checklist to guide your observation and recording of the existing conditions and characteristics of your site, such as landform, drainage, vegetation, wildlife, circulation, access, utilities, views, noise, and history. You can also use a site inventory checklist to note any issues, constraints, or potentials that you find on your site. A site inventory checklist can help you ensure that you cover all the relevant aspects of your site and do not miss any important information.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Matt Schultz Landscape Architecture at The Ohio State University
My most important site analysis tools are a 35’ tape measure, a 300’ tape measure, a laser transit, notepad & pens & my phone. Nothing can replace being on site & experiencing the space first hand. As I gather measurements, elevations & photos I’m experiencing the space & getting a feel for how it makes me feel & what I can do to make it a better space for the client. I get a sense of scale, sights, sounds, feelings, etc. Nothing can replace that!
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny - Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
4 Sketching and Photography
Sketching and photography are tools that help you capture and communicate the visual qualities and impressions of your site. You can use sketching and photography to record the shapes, forms, colors, textures, patterns, and contrasts of your site. You can also use sketching and photography to express your ideas, feelings, and inspirations that arise from your site visit. Sketching and photography can help you enhance your creativity, memory, and analysis of your site.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Shawn Kelly, FASLA,PLA Past President at American Society of Landscape Architects
Every ecosystem speaks many languages to those who listen. That tool of listening involves all of our senses and attention. This visual part informs next steps in what other evaluative tools will help tell the story of a site.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 3 - Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
-
To create impactful landscape designs, essential site analysis tools include topographic maps for understanding elevation, aerial imagery for site overview, soil analysis for composition, climate data for local conditions, and ecological assessments for biodiversity. Cultural/historical context adds depth. Stakeholder input ensures user needs are met. Integrating these tools ensures designs are functional, sustainable, and meaningful to the community, fostering environments that thrive and inspire.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny - Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
-
To create impactful landscape designs, essential site analysis tools include topographic maps for understanding elevation, aerial imagery for site overview, soil analysis for composition, climate data for local conditions, and ecological assessments for biodiversity. Cultural/historical context adds depth. Stakeholder input ensures user needs are met. Integrating these tools ensures designs are functional, sustainable, and meaningful to the community, fostering environments that thrive and inspire.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny - Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
5 Site Analysis Diagrams
Site analysis diagrams are tools that help you synthesize and present the data you gathered from your site analysis. You can use site analysis diagrams to illustrate the key features, issues, and opportunities of your site, such as slopes, sun and wind directions, views, focal points, circulation, and spaces. You can also use site analysis diagrams to show the relationships, conflicts, and potentials between different elements of your site. Site analysis diagrams can help you communicate your findings, conclusions, and recommendations for your design.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Kevin Post Landscape Architect creating outdoor lifestyle spaces | Future landscape visionary by using 3D and VR | Passionate about the outdoors, nature, and adventure | oala, csla
Creating quick sketches of site analysis diagrams can help one to understand the site features better. Using layers of trace or an architectural sketching app like Morpholio Trace can help to create many overlapping layers of site information quickly.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 1 - Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
- Jeff Thomson Project Management | Landscape Architecture | Urban Design + Planning | Placemaking
There is nothing like well prepared site analysis graphics that pop and are meaningful. I have no problem spending extra money on my capital projects to ensure that a sight analysis is well put together. Understanding a site properly is the first step to a projects success. Good site analysis graphics are helpful to explain complex relationships between site elements and often help to relay information in an easy visual way that can be understood by the general public.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 1 - Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
6 Online Resources
Online resources are tools that help you supplement and verify the data you collected from your site analysis. You can use online resources to access and compare different sources of information, such as maps, satellite images, historical records, demographic data, and climate data, that relate to your site. You can also use online resources to find and learn from examples, precedents, and best practices of landscape architecture projects that have similar or relevant site conditions or design goals. Online resources can help you broaden your knowledge, perspective, and inspiration for your design.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Kevin Post Landscape Architect creating outdoor lifestyle spaces | Future landscape visionary by using 3D and VR | Passionate about the outdoors, nature, and adventure | oala, csla
Online resources Trimble's Predesign, Google Maps, Google Search, online historical archives, and the municipality's online GIS system and zoning bylaws can provide one with much-needed resources when completing site analysis and designing.
Like Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny - Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
7 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture
+ Follow
Rate this article
We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great
Thanks for your feedback
Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.
Tell us more
Tell us why you didn’t like this article.
If you think something in this article goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
We appreciate you letting us know. Though we’re unable to respond directly, your feedback helps us improve this experience for everyone.
If you think this goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
More articles on Landscape Architecture
No more previous content
- You're leading a Landscape Architecture team. How can you ensure effective communication?
- You're a landscape architect who's been having conflicts with contractors. What can you do to avoid them?
- Your employer is looking for ways to cut costs. How can you convince them that you’re an indispensable asset?
- You’re a Landscape Architect with a demanding job. How can you make sure you’re taking care of yourself?
- You're a landscape architect who wants to be a great parent. How can you balance both?
- You’re a landscape architect with a packed schedule. How can you find time for self-care?
- You're considering a career in landscape architecture. What are the benefits you can expect?
- What’s the best way to make a statement with your landscape architecture project?
No more next content
Explore Other Skills
- Web Development
- Programming
- Agile Methodologies
- Machine Learning
- Software Development
- Computer Science
- Data Engineering
- Data Analytics
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
More relevant reading
- Landscape Architecture How can you integrate land development with natural systems?
- Landscape Architecture How can you develop the skills to succeed as a landscape architect in the 21st century?
- Landscape Architecture How do you become a landscape architect?
- Landscape Architecture You're a landscape architect. How can you find the right surveying tools to make your projects stand out?
