Project Visual Context

Best Results: Run after project kick-off, before major design/construction phases

How the Skill Works

The skill operates in 3 phases over a single session:

1. Exterior Context — Gather site setting, terrain, adjacent structures, vegetation, climate, orientation, construction status
2. Interior Design Intent — Gather design character, color palette, finishes, furniture, and special features by room type
3. Photo Documentation — Process uploaded site/inspiration photos with AI analysis

At the end, the skill generates visual-context.json saved to AI - Project Brain/ folder.

Starting the Skill

Initial Setup

When you trigger /site-context:

1. The skill checks if visual-context.json already exists

   • If EXISTS: Load it and ask "What would you like to update? (exterior / interior / photos / all)" → Jump to incremental update workflow
   • If NEW: Proceed with full interview below

2. The skill auto-populates data from existing project files:

   • project-config.json → project_code, building type, address, occupancy
   • plans-spatial.json → room types, areas, dimensions, door schedule
   • specs-quality.json → finish schedule, material specs, casework specs
   • schedule.json → current phase
   • directory.json → architect, owner contacts (for design preferences)

Pre-populated data is shown to the user for confirmation/correction.

Phase 1: Exterior Context

Step 1.1: Confirm Building Basics

Display pre-populated data:

Project: [project_code]
Address: [address]
Building Type: [type] ([occupancy] occupants)
Building Size: [SF]
Current Phase: [phase from schedule]

Ask: "Are these details correct? (yes/no/edit)"

If user edits, update the displayed values.

Step 1.2: Setting Type

Ask: "What best describes the site setting?"

• Rural — farmland, open countryside, minimal nearby structures
• Suburban — residential neighborhoods, scattered commercial, green space
• Urban — dense development, city block, multiple adjacent buildings, minimal green
• Industrial — manufacturing area, warehouses, commercial corridors, paved surfaces
• Campus — institutional grounds (hospital, university, corporate), multiple buildings with open space
• Mixed — combination of above characteristics

Capture response.

Step 1.3: Terrain Description

Ask: "Describe the terrain around the building:"

• Flat — level ground
• Sloping/Rolling — gentle elevation changes
• Hillside — significant elevation change, building may be cut into slope
• Valley — building in low point
• Elevated/Promontory — building on high ground

Ask for any additional details (e.g., "hillside with rock outcrops," "flat cleared site in forest").

Capture response.

Step 1.4: Adjacent Structures

Ask: "Describe buildings/structures adjacent to this site in each direction:"

For each cardinal direction (North, South, East, West):

• Type of adjacent structure (residential, commercial, industrial, open land, water, etc.)
• Distance (immediate neighbor, across street, far away)
• Height relative to this building (taller, similar, shorter)
• Any notable features (parking lots, vegetation screening, etc.)

Capture responses for each direction.

Step 1.5: Vegetation & Landscaping

Ask: "Describe existing vegetation on or near the site:"

• Types of trees (deciduous, conifer, mixed)
• Density (sparse, scattered, dense forest)
• Ground cover (grass, shrubs, bare soil, paved)
• Any significant vegetation to be preserved or removed

Ask: "Is landscaping planned for this project? (yes/no/unknown)"

If yes: "Describe the landscaping intent" (e.g., "native plantings, bioswale screening to south, street trees along entry drive")

Capture responses.

Step 1.6: Climate & Season

Ask: "Select the climate zone for this location:"

Display options based on address (or ask user):

• Four-season (temperate) — spring, summer, fall, winter
• Mild winter — cool season, rarely freezes, year-round green
• Tropical — warm, high humidity, distinct wet/dry seasons
• Arid/Desert — dry, minimal precipitation, extreme temperature swings
• Mediterranean — warm dry summer, cool wet winter
• Monsoon — distinct rainy season, dry season

Capture response.

Ask: "What is the region/zone?" (e.g., "USDA Zone 6a," "Sonoran Desert," "Pacific Northwest")

Ask: "For rendering purposes, which season best represents this project?"

• Spring (greening, fresh, moderate light)
• Summer (full foliage, bright, warm light)
• Fall (color change, golden light, clear skies)
• Winter (bare trees, diffuse light, snow possible)

Capture response.

Ask: "What is the prevailing weather you expect to show in renderings?" (e.g., "clear skies," "partly cloudy," "dramatic storm clouds," "morning fog")

Capture response.

Step 1.7: Building Orientation

Ask: "Which direction does the main entry face?" (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW)

Ask: "Which elevation faces north?" (e.g., "long side," "short side," "corner")

Ask: "Where is parking located?" (e.g., "south and east," "detached lot to north," "below building")

Ask: "Describe the sun path in your region during the default season you selected" (e.g., "low southern sun, dramatic shadows," "high overhead sun, minimal shadows," "strong western afternoon glare")

Capture responses.

Step 1.8: Construction Status

Auto-populate from schedule if available:

Current Phase: [phase]
Expected Visible Work: [construction activities in progress]
Equipment on Site: [cranes, formwork, trailers, etc.]

Ask: "Are these details accurate? Anything to add or correct about the current construction status?"

Capture any corrections.

Step 1.9: Site Photo Upload

Ask: "Would you like to upload site photos for reference? (yes/no)"

If yes:

• Invite user to upload photos in these categories:
  • Aerial view — drone/satellite view of site
  • Street level — approach view from public street
  • Adjacent contexts — nearby structures, street context
  • Terrain — ground conditions, slopes, drainage
  • Vegetation — trees, landscaping, ground cover
  • Current conditions — construction progress, existing site conditions
  • Interior reference — existing spaces for design intent

For each uploaded photo:

• Capture filename and category
• Use AI vision to analyze and generate description (e.g., "Mature oak trees lining the south property line, 40+ feet tall, dense canopy. Open lawn area extends north toward building site.")
• Store in visual-context.json

Ask: "Any other details about the exterior/site context we should capture?" (free-form text)

Capture response.

End of Phase 1

Summarize exterior context to user:

EXTERIOR CONTEXT SUMMARY
Setting: [type]
Terrain: [description]
Adjacent (N/S/E/W): [cardinal descriptions]
Vegetation: [description]
Climate: [zone/region/seasons]
Building Faces: [direction] | Entry: [direction]
Parking: [location]
Photos Uploaded: [count]

Ask: "Ready to proceed to Interior Design Intent?" (yes/continue)

Phase 2: Interior Design Intent

Step 2.1: Design Character

Ask: "What is the design character of this project?"

Display options and explain:

• warm_residential — comfortable, residential aesthetic, lived-in feeling
• modern — clean lines, minimalist, contemporary materials
• clinical — healthcare/lab aesthetic, hygienic, functional, bright
• hospitality — hotel/restaurant aesthetic, welcoming, refined, service-oriented
• institutional — public building aesthetic, durable, formal, rule-based
• industrial — factory/warehouse aesthetic, raw materials, exposed systems
• corporate — office aesthetic, professional, polished, branded
• educational — school/university aesthetic, flexible, inspiring, activity-focused
• retail — commercial aesthetic, product-focused, dynamic, customer-facing

Capture response.

Step 2.2: Color Palette

Ask: "Describe the primary color for the interior" (e.g., "warm gray," "soft white," "warm beige," "sage green," "charcoal blue")

Ask: "What is the secondary color?" (e.g., "light gray," "warm cream," "natural wood tone," "accent blue")

Ask: "What is the accent color for highlights and features?" (e.g., "warm copper," "deep teal," "warm orange," "muted sage")

Ask: "Do you have inspiration photos or color references? (yes/no)"

If yes:

• Invite user to upload reference images
• Store filenames in color_palette.reference_images

Capture all color responses.

Step 2.3: Materials by Room Type

Load room types from plans-spatial.json (e.g., "Bedroom," "Common Area," "Kitchen," "Restroom," "Corridor," "Mechanical," etc.)

For each major room type, ask:

"For [Room Type] spaces, please provide:"

Flooring

Ask: "What flooring material?" (e.g., "polished concrete," "ceramic tile," "luxury vinyl plank," "natural wood," "rubber")

Ask: "What finish/color?" (e.g., "light gray," "warm oak," "matte," "polished")

Walls

Ask: "How are walls finished?" (e.g., "painted gypsum board," "tile wainscot + paint," "wood paneling," "exposed CMU," "vinyl wallcovering")

Ask: "What color/material?" (e.g., "soft white," "warm gray," "natural wood tone")

Ceiling

Ask: "What is the ceiling type?" (e.g., "gypsum board," "suspended acoustic tile," "exposed structure," "open beam," "coffered," "drop ceiling")

Ask: "What color/finish?" (e.g., "bright white," "light gray," "natural wood," "black exposed steel")

Base

Ask: "What base/trim material and finish?" (e.g., "painted wood base," "cove base rubber," "natural wood trim," "anodized aluminum")

Casework / Millwork

Only ask if applicable for room type (e.g., yes for kitchens, bathrooms, offices; no for open corridors)

Ask: "Describe casework, cabinets, built-ins" (e.g., "natural wood cabinetry, soft-close drawers, open shelving in entry," "stainless steel shelving in prep area")

Countertops

Only ask if applicable (kitchens, bathrooms, nursing stations)

Ask: "What countertop material and finish?" (e.g., "quartz counters, white," "solid surface, warm gray," "stainless steel," "sealed wood")

Hardware Finish

Ask: "What is the hardware finish?" (e.g., "polished chrome," "brushed nickel," "bronze," "oil-rubbed bronze," "stainless steel")

Furniture & Fixtures

Ask: "Describe the furniture style for [Room Type]" (e.g., "modern minimalist," "warm residential," "clinical institutional," "hospitality-grade")

Ask: "Any special features or equipment?" (e.g., "picture rails," "display niches," "accent lighting," "accent wall," "window seat," "fireplace")

Step 2.4: Brand Standards & Owner Preferences

Ask: "Are there brand standards, owner preferences, or design guidelines we should know about?" (yes/no/text)

If yes: "Please describe" (e.g., "Must use warm wood tones," "Specific furniture brand," "Accessible/universal design priorities," "Sustainable materials preference")

Capture response.

Step 2.5: Special Notes

Ask: "Any special design notes or unique features to capture?" (free-form text)

Examples:

• "Historic renovation — preserve original exposed beams"
• "High-end hospitality — luxury finishes throughout"
• "Adaptable spaces — movable walls and flexible furniture"
• "Daylit atrium — important focal point"
• "Outdoor living emphasis — indoor-outdoor flow"

Capture response.

End of Phase 2

Summarize interior design to user:

INTERIOR DESIGN SUMMARY
Character: [type]
Color Palette: [primary] / [secondary] / [accent]
Room Types Documented: [count]
Brand/Owner Notes: [yes/no]
Special Features: [summary]

Ask: "Ready to proceed to Photo Documentation?" (yes/continue)

Extended reference: Detailed examples, templates, scoring rubrics, and best practices are in references/skill-detail.md.