There are many variables that professional landscape architects consider when developing and drawing site plans. Every project has unique needs and requirements which enable the facility users to successfully use and enjoy the facility. These variables are dependent upon how the facility or project will be used. A residential site plan will consider beauty, comfort, and client preferences, as well as efficiency, usability, and safety. Alternatively, a commercial site plan usually focuses on code compliance, safety, functionality, and meeting user operational needs, with beauty having a lesser impact.
As we highlighted in our previous article “Should You Hire a Landscape Architect?” we describe the roles and value a landscape architect brings to a project. Landscape Architects have a unique ability to create site designs that not only function but also create outdoor spaces that bring joy and happiness to people. Landscape architects work with a team of architects and engineers to bring a project from concept to construction.
While this may seem straightforward, each of the elements requires a deep understanding of design, engineering, and construction standards. In this article, we hope to give you an overview of the elements that must be considered when developing a site plan. If you have specific questions, please reach out to us.
Site Plan Elements
The Landscape Architect will develop the site plan concept, drawn to scale, taking into account the applicable site plan elements and requirements. This is true on both a residential site plan and commercial site plans.
Buildings
Working with the Architect, the Landscape Architect determines the ideal orientation of the building on the site. Primary factors include the locations of entrances and exits from the building, the optimal solar orientation for energy conservation, access and connections to adjacent buildings, and visibility.
In addition to determining the optimal orientation, the site plan must comply with all codes and regulations for siting buildings. Common examples are setbacks, easements, buffer yards, and minimum building spacing distances.
Vehicular Circulation and Parking
Determining how vehicles will safely and efficiently use the site is a major component of a site plan. The plan should identify the location of access drives entering and exiting the site, emergency vehicle access, gates, parking areas, and drop-off areas.
The design of circulation routes and parking lot layout is beyond the scope of this article, but might be a topic for future discussion.
Some additional elements for consideration include providing adequate turn-around space for emergency and delivery vehicles, as well as the location of dumpsters and service areas. On a residential site plan, also include storage for boats, recreational vehicles, and other equipment.
Codes and regulations applicable to the project site often dictate minimum dimensions for the layout of these elements. For example, lane widths, driveway widths, turning radii, parking stall sizes, number of parking spaces, planter island sizes, and more are regulated by Codes.
Pedestrian Circulation
Designing for pedestrians should always begin with safety as the primary concern. Providing safe, accessible routes to and from destinations is critical. Ideally, pedestrians should be separated from vehicles to the greatest extent possible.
Begin by identifying the destinations to and from the buildings, facilities, and parking areas. Establish expected paths of travel pedestrians may take, as well as potential areas of concentration. Once identified, this information becomes the basis for determining the layout and dimensions for safe and convenient walkways and routes.
A key concern is providing barrier-free accessible routes from buildings to accessible parking spaces. Compliance with ADA/ABA codes and regulations is required. Provide ramps as required.
Grading and Drainage
Evaluate the existing topography, slopes, elevations, and flood zone designation. Once those are determined, the building Finish Floor Elevation (FFE) should be set on the site plan, as well as the elevations of the other elements. The FFE identifies the elevation that the building will be constructed. The site plan must show positive drainage away from the building to protect the building and foundation from water damage.
The grading design may also highlight retaining walls, steps, and ramps to allow circulation from the building to other areas and elements of the site, such as parking lots.
The site plan must also locate swales, ditches, ponds, and other stormwater management facilities to accommodate runoff from buildings, parking, and roadways.
Energy Conservation
The site plan should provide elements that combat climatic conditions unique to the site. This may include windscreens, shade structures, or other features to improve the usability and efficiency of the site.
Utilities
Identifying existing utility line locations and connection points is critical for site plan development. To function, buildings and site features need access to water, electricity, sewer, and other utilities. The site plan should identify new utilities that are sized appropriately for the new demand created by the facilities.
Locating these utilities should consider ease of access for future maintenance and repair. For example, utilities should never be located underneath a building where future access would be problematic.
Physical Security
Provide the locations and configuration of any physical security elements, such as perimeter fencing and gates, walls, bollards, or other security elements.
Planting
For a site plan, the information presented on planting typically provides “big picture” elements such as existing vegetation and trees to remain, streetscape plantings, vegetation massing, and location of lawns. Detailed planting schemes are developed at a later stage and are usually shown on planting plans.
Outdoor Space and Site Amenities
Outdoor spaces should be labeled and located on site plans. Examples may be recreation areas, plazas, or picnic areas. The detailed design of these elements will be done later by the Landscape Architect. Well-defined site plans also account for site amenities such as lighting, site furniture, and signs.
Closing Thoughts
While this was meant as an overview, we hope you learned about the elements that should be included in site plans, including a residential site plan. Each of these elements must be developed in great detail and respond to the other elements. Site planning is more of an art than a science. Landscape architects are uniquely suited to bring together planning, design, and engineering to produce site plans. To learn more, read our article about the value a landscape architect can bring to your project.