MOHAMED SATHAK A. J.
ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE
Approved by Council of Architecture & affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
34, Old Mahabalipuram Road, IT Highway, Egattur – 603103
Arch. Design IV - 2017
CASE STUDY ANALYSIS - APPROACH:
Actual (live) case studies – Minimum 1
Literature/Net case studies – Minimum 1
Eleven most important things to analyze in any Case Study:
1. Environment and micro-climate
Analyzing the surrounding environment and the micro-climate of that place will help understand the
reason of the orientation of the structure, the kind of roof chosen and the materials used in its
construction.
2. User behavior and requirements.
Studying the functioning of a particular place.
3. Utility and space enhancement
Study of Utilitarian facilities of a particular case is also important. Various measures taken to enhance a
particular space should be analyzed.
4. Form and Function
Analyzing the reason behind the form of that particular building…and how it merges with the
surrounding environment.
5. Horizontal and Vertical circulation
Horizontal circulation consists of elements such as the corridors and lobbies. Vertical circulation includes
elevators, staircases, ramps etc. The efficiency of the placement of these services should be analyzed.
6. Site Planning and Landscape detailing
7. Structural details such as Column and Beam Design, Steel and Composite structures
Understanding and analyzing the structural details is also important.
8. Building Services such as Fire Alarm system, HVAC, Water supply systems
The working of Fire Alarm system, HVAC and Water supply systems should be examined and their space
requirements are to be analyzed.
9. Design detailing considering the Barrier-free environment
Implementation of the Barrier-free architecture for comfortable access to disabled people.
10. Socio-economic profile of user group
It might also be important to find out the socio-economic profile of the people using the services so as to
determine their requirements and available resources.
11. Parking details and standards
Measure the allotted parking area on site, say for ten cars, then calculate the average area for each car
and compare it with the areas specified in DCR
1|Page Year 3/ Semester 5/ Section C
MOHAMED SATHAK A. J. ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE
Approved by Council of Architecture & affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
34, Old Mahabalipuram Road, IT Highway, Egattur – 603103
Arch. Design IV - 2017
Before you think that you are done with the case study, check. Check twice that you have all the
information that will help you analyze the building and also give you the whole picture. Check if you
have touched upon all important aspects of the building / campus.
Some of these are listed below, in no particular order:
1. Site (Location, topography, access and shape,)
2. Climate (Micro and macro both)
3. List of various activities being performed.
4. Form
5. Colour, texture (finishes) and light
6. Circulation / movement patterns, for both vehicles and pedestrians
7. Articulation of spaces and forms
8. Orientation w.r.t climate, function, view, access or any other
9. User details (demographics of active users and passive users)
10. Approach to site / building- Entry/ exit
11. Zoning (primary spaces, secondary spaces, tertiary spaces, connections like passages, corridors,
transition spaces)
12. Structure, materials used
13. Technologies involved in construction and Installations(cctv etc)
14. Services (Plumbing, lighting, HVAC, STP. WTP, Transformer,Power bckups- generator rooms/
security rooms and installations, Waste disposal – garbage chute etc .)
15. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic
Along with the above said also explore on details specific to apartment design which might vary or
be project specific like Neighborhood,/ Concept if any /Community spaces/interactive space/Green
spaces/Parking/Spatial planning/Amenities/ open space reservations/ circulation core /linkage
between blocks / Merits /Demerits etc..
Once you have verified and ensured that the required information has been collected, move to the
Analysis Part - which focuses on answering many WHYs and finding out reasons for some design
decisions. Ask as many questions as possible, even basic ones and write down the answers which
provide The Inference Data. Support answers with photographs or sketches if necessary.
There you start with your design exercise, which has to be one step ahead of case study you have just
finished.
2|Page Year 3/ Semester 5/ Section C
MOHAMED SATHAK A. J. ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE
Approved by Council of Architecture & affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
34, Old Mahabalipuram Road, IT Highway, Egattur – 603103
Arch. Design IV - 2017
CASE STUDY – ANALYSIS - CHECK LIST
1. CONTEXT
a. Site and surroundings
i. Physical characteristics,
ii. Man made features,
iii. Natural features,
iv. Visual features,
v. Climatic analysis,
vi. Implications of existing land use,
vii. Traffic & transportation systems and
viii. Status of physical infrastructure and landscape characteristics
b. Culture
i. Needs of users
ii. Influence of cultural practices on Architecture
2. PROGRAM
a. Spaces
b. Primary function,
c. Secondary function,
d. Open-closed spaces,
e. Ancillary spaces and their requirements
f. Standards (Development control rules, space standards)
3. ANALYSIS OF DESIGN
a. Architect’s intent
b. Effect of context
c. Relevance of culture to architectural programme
d. Implementation of program
e. Organization of spaces
f. Relationship between spaces and connectivity
g. Services
3|Page Year 3/ Semester 5/ Section C
MOHAMED SATHAK A. J. ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE
Approved by Council of Architecture & affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
34, Old Mahabalipuram Road, IT Highway, Egattur – 603103
Arch. Design IV - 2017
Checklist to arrive at Inferences
4. INFERENCES
a. Quantitative (implementation of standards, programme, space requirements and the
like)
b. Qualitative (Translation of architects intent, experiential views on design)
5. Note-
a. Studies and analysis should be supported by relevant drawings, data, Sketches and
Photographs.
b. Questionnaires and surveys conducted should be submitted to support analysis and
inferences drawn
c. Interviews with concerned architect and the client preferable.
4|Page Year 3/ Semester 5/ Section C
