How do you showcase site analysis and inventory in your portfolio?

1 Use diagrams and maps

Diagrams and maps are powerful tools to communicate your site analysis and inventory. They can help you illustrate the spatial, environmental, social, and historical aspects of the site, such as topography, hydrology, vegetation, land use, circulation, views, and heritage. You can use different types of diagrams and maps, such as bubble diagrams, overlay maps, contour maps, flow diagrams, and analysis matrices, to highlight different layers of information and show how they relate to each other. Make sure you use a consistent color scheme, scale, and legend to make your diagrams and maps easy to read and compare.

2 Include photos and sketches

Photos and sketches can complement your diagrams and maps by providing a visual representation of the site. They can help you capture the mood, atmosphere, and quality of the site, as well as the details, textures, and patterns that make it unique. You can use photos and sketches to show the existing conditions of the site, the views from and to the site, the seasonal changes, and the potential design interventions. Make sure you select photos and sketches that are relevant, clear, and well-lit, and annotate them with captions or notes to explain what they show.

3 Organize your layout and content

The layout and content of your site analysis and inventory should be organized and coherent, so that your audience can follow your logic and reasoning. You can use a grid system, headings, subheadings, and labels to structure your layout and content. You can also use a hierarchy of information, such as summary, detail, and appendix, to guide your audience through your site analysis and inventory. Make sure you use a consistent font, size, and style to make your layout and content legible and professional.

4 Tell a story

Your site analysis and inventory should not be just a collection of data and facts, but a story that reveals the potential and challenges of the site. You can use a narrative approach to tell your story, such as setting the scene, identifying the problem, exploring the alternatives, and proposing the solution. You can also use a theme or a concept to unify your story, such as sustainability, identity, or resilience. Make sure you use a clear and concise language to tell your story, and avoid jargon and technical terms that might confuse your audience.

5 Get feedback

Before you finalize your site analysis and inventory, it is always a good idea to get feedback from others, such as your peers, mentors, or clients. They can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your site analysis and inventory, and suggest ways to improve it. You can ask them specific questions, such as how well they understand your site analysis and inventory, what they find most interesting or surprising, and what they think is missing or unclear. Make sure you listen to their feedback with an open mind, and incorporate it into your site analysis and inventory as appropriate.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?