Framework for Basic Site Analysis
ground plane
topography or "lay of the land" (section--a vertical slice through the ground plane)
substrata, historical and geological
materials (artificial or natural, a.k.a. "hard" or "soft")
organization or layout
axes (pathways, sight lines)
circulation (human movement patterns)
edge
depth (abrupt or gradual?)
height (or scale, relative to human figure)
subdivision or arrangement of elements (such as building stories and fenestration, plantings)
materials (artificial, natural)
integrity (degree of closure: continuous or interrupted edges?)
plan shape (shape of ground plan defined by edges)
contents/objects within
sculpture (its nature and placement)
water features (pools, fountains, waterfalls)
furniture (benches, lamposts, receptacles, etc.)
plantings (their nature, number and disposition