Site Plan

Term from Architecture industry explained for recruiters

A Site Plan is a detailed drawing or map that shows how a piece of land will be developed. Think of it as a bird's-eye view drawing that shows where buildings, parking lots, trees, and other features will be placed on a property. Architects and designers create these plans to help everyone involved in a project understand how the final development will look and function. It's like a blueprint for the outdoor spaces of a project, showing both existing features and proposed changes. These drawings are essential for getting building permits and helping construction teams understand what needs to be built where.

Examples in Resumes

Developed Site Plan for 50,000 sq ft commercial development project

Created detailed Site Plans and Site Layout drawings for residential complexes

Led team in preparing Site Planning documents for municipal approval

Typical job title: "Site Planners"

Also try searching for:

Architect Urban Planner Landscape Architect Site Designer Land Planner Planning Consultant Development Designer

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle conflicting requirements between client wishes and local zoning regulations in a site plan?

Expected Answer: A senior planner should discuss their experience in finding creative solutions that satisfy both client needs and regulatory requirements, mentioning specific examples of successful compromises and the importance of early stakeholder communication.

Q: How do you incorporate sustainability features into your site planning?

Expected Answer: Should explain how they consider environmental factors like natural drainage, solar orientation, existing vegetation, and green building practices, while balancing these with project budget and client requirements.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What key elements do you include in a basic site plan?

Expected Answer: Should mention property boundaries, building locations, parking areas, utilities, landscaping, and circulation paths, while explaining how these elements work together in the overall design.

Q: How do you ensure your site plans comply with local regulations?

Expected Answer: Should discuss their process for reviewing local codes, consulting with authorities, and maintaining checklists of requirements for different jurisdictions.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What software tools do you use for site planning?

Expected Answer: Should be able to name common design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, or Revit, and explain basic functionality for creating site plans.

Q: How do you determine the scale and orientation of a site plan?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic principles of selecting appropriate drawing scales for different project sizes and the importance of indicating north direction and site boundaries.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic drawing and drafting skills
  • Understanding of design software
  • Knowledge of basic zoning requirements
  • Ability to read surveys and existing drawings

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Complex site analysis and planning
  • Understanding of building codes and regulations
  • Project coordination experience
  • Client communication skills

Senior (5+ years)

  • Advanced project management
  • Regulatory compliance expertise
  • Team leadership and mentoring
  • Complex project problem-solving

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of local zoning and building codes
  • Inability to read and interpret land surveys
  • Lack of experience with design software
  • Poor understanding of scale and proportion
  • No experience working with construction documents

Related Terms