The purpose of a measured or topographical survey is to provide architects with an accurate representation of a site and its existing features so that renovation and refurbishment projects can be carried out with guaranteed accuracy.
While topographical surveys are not particularly complex to carry out, they play a very important role when it comes to giving a project a green light. Since landscape architects work with and around existing land conditions and subsurface features, it is often beneficial to have an underground utility survey alongside a topographical survey. These individual surveys build on top on one another to produce a detailed, scaled representation of all site features. Surveys are delivered as 2D or 3D CAD drawings or as BIM ready 3D survey models.
What does a topographical survey consist of?
A topographical survey provides accurate data on the site’s contours, slopes and other physical characteristics. This information is fundamental for understanding the site’s natural features and drainage patterns. It allows landscape architects to assess the site’s suitability for different design elements and identify potential challenges or opportunities.
A topographical survey will show all natural and manmade features including all existing buildings showing door and window positions, internal finished floor levels, damp course levels and any services fixed externally. This will allow the landscape architect planning to carry out a renovation project to ensure that the new design will line up properly.
. The survey will include the location and size of trees, which are important to any landscape design for considering tree canopies which may affect open spaces, for screening and shading, analysing tree condition and planning for any tree removal
Another element crucial to the design and planning process is the position and heights of neighbouring buildings. This is useful information as a landscape architect can understand the spatial relationship between the site and its immediate surroundings. In some cases where neighboring buildings have overlooking windows, survey information can help architects design around this so that views will not be obstructed.
What are the challenges of carrying out a topographical survey?
If a site is very overgrown with bushes, hedges and other natural features, it can make the task of carrying out a topographical survey a challenging one. Not only will boundary lines be difficult to identify, the size of the property will be hard to calculate which can lead to inaccurate measurements and construction work being carried out.
There is also the possibility that some site features might be missed out by the survey, especially if the site concerned particularly overgrown. For this reason it is important architects to operate with a degree of flexibility And maybe consider some site clearance prior to having a survey carried out.
What are the benefits of a topographical survey?
The benefits of having a topographical survey greatly outweigh the challenges. For starters, the chance of project delays and high costs is significantly reduced as potential problems. arising from not having a comprehensive existing site plan are removed.
A topographical survey is a valuable resource for landscape architects as it provides crucial information about the site’s existing conditions. It aids in site analysis, design integration, landscape planning, vegetation analysis, water management, access planning, visualization, and construction documentation. Utilising a topographical survey allows landscape architects to create well-informed and site-responsive designs that maximise the site’s potential while considering environmental factors and functionality.
Terrain Surveys have quite the breadth of experience when it comes to carrying out measured surveys. We have worked on sites ranging from an industrial unit to hospitals and domestic properties, so you can rest assured that any measured survey we carry out will be done so to the highest level of quality and accuracy possible. Every construction project deserves to have a confident start, and our team is dedicated to delivering this confidence to every client we work with. Get in touch today by emailing us at enquiries@terrainsurveys.co.uk or give us a call on 01438841300. Or alternatively send us an enquiry on our contact page and a member of our team will get back to you soon.
