Massing study
A massing study is an architectural assessment of how much building mass a plot can carry within the applicable regulatory and physical limits. The study translates the planning provisions, permitted plot ratio, maximum building height, building lines, height rules, parking norm, requirements for outdoor amenity space, sun angle and sight conditions, into concrete 3D volumes placed on the plot. The result is one or more development options, each shown as simple cubist architecture ("massing sketches") that let the developer, the municipality and the neighbours quickly judge the scale and how the project sits in its surroundings.
A typical massing study contains a short regulatory summary, two to five different massing options (varied storey counts, footprints and orientation), 3D models in ArcGIS Urban or a similar tool, BTA and UFA calculations per option, a short assessment of sight lines and shadow cast on neighbouring buildings, and an assessment of which options are technically and legally possible without triggering the need for a dispensation. The study is often done early in the feasibility study or as preparation for a planning initiative or a preliminary dialogue with the municipality.
The massing study differs from a fully developed project proposal in several ways. It is volumetric, not architectural: facades, materials and the distribution of functions are not the focus. It tests hypotheses rather than preparing decisions: the intention is to test what the plot can take, not to propose one specific solution. And it is brief, typically 8 to 25 pages of clean visualisations, while an impact assessment report can run to more than 200 pages. The cost is normally between 75,000 and 250,000 NOK in consultancy fees.
For the municipality, a good massing study is a useful discussion tool in start-up meetings. It lets the case officer ask concrete questions about scale ("will this cast shadow on the neighbour's outdoor space?") and so avoid planning work that starts from unrealistic premises. For the developer, the study reduces the risk of late regulatory adjustments that require a full redesign. A massing study that shows an option triggers the need for a dispensation is far cheaper to discover early than after detailed design has started.
In Placepoint you can combine zoning plans, building types, existing buildings, 3D models of the neighbourhood and heights from the matrikkel as input data for a massing study. That gives a shared 3D basis for the discussion with the municipality, the neighbours and investors.
How the dataset appears in the map
The dataset is part of the map layer Property as Cadastre – Property Map:
From Placepoint's dictionary: Massing study
More information: Plan- og bygningsetaten Oslo: Guides, Norske arkitekters landsforbund (NAL), DiBK: Technical building requirements (TEK17)
English: Massing study / volumetric feasibility study.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a massing study and a feasibility study?
The feasibility study is broader and includes economics, market, financing, risk and a go/no-go recommendation. The massing study focuses on the physical side: how much building mass the plot can take within the zoning. The massing study is often one of several sub-layers within a feasibility study.
How long does a massing study take?
Typically 2 to 6 weeks from order to finished delivery, depending on the complexity of the plot and the number of options to be modelled. Complex city-centre plots with strict height limits and sight requirements need more iterations than simple development plots on flat terrain.
Which tools do the architects use?
ArcGIS Urban, Rhino + Grasshopper, Spacemaker and similar 3D tools that let the architect generate and compare many massing options quickly. They often import matrikkel data, existing buildings, elevation data from Kartverket and sun path analyses to make fast qualitative and quantitative comparisons.
Can the massing study be used as a planning proposal?
No. It tests hypotheses and is volumetric, and it does not contain detailed planning provisions, a plan map or an impact assessment. It forms a basis for the further planning work, but the planning proposal itself is a considerably more comprehensive document.