In Indian temple architecture, there’s a fascinating way of looking at this. When we pause to observe, we find uncanny parallels between the way energy flows through the human body—and how it's channelled through sacred structures. Think about chakras, those spinning wheels of energy described in yogic traditions. Now imagine aligning those centres with the temple layout—from the garbhagriha at the core to the tall gopuram at the threshold.

Mapping Chakras in Temple Architecture: Spatial Symbols of Sacred Design


Explore 4 effective ways to arrange building blocks on contoured land, from terraced layouts to split-level planning. Learn essential architectural techniques to design effectively on sloped terrains. Ideal for architecture students and young professionals aiming to master contour-based design strategies and improve their understanding of topography and slope-responsive architecture.

Planning on Sloped Site: 4 Ways to Place Buildings on Contours

Modelling your ideas shouldn’t feel like a battle, because knowing your tools is as important as knowing your design. The truth is that anything that feels tedious in SketchUp or any other software can often be simplified. Even complex modelling can feel simple, with the right plugins. Here's a quick, beginner-friendly guide to make SketchUp work smarter for you



Tired of Tedious Modelling? Make It Effortless With This Beginner’s Guide to SketchUp Plugins

Did you ever dream of being an architect who codes and crafts, blends nature with tech, and refuses to choose between creativity and credibility? Join the hybrid wave.



Why the future of architecture is wild, grounded, and unapologetically hybrid.

In the fast-changing world of 3D visualisation tools, Lumion remains the preferred option for architects and designers as of 2025. Despite the many rendering software alternatives like Enscape, Twinmotion, and Unreal Engine available, Lumion distinguishes itself through its intuitive interface and outstanding results, making it easy to use even for newcomers. 

Why is Lumion Still the Go-To for Architects & Designers in 2025?


When you think of architecture, do you think beyond buildings? Do you dream of saving forests, building with mud, protecting animals, reviving lost heritage, or designing spaces that truly care for the planet and its people? If yes, this blog is for you. If you're someone who asks “What problem do I want to solve?” before asking “What firm should I join?”, you’re already on the path of a visionary designer.

 What Kind of Architect Do You Want to Be?

Explore five essential mud wall construction techniques used in sustainable and vernacular architecture, including rammed earth, framed earth, and 3D printed earth.

Earthen Architecture: Types of Mud Wall Construction Explained

A thorough site analysis isn’t just a checklist,  it’s the foundation of contextual and meaningful architecture. As you walk the land, ask not just "What can I build here?" but also, "What does this place want to become?"

This checklist is your compass, but your curiosity is your guide.

The Ultimate Site Analysis Checklist

Let's first clear up a major confusion most students have:

Site Inventory is about what exists — raw facts and conditions.
Site Analysis is about what you do with that information — how those facts influence your design.

We’ll break down each site factor with this clarity, so you know exactly what to put in your college sheets, for real projects, or competitions.

Understand Site Inventory vs Site Analysis Like a Pro

Before your concept takes shape on tracing paper or Revit, you need to listen to the site — not just observe it. Site visits are more than tick-box surveys; they are immersive experiences that teach you how a space behaves.

But first&nbsp;let's clear a major confusion most students have:

&nbsp; Site Inventory is about what exists, raw facts and conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp; Site Analysis is about what you do with that information and how those facts influence your design.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In this blog, we’ll break down each site factor with this clarity, so you know exactly what to put in your <a href="https://www.kaarwan.com/masterclass/architectural-presentation-sheet-design-photoshop?id=34&amp;utm_source=linkedin&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=%23%3Cblog_the-ultimate-site-analysis-checklist%3E&amp;utm_term=seo">college sheets</a>, real projects, or competitions.

Pro Tip: Walk the neighbourhood on foot, to discover cultural changes, amenities and <a href="https://www.kaarwan.com/resources?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=%23%3Cblog_the-ultimate-site-analysis-checklist%3E&amp;utm_term=seo">hidden treasures</a>. Ask how people move in and out. Take photos from the terraces of nearby buildings for visual context, which helps in orientation and massing studies.

Pro Tip: Spend a full day on-site or return multiple times in different seasons — you'll notice shadows, glare, or heat zones that pure data won’t show.

Illustration showing topography contours being seamlessly imported from Autocad (2d/3d) into Revit, enabling smart, collaborative modelling workflows in architecture and civil design.

Source:<a href="https://www.kaarwan.com/course/advance-revit-bim-certification-course?id=36&amp;utm_source=linkedin&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=%23%3Cblog_the-ultimate-site-analysis-checklist%3E&amp;utm_term=seo"> Revit workspace </a>snipshot Pragya@Kaarwan&nbsp;

Student Tip: Don’t just say "site is sloped". Ask: What will you do with it?

Source: Pragya@Kaarwan, Revit Interface

(Explore how Revit simplifies working with contours, trees snap intelligently to terrain, and building pads with cut-and-fill calculations are just a few clicks away.)

Pro Tip: If it's a campus project, can you create recharge pits that work with soil type and slope? Link your structure to the land.

Student Tip: Sketch a preserve vs prune plan, treat trees as design allies, not obstacles. Explore how you can propose as per your project category.

6. <a href="https://www.kaarwan.com/blog/architecture/legal-and-regulatory-considerations-adaptive-reuse-projects?id=1185&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=%23%3Cblog_the-ultimate-site-analysis-checklist%3E&amp;utm_term=seo">Legal </a>and Zoning Rules

Pro Tip: For <a href="https://www.kaarwan.com/masterclass/architectural-presentation-sheet-design-photoshop?id=34&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=%23%3Cblog_the-ultimate-site-analysis-checklist%3E&amp;utm_term=seo">student work</a>, explain how your design follows or bends the rules with justification.

<a href="https://www.kaarwan.com/masterclass/learn-site-analysis-climate-study-for-easy-design-concepts?id=9&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=%23%3Cblog_the-ultimate-site-analysis-checklist%3E&amp;utm_term=seo">Student Tip</a>: A good design respects, reflects, and revives local culture.

The Ultimate Site Analysis Checklist: Key Factors Every Architect Should Consider

Ar. Pragya Laungani

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Ar. Pragya Laungani

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