Site Context Mapping with Dynamic Symbols in SketchUp – Fast & Flexible Diagramming
Why Site Context Mapping Is Important
Every project begins with a place — and understanding that place is essential to designing something meaningful.
Site Context Mapping is the process of identifying and visualizing what surrounds your project site: adjacent buildings, roads, open spaces, traffic, public infrastructure, views, and even local activities.
Without a clear context diagram, your design risks becoming isolated or disconnected.
With the right tools, creating one can be quick, precise, and visually compelling.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how I created a Site Context Map using only SketchUp, the Sun Diagram plugin, and a file of Dynamic Symbols.
Tools Used in the Diagram
To build the diagram shown in this post, I used two key tools inside SketchUp:
Sun Diagram (SketchUp Plugin):
This plugin lets you generate accurate sun path and shadow analysis for any time and date. It helps visualize how sunlight affects the site and nearby buildings — essential for context awareness and passive design decisions.
User guide for Sun Diagram is available here: https://sundiagram.com/sun-diagram
- Dynamic Symbols (SketchUp Plugin):
Dynamic Symbols is a SketchUp plugin that allows you to create animated symbols and switch between different states with just one click.
User guide for Dynamic Symbols is available here: https://sundiagram.com/dynamic-symbols/
- Both tools are designed to speed up the diagramming process while keeping your presentation clear and professional.
Step-by-Step Guide: Create Architectural Diagrams Using SketchUp
Benefits of This Workflow
Efficient: Built entirely in SketchUp, from modeling to layout
Editable: Symbols and layers stay dynamic and reusable
Professional: Great for reports, permits, or design presentations
Visual: Helps clients and stakeholders immediately understand the site’s context
Download project files
You can download the project file from the link:
Or
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Final Thoughts
Understanding the surrounding context is not just a technical step — it’s where good design begins.
By combining Sun Diagram and Dynamic Symbols in SketchUp, you can build strong, clear, and compelling diagrams with minimal effort.
Use this method early in your process to unlock deeper design thinking — and communicate it with confidence.
More templates and workflow guides coming soon!