A) Site Location and Context

1)ID conditions and land uses of the site

- type and condition of adjoining land uses

- adjoining streets: how heavily traveled and when

- how much noise and headlight glare

2) ID Character of the neighborhood

- style, age, condition, or architectural height

- maturity of the vegetation

- feeling and the character of the neighborhood

- texture of the neighborhood

3) ID pattern of vehicular circulation in the neighborhood.

- hierarchy of road types, intensity, and the type of use

- ID primary means of arriving at the site. Are there more than one that is more frequently used and when?

4) ID zoning ordinances and building codes for the neighborhood

- building types allowed

- building heights and restrictions

- set back requirements

- right of way and road requirements

- building permits

- restrictions on fence and wall location and heights

B) Topography

1) ID degree of slope at various locations throughout the site

- ID restrictions for building on the various slope conditions

- ID land uses most appropriate for the different slope conditions present

2) ID major landform types and their significance

- concave

- convex

- valley

- ridge

3) ID areas of erosion (too steep) or poor drainage (too level)

4) ID grade changes between inside (floor elevation) and outside (grade around wall of the building) of existing buildings.

5) Check for comfort of walking in different areas

C) Hydrology and Drainage

1) ID all water shed and divides between each

- check to see if water drains away from existing buildings at all points

- ID where water flows from down spouts

2) ID major bodies of surface water

3) ID seasonal fluctuations of streams and ponds

- flooding and elevation of high water

- check for areas of erosion

4) ID wet spots and areas of standing water

5) ID drainage onto and away from the site

- does any surface water run onto the site from surroundings? If so, how much and when?

- where does the water go when it leaves the site

D) Soil

1) ID soil type

- acidic or alkaline

- sandy, clay, loam, or gravel

- fertility

2) ID depth of topsoil level

3) ID depth of bedrock

4) ID rates of percolation

E) Vegetation

1) ID and locate existing plant material

2) Large scale sites, ID:

- zones of different plant material

- crown of density for wooded areas

- maturity and height of wooded areas

3) For small scaled sites, ID:

- plant species

- size (height, spread, canopy height)

- form

- color (foliage, flowers, and fall color)

- texture

- unique features and/or characteristics

4) For all existing plant materials:

- ID condition

- value

- client's opinion (like or dislike)

5) ID restrictions for developing in and around existing vegetation

F) Microclimate

1) ID plan direction of sun at sunrise and sunset at critical times of the year

2) ID height of sun at critical times of the year

3) ID areas that are mostly sunny during critical times of the year

4) ID and locate areas that are exposed to hot, afternoon sun

5) ID and locate shadow patterns at critical times of day and seasons of the year

6) ID prevailing wind and directions through the year

7) ID and locate areas exposed to or protected from cold winter winds

8) ID overall temperatures

9) ID areas of cool air drainage

10) ID time periods and amounts of heaviest and least precipitation.

G) Existing Buildings

1) Architecture style

2) Overall massing and height

3) ID the materials of the house.

4) ID the location of the doors and the windows

- which doors are most used and when

5) For small scaled sites or those involving close associations with buildings, ID:

- how often used and when

- are any of the rooms used more frequently than others

- location and depth below ground of the basement windows

- height from bottom and top of windows and doors from the ground

- location of down spouts, outside water, electrical outlets, lights, electrical meters, gas meters, dryer vents, and etc

- location of overhangs and height above ground

- views to the outside of from the inside of the building

1) what's seen

2) should it be enhanced or screened

H) Other Existing structures

1) Location and condition of the walks, terraces, steps, walls, fences, swimming pools

2) For three dimensional elements, ID height above ground

I) Utilities

1) Location, height above ground or depth below ground of water lone, gas line, electrical lines, septic, and leach fields.

- Id easements associated with utilities

- location of telephone and electrical junction boxes

2) Location of AC and heat pumps

- height

- direction of air flow (front or top)

3) Location of pool equipment and any pipes or lines servicing it

4) Location of lights and electrical lines servicing the pool

5) Location of irrigation systems

J) Views

1) Observe and ID what is seen from all sides of the site

- good: should it be taken advantage of

- bad: should it be hidden

- indifferent

2) Observe and identify views from inside the building looking out

- how should these be incorporated

3) Observe and ID views from the side looking on

- views from different sides of the site

- views from the street

- where are the best views

- where are the worst views

K) Spaces and Senses

1) ID the existing "outdoor rooms"

- where are the "walls"

- where are the "ceilings"

2) ID the feeling and the character of these "rooms"

- open, enclosed, cheerful, gloomy, etc.

3) ID and locate unique or disturbing sounds

4) ID and locate different or disturbing odors

L) Site Functions

1) ID how the site is currently used (what, when, where, how)

2) ID location, time, and frequency of:

- employee arrival, departure

- office/store hours

- work and maintenance

- garbage collection

- service people

3) ID and locate maintenance issues

4) ID and locate special areas of wear and tear

- worn grass edges along walks and drive

- worn lawns due to children and/or pets

5) ID how one feels arriving to the site

- how do you feel

- what do you see

6) ID location for snow dumping in the winter time