TM5-803-14
CHAPTER 5
SITE DESIGN
5-1. General.
(b) Provide the location of drives for emer-
gency and service vehicles.
Site design:
(c) Locate required gates or vehicle search
a. Locates primary and support facilities on site
areas.
and addresses both positive and negative site
(d) Separate vehicular circulation and park-
concerns which will impact development through
ing.
the preparation of the sketch site plan.
(e) Locate parking areas and orient them
b. Details facilities on site and develops specific
towards facilities.
methods for dealing with site concerns through the
(f) Locate drop-off areas and/or waiting ar-
concept site plan.
eas for buses.
5-2. Concept Development.
(3) Pedestrian Circulation. The plan should:
(a) Establish pedestrian paths along antici-
Site design begins by continuing concept devel-
pated desire lines.
opment through the preparation of sketch site
(b) Identify expected areas of pedestrian
plans and concept site plans. In each step, alterna-
tives may be explored and evaluated to arrive at
concentration.
the optimal design. The site design guidelines
(c) Suggest methods of handling these areas,
discussed in chapter 4 should form the basis of the
from widening of paths to development of court-
evaluation. The level of detail which is prepared
yards.
for each step will depend on the size and complex-
(4) Grading and Drainage. The plan should:
(a) Set the initial finished floor elevations
ity of the project, but the general procedures listed
for all buildings.
below should be followed for every design.
(b) Identify means other than grading neces-
5-3. Sketch Site Plan.
sary to maintain positive drainage around the
The sketch plan refines the preferred spatial rela-
building(s).
(c) Determine approximate grades for the
tionships diagram. The sketch site plan shows the
initial design of the facilities and site at scale. It
drives and parking areas.
begins to address the site in detail. Buildings,
(d) Identify critical elevations (e.g., low
points which could produce ponding or elevations
roads, parking areas, and other structural ele-
ments assume form and definition in relation to
on existing trees which are to be saved.)
the site elements. The sketch site plan is still
geographically loose, usually free-hand, but is
ing areas of sheet flow and swales, to determine if
drawn to scale.
it can be maintained.
a. Principal Considerations. The sketch site plan
should address the following principal consider-
the site cannot accommodate the increased runoff.
(g) Delineate areas requiring erosion con-
ations:
(1) Buildings. The plan should:
trol.
(5) Energy Conservation. The plan should:
(a) Define recognizable shapes for facilities.
(b) Clearly identify extrances.
(a) Note climatic conditions which can be
(c) Establish a building orientation which
improved or enhanced.
(b) Identify potential locations for wind-
addresses energy conservation needs (based on a
solar study), access to other facilities, and visibil-
breaks, shade walls, etc.
(6) Utilities. The plan should:
ity.
(d) Mass buildings to define outdoor space
(a) Identify access points and connecting
routes to existing utilities.
when there is more than one building or a new
(b) Establish requirements for upgrading ex-
building is introduced into an area with other
existing structures.
isting systems.
(7) Physical Security. The plan should:
(2) Vehicular Circulation and Parking. The
(a) Locate special physical security require-
plan should:
(a) Provide the general location of the ac-
ments (e.g., search areas and the serpentine layout
cess drive.
of access drives.)
5-1
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