Site and context analysis
Quickly understand a site's strengths, weaknesses and urban context — maps, neighborhood info, comparable project references — to kick off a feasibility study or early design.
Without AI
- Collect maps and sources1 h 30
- Read and compare information2 h
- Search comparable references1 h 30
- Write the site synthesis1 h 30
Environ 6 h 30
With AI
- Frame the research question20 min
- Search and enrich site information45 min
- Extract strengths, constraints and unknowns30 min
- Find and classify comparable references30 min
- Review and format the synthesis35 min
Environ 2 h 40
Why this use case
Une analyse de site bien structurée permet d'identifier rapidement les contraintes urbaines, les opportunités spatiales et les sujets à vérifier avant d'engager la conception. Elle donne à l'équipe une base commune pour lancer une étude de faisabilité ou un avant-projet avec des hypothèses explicites.
L'IA réduit le temps consacré à la recherche dispersée et à la première synthèse des cartes, données de quartier et références comparables. Elle accélère le cadrage, mais chaque information importante doit être vérifiée dans les sources officielles et confrontée à une visite du site.
Process steps
Define the site analysis scope
20 minSpecify the address, project program, scale of observation and questions to answer: access, mobility, urban fabric, uses, landscape, nuisances, risks and missing information.
Research the site and its neighborhood
AI-assisted45 minUse AI web search to gather publicly available information on the neighborhood, transport, amenities, recent projects and visible urban characteristics. Keep the source links and distinguish reported facts from interpretations.
Build the strengths and constraints matrix
AI-assisted30 minSynthesize the collected material into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, constraints and open questions. Link each conclusion to a source or mark it as a hypothesis requiring confirmation.
Find comparable project references
AI-assisted30 minSearch for built or documented projects with comparable context, program, density, access or landscape conditions. Classify what is transferable and what is specific to the reference.
Review and turn the analysis into a working brief
AI-assisted35 minCheck the synthesis against the original sources, add the results of the site visit and format a concise working document with key findings, assumptions, questions and next actions.
Prompts
Tools used
Perplexity
Steps 2 and 4AI web research
Key takeaway : Ask for source links and dates, then open the original pages before using a fact in the study.
ChatGPT
Steps 1 and 5Structuring and synthesis
Key takeaway : Provide the collected notes and source excerpts; do not ask it to infer missing site facts.
Claude
Step 3Long-form document synthesis
Key takeaway : Use a fixed matrix structure so strengths, constraints and unknowns remain comparable between sites.
Limitations
No regulatory validation
The workflow does not establish zoning rights, planning compliance, easements, legal constraints or buildable floor area. These points require current official documents and professional verification.
No substitute for a site visit
Web sources and maps can miss noise, odors, microclimate, pedestrian behavior, actual access conditions and building conditions visible on site.
References are not ready-made solutions
Comparable projects help formulate hypotheses, but their structure, budget, regulations, climate and client requirements may differ substantially from the site under study.
Source and date checking remain essential
AI-generated summaries may omit context, mix sources or repeat outdated information. Keep a traceable source list and review every conclusion before sharing it with the client.
