How to study local context
Help Guide
Understanding context
Introduction
It is often necessary to undertake a context study of the area surrounding the site and the wider area for a full understanding of the place in order to respond positively to its distinctive features. Well-designed buildings need to respect and enhance their built and natural environment surroundings whilst addressing local constraints, the vision for its area typeParts of the local area that share common features and characteristics. Common rules and parameters can then be applied to each area type. More and responding positively to new issues such as innovation and environmental sustainability.
Identity
What are the components that contribute to the overall identityThe identity or character of a place comes from the way that buildings, streets and spaces, landscape and infrastructure combine together and how people experience them. More of the area? Is it mainly the landscape or architectural vernacular of buildings or a combination of both of these?
Notable buildings and landmarks
The amount and size of buildings and plots on blocks
Notable buildings may inform future development in terms of style, material or scale.
- Site visits
- Context studies
- Historical analysis
- Survey local people about which buildings are local landmarks
Local building materials
How do the traditional building materials of the area dominate the visual apperance?
Considering modern materials it will not be the expectation to replicate older unsustainable materials, however where common material colours and textures the visual appearance can be enhanced by complimenting that palette.
- Site visits
- Context studies
- Materials palettes
- Historical analysis
Is there one dominant building material in the local area?
Is there a mix of building materials in the local area or street?
Local architectural style
What is the local vernacular of historic and modern buildings?
Local architectural style will influence future design in a positive manner when designed correctly, considering demands for modern building materials and performance.
- Site and context visits
- Vernacular studies
- Historical records and analysis
- Survey local people and council officers
Are all buildings of similar age and vernacular
Are new buildings replicating traditional craftsmanship and materials?
Facade composition
Is there a common theme within the composition of facades on buildings in the area?
Proportions that align with neighbours can continue the structure of a street and stitch up gaps in the townscape where buildings have previously not followed proportion patterns.
- Site visits
- Context studies
- Elevation comparison study
- Historical analysis
What is the proportion between windows and walls?
Is there a common window proportion on local facades?
How do buildings create depth and articulationArchitectural composition in which elements and parts of the building are expressed logically, distinctly, and consistently. More in the facades?
Is there a replication of material palette along the street?
Is there symmetry within the façade of local buildings?
Is the façade composition repeated within neighbouring buildings?
Commercial facades
Are there common architectural features in local area?
Are entrances and porches clear on streets and create features?
Is commercial signage in proportion with the facade?
Streetscapes
Street scenes in Trafford have been influenced by movement patterns that are historic and created by various road and water-based transportation in the Borough. It is important to understand how the street patterns have been created over time.
Streetscape patterns
Are there patterns in the street formed by buildings or landscape?
A fine grainThe pattern of the arrangement of street blocks, plots and their buildings in a settlement. The degree to which an area’s pattern of blocks and plot subdivisions is respectively small and frequent (fine grain), or large and infrequent (coarse grain). Urban grain is a key component of defining the character of a place. More of smaller buildings and plots can create greater variety and visual interest at ground floor level. Larger grain blocks can accommodate higher density taller buildings in the correct location. Sensitive design is required when introducing different building footprint sizes and changing the urban grainThe pattern of the arrangement of street blocks, plots and their buildings in a settlement. The degree to which an area’s pattern of blocks and plot subdivisions is respectively small and frequent (fine grain), or large and infrequent (coarse grain). Urban grain is a key component of defining the character of a place. More of an area, especially in historic areas with smaller older buildings.
- Maps
- Diagrams
- Site visits
- Aerial photography
- Historical records
Are all building types similar design on street or is there variation?
Are the width and height of buildings common or do they vary along street?
Is there symmetry on both sides of the street that creates order?
Do gable roofs repeat along the street and create and ordered structure?
Is there a repetition of other features on the street, such as trees?
Is there architectural features like bay windows that repeat along the street?
Street structure
The amount and size of buildings and plots on blocks
A fine grain of smaller buildings and plots can create greater variety and visual interest at ground floor level. Larger grain blocks can accommodate higher density taller buildings in the correct location. Sensitive design is required when introducing different building footprint sizes and changing the urban grain of an area, especially in historic areas with smaller older buildings.
- Maps
- Diagrams
- Site visits
- Aerial photography
- Historical records
Are streets long or short that impact the length of forward views?
Is there a strong building line or varied set backs that should be followed?
Do prominent corner buildings create identity and aid navigation?
Are streets straight or curved impacting length of views?
Landscape and Nature
Identify where and how landscape has been introduced to public and private land in surrounding area. Learn how to replicate features such as front gardens, street trees and green boundary treatments.
How has green landscape been introduced to the surrounding area?
Studying the local area can give clues to how landscape can be introduced into urban areas.
Site visits or street studies to identify how space is made for landscape which may include front garden areas, space within or side of streets for trees or boundaries.
Are trees used on front boundaries of private properties?
Are trees in the public road area?
Are buildings set back from street to allow for landscape in front gardens?
Are hedgerows used on front boundaries of housing?
Natural Features
Are there natural environmental features in the surrounding area that could positively enhance design?
Studying the local area can give clues to how landscape can be introduced into urban areas.
- Maps
- Diagrams
- Site visits
- Aerial photography
- Historical records
Do buildings orientate to maximise views of water features like canal?
Do buildings surround or enclose natural green features?
Boundaries
How are boundaries treated?
Replicating boundaries in terms of treatment or building line can bring order and structure.
- Maps
- Diagrams
- Site visits
- Aerial photography
- Historical records
Are there built boundary walls?
Is landscape used for boundary treatment?
Built Form and Profile
Understand the dominant patterns in the surrounding built formForm is the three-dimensional shape and modelling of buildings and the spaces they define. Buildings and spaces can take many forms, depending upon their: size and shape in plan; height; bulk – their volume; massing – how bulk is shaped into a form; building lines – the alignment of building frontages along a street; and relationship to the plot boundary – and whether they share party walls or not. In the case of spaces, their form is influenced by the buildings around them. More that can inform new design, particular infill developments that create new blocks or street patterns.
Built form evolution
How has the built environment in the area changed over time?
A wide range of different building types can offer opportunity to introduce new forms and styles without disrupting the overall structure of a place.
- Historical maps
- Aerial photography
- Overlay maps
Using historic maps
Density
Different blocks are suitable for different uses. Smaller blocks allow for more streets and reduced walking distances. Larger blocks can accommodate higher densities and a variety of land uses. Understanding which types of blocks exist can help inform characterCharacter includes all of the elements that go to make a place, how it looks and feels, its geography and landscape, its noises and smells, activity, people and businesses. This character should be understood as a starting point for all development. Character can be understood at three levels; the area type in which the site sits, its surroundings and the features of the site. More and give clues as to which forms are most successful in area.
- Dwellings per hectare
- Floor to area ratio
- People per hectare
- Heat map comparisons
Building Types
Are the building types common or is there a large variety of different types?
A wide range of different building types can offer opportunity to introduce new forms and styles without disrupting the overall structure of a place.
Identify the types of blocks used in the surrounding area. Use aerial photograph to identify the dominant block types in the surrounding area. Use figure ground plans and block plans to compare size, shapes and density.
Are building types all similar?
Are building types varied in area?
Urban Grain
How does the amount and size of buildings and plots on blocks change across the area?
A fine grain of smaller buildings and plots can create greater variety and visual interest at ground floor level. Larger grain blocks can accommodate higher density taller buildings in the correct location. Sensitive design is required when introducing different building footprint sizes and changing the urban grain of an area, especially in historic areas with smaller older buildings.
Use aerial photograph or land ownership plot plans to identify the grain. A figure ground plan that shows only buildings can help identify patterns more easily.
Is there a fine grainThe pattern of the arrangement of street blocks, plots and their buildings in a settlement. The degree to which an area’s pattern of blocks and plot subdivisions is respectively small and frequent (fine grain), or large and infrequent (coarse grain). Urban grain is a key component of defining the character of a place. More of blocks and buildings?
Is the grain of blocks and buildings larger and more coarse?
Using figure ground plans to understand urban grain
Types of blocks
The size, shape and function of urban blocks
Different blocks are suitable for different uses. Smaller blocks allow for more streets and reduced walking distances. Larger blocks can accommodate higher densities and a variety of land uses. Understanding which types of blocks exist can help inform character and give clues as to which forms are most successful in area.
- Maps
- Historical maps
- Figure ground plans
- Aerial photograph
- Diagrams
Are suburban residential blocks common?
Are higher density urban terraced housing blocks typical?
Do buildings sit in the middle of standalone commercial blocks?
Variation of built form
Is the surrounding context a rigid singular type of built formForm is the three-dimensional shape and modelling of buildings and the spaces they define. Buildings and spaces can take many forms, depending upon their: size and shape in plan; height; bulk – their volume; massing – how bulk is shaped into a form; building lines – the alignment of building frontages along a street; and relationship to the plot boundary – and whether they share party walls or not. In the case of spaces, their form is influenced by the buildings around them. More or is it varied?
Areas with very rigid patterns of built form will require context sensitive design for infill development. Places where forms are not rigid offer more flexibility for introduction of new built forms.
- Site visitis
- Maps
- Historical maps
- Figure ground plans
- Aerial photograph
- Diagrams
Is the built formForm is the three-dimensional shape and modelling of buildings and the spaces they define. Buildings and spaces can take many forms, depending upon their: size and shape in plan; height; bulk – their volume; massing – how bulk is shaped into a form; building lines – the alignment of building frontages along a street; and relationship to the plot boundary – and whether they share party walls or not. In the case of spaces, their form is influenced by the buildings around them. More rigid and regular?
Is there a wide variation in built formForm is the three-dimensional shape and modelling of buildings and the spaces they define. Buildings and spaces can take many forms, depending upon their: size and shape in plan; height; bulk – their volume; massing – how bulk is shaped into a form; building lines – the alignment of building frontages along a street; and relationship to the plot boundary – and whether they share party walls or not. In the case of spaces, their form is influenced by the buildings around them. More?
Building Heights
How do building heights change in the local area or is there a strict uniform height throughout all buildings?
Increasing density and height can be difficult in many areas, so an existing context of varied building heights can provide potentially more flexibility to create visually appropriate taller buildings.
- Maps
- Historical maps
- Site visits
- Aerial photograph
- Diagrams
Is there a strict height conformity amongst buildings in area?
Are building heights very different in the surrounding area?
Roofscape
Do roofs follow a common design and pattern along the street?
Roof styles are important in forming the structure and pattern on streets
- Site visits
- Aerial photograph
- Diagrams
Common roof types
Varied roof types
