CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
A. Study of a particular case that is similar to your topic of design project
B. Helps to understand the various aspects that have to be considered while
designing.
C. More than two different case studies, because a comparative case study of
two or more different cases is very important and helpful.
D. Criteria for selection of case study
1. Case Study Analysis: Contextual study: Description of the off-site
context and its changes:
a) Geographic location
b) Surrounding population
c) Historical background
d) Social and political structure
e) General economy, i.e., agricultural, industrial, trade, etc.
f) Ecological and hydrographic systems, i.e., streams, rivers, plant life
g) Land use pattern, i.e., zoning, industrial, residential, etc.
h) Access systems. i.e., road networks, transit networks, etc.
i) Principal off-site estimation of facilities
2. Case Study Analysis: Environment and micro-climate
Data:
a) Topography:
Pattern of landform, i.e., rocky, ridges, ledges,
sandy, etc.
Contour, i.e., sloping, rolling, level terrain
Slope analysis , Visibility analysis, Circulation analysis
Unique features, i.e,, bodies of water, water falls, view,
etc.
b) Soils:
Bearing Capacity, Stability, Erodability, Fertility
c) Hydrology: Surface Drainage Aquifer recharge areas Depth to
seasonal, water table
d) Geology:
Seismic hazards, Depth to
e) Climate:
winds, Solar access
f) Vegetation:
bedrock
Plant communities Specimen trees Exotic
invasive species
g) Wildlife:
Endangered of threatened species habitats
Inference:
a) reason of orientation
b) kind of roof chosen
c) materials used in construction
3. Case Study Analysis: Area analysis and User behaviour
Data:
Area of each place or room
Number of users, gender, age groups, cultural groups,
Area per person
Spatial design w.r.t anthropometry
Socio-economic structure, hierarchy
Current changes and problems
Utility and space enhancement
Inference:
Adequate area for efficient working
Study on functioning of a particular place,
4. Case Study Analysis: Form and Function
Design Principles:
Built open ratio,
Minute walking distance,
zoning principles,
pedestrian vehicular segregation,
node, edge, landmark, density etc
Form: Geometry , shape, colour,
Basic Design Principles:
Composition, Balance, Proportion, Pattern,
Repetition, Rhythm, Harmony, Unity
Inference
Reason behind the form of that particular building
How it merges with the surrounding environment.
Form and Function go hand in hand.
The form of the building should be able to convey the function of the
building.
5. Case Study Analysis: Circulation
Horizontal and vertical circulation:
Area analysis, %age of passive space w. r. t active space
No of entry, exits, stairs etc
Analysis on area, location and geometry of
Corridors
Lobbies
Stairs
Lifts
Ramps,
Washrooms, etc
6. Case Study Analysis: Services
Capacity and calculations
Water supply and sanitation,
Source, waste water recycling,
HVAC
Fire fighting systems and design, ex: fire alarms, sprinklers,
Electrical layout
Security systems, bldg automation systems
7. Case Study Analysis: Structural detail
Type of structural system used (to satisfy seismic design requirements)
column beam layout,
steel or RCC
Type of roof system,
other detailing like doors, windows, finishes, etc
8. Case Study Analysis: Design details
Barrier free design
Design for disabled, Comfortable access for disabled
Socio economic profile of user group
Parking details and ratios
Legal attributes : Land ownership, Land use regulations, zoning
byelaws, Easements and deed restrictions
Historic: Archeological sites and zone
Sensory: Noise and Visual quality, Odors
Rainwater harvesting
Pollution control
Building Waste management (during construction and operation)
Adequate area provided or not?
Analysis and presentation
Steps that could be followed in conducting a survey:
Notes
Sketches
Photographs
Apparent character
Possibilities
Visual analysis
Sketches and photographs
Inspirational ideas
Comparative Case Study Analysis
title
Case study Case
I
Inference
study II
Pros
Remarks
Cons
Location
Built area
No of
floors
Area
/person
Desktop Research and Literature Review
List of Projects done by various architects on the projects
Relevant Two projects done by different architects
Architectural design , concept
Evolution of design, form
Special attributes if any
Conclusions, inference
Need and scope of project
World view; International scenario
International case studies
Architectural approach
SITE ANALYSIS
Collection of existing data based on available
Contour maps
Aerial photographs
Geologic info. and maps
soil and water survey
Climatological records
Ecological studies
Market reports
Traffic studies
Legal and public controlled
documents
Official proposals
Historical records
Current controversies
1. Site analysis: Climate
Regional data and variations of:
Temperature and precipitation
Humidity
Solar angle
Cloud cover
Wind direction and force
Local micro-climates:
Warm and cold
Slope, i.e., rise and fall of various climates
Air
Drainage
Wind deflection, i.e., breeze direction
Shade
Heat reflection
Storage plant indications, i.e., plant cover
Atmospheric quality, i.e., smell, sound
2. Site analysis: Ecology
Dominant plant/animal communities, location and relative stability
Dependence on existing factors, self-regulation and sensitivity to
change
Tapping of general plant cover including wooded areas
Example
Water
Existing water bodies; its purity and variation
Natural and man made drainages, channel-flows; its capacity and
purity
Surface drainage systems/patterns; its amount of blockages,
undrained depressions
Water table, its elevation and fluctuation
Water supply, quality and quantity
3. Site analysis: Man-made structures
Existing buildings, i.e., building outline, location, floor area, height,
elevation,, type, condition, use
Circulation facilities, i.e., roads, paths, rail links, transit points
Utilities, i.e., storm sewers, sanitary sewers, water lines, electricity,
telephone, etc., location, elevation, capacity
Note: Analyse using google maps
4. Site analysis: Sensuous qualities
Character and relation of visual spaces
Viewpoints, vistas, visual focal points
Character and rhythm of visual sequences
Quality and variation of light and sound, smell and feel
5. Site analysis: Cultural Data
Residents and using population
No. and composition, i.e., male and female, age group, etc.
Social structures and institutions: tribal community, church-based
org., cultural compositions, etc.
Economic structure: depressed areas, slum, affluent, etc.
Political structure: govt. agencies, mayor, gang leader, radical
groups etc.
Current changes and problems
On-site and adjacent behavior
Settings
Nature
Location
Rhythm
Stability
Participants
Conflicts
6. Site Analysis: History and legalities
Past and future
Site history and its traces
Public and private intentions for future use of the site, conflicts
Images
Group and industrial identification and organization of the site
Markings attached to the site, symbolic expressions
Hopes, fears, wishes, preferences
Site-values, rights and restraints:
Ownership, easements and other rights
Economic values
Accepted territories, i.e., gang lands
Political jurisdictions, i.e., boundaries
