Programming, Planning & Practice Flashcards
1-2
What does a net-to-gross ratio measure?
This is the ratio of occupiable space to the total floor area. The total area includes no assignable space such as stairs, toilets, elevators, and corridors.
1-1
What are the FOUR treatment categories cited in “Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties” published by the Secretary of the Interior in 1992?
1 - Preservation
2 - Rehabilitation
3 - Restoration
4 - Reconstruction
1-3
In what kind of document would you find the term “Conditional Use Permit” defined?
A definition for this term, which is often abbreviated as CUP, can be found in a zoning code.
1-8
What are the FOUR basic variables to consider in developing a construction budget?
1 - Time
2 - Quality
3 - Quantity
4 - The total funds available
1-7
What must be shown at a public hearing before a variance can be granted?
Before this can be granted, it must be shown at a public hearing that there are conditions or circumstances unique to the property that would create an undue hardship if all provisions of the zoning code or ordinance were strictly enforced.
1-6
Who planned Paris’s park system of grand boulevards public parks and monuments?
The addition of wide streets, parks and monuments in the city was planned in the 1850s and 1860s by Baron George’s-Eugene Haussmann.
1-5
What is the difference between a project estimate and a construction cost estimate.
A Project Estimate includes the cost of the land, professional fees, moving costs, furniture, equipment, financing costs and all construction costs.
A Construction Cost Estimate includes only site development and building construction costs.
1-4
What is a floor area ratio, or FAR?
FARM is a building’s total floor area divided by the area of its site.
1-9
During the programming phase, what are the TWO most common ways of recording and organizing information about spatial relationships?
1 - Adjacency Matrix
2 - Bubble Diagram
1-10
What are the THREE methods most commonly used for field measuring and recording an historic buildings?
1 - Tape Measure and Sketches
2 - Laser-based measuring device
3 - Photography
1-11
What is a Gantt chart used for?
A type of Bar Chart used to display a project schedule, breaking down the project into separate phases and activities and plotting them against time.
Widely used in managing both design and construction activities.
1-12
Name THREE famous American architects who practiced before the 20th centuries.
1 - Thomas Jefferson
2 - Charles Bulfinch
3 - H.H. Richardson
1-13
Which Architects was considered to be heir-apparent to the “Chicago School” of architecture.
Frank Lloyd Wright
1-14
What aspect of human behavior is demonstrated through the protection of one’s personal space?
This kind of human behavior demonstrates territoriality.
1-15
What kind of corridor is used in a dumbbell circulation pattern
Double-loaded corridor.
1-16
Which occupancy has a greater net-to-gross ratio, a restaurant or a hospital?
Restaurant, because it has less non-assignable space.
1-17
What National Park Service program perseveres the nation’s largest archive of photographs, drawings and written records of historic sites, maintained as a special collection at the Library of Congress?
Historic American Building Survey (HABS)
1-18
What is the particle size of gravel?
Loose rock between 1/12” and 3” in dia.
1-19
What is tax-increment financing, or TIF?
It funds construction of new infrastructure by borrowing against the increased tax revenues expected to result from the improvements and attracts private development to the area by reducing property and other taxes.
1-20
What value is communicated by a corner office compared to an office with a single exterior wall?
Corner offices offer a higher status as compared to their offices on the same floor.
1-21
In the practice of architecture, what is programming?
Defining and analyzing a problem and establishing a few clear problem statements about it.
1-22
What method of analyzing a schedule can provide information on the soonest possible completion date of a project and on which activities are most important to meeting that date?
Critical Path Method (CPM)
1-23
What is the contingency line item in a budget used for?
Unforeseen conditions or changes by the owner?
1-24
In Gothic Architetcure, what element was added to vaults to counteract increased lateral forces?
Flying buttresses were used for this purpose.
1-25
Among the treatment approaches for a historic site, which is considered the most historically accurate?
Preservation
1-25
Which famous architect is associated with the term beton brut (literally, “raw concrete”)?
Le Corbusier
1-27
What kind of circulation pattern do the streets of Boston take?
The streets of Boston (said to be based on old cowpaths) are a good example of a field pattern, a network of nondirectional paths.
1-28
How is a budget arrived at during the schematic design phase?
By estimating the cost of major subsystems.
1-29
What shape of table best promotors cooperation among the seated?
Round tables, which tend to create equality among those seated.
1-30
What is proxemics?
The study of how humans perceive, organize and use space, especially as it pertains to behavior and culture.
1-31
In a project budget, are utility lines considered to be a site development cost or a building cost?
Site development.
1-32
In a critical path analysis chart, what is a dummy?
This is a dashed line that creates a dependency relationship but has no duration.
1-33
In which country was the concept of the “new town” first developed?
Great Britain after World War II
1-34
What style of planning influenced the design of Washington, DC?
Baroque planning, with diagonal and radial streets overlaid on a grid.
1-35
What THREE approaches may be used in assessing the value of a parcel of land?
1 - Market (what would it sell for?)
2 - Income (what income can it produce?)
3 - Cost (what would it cost to replace?)
1-36
What is a drainage easement?
When private land is used for storm water management by a governmental agency.
1-37
What is a bulk plane restriction?
A zoning restriction that prevents a new structure from projecting beyond certain spatial limits. It is used so that the new building does not block air and light from neighboring properties.
1-38
What are the architect’s options if the architect’s fee exceeds the amount budgeted by the owner.
The architect can propose to reduce the scope of the project or the scope of his or her services.
1-39
What are the owner’s obligations if he or she chooses to contract directly with the architect’s consultants.
The owner must assume additional risk and coordinate the work of the consultants.
1-40
What does AIA Document C141 require a consultant to be responsible for?
Accurate production of the consultant’s own drawings and for checking them for consistency.
1-41
How many people are usually involved in informational group interaction?
Studies have shown that 2-4 people are usually present at this type of group setting.
When 5+ people work together, more formalized patterns of leadership, procedure, decision making and conflict resolution begin to appear.
1-42
If peat or another organic soil is found on a building site, what is the likely course of action?
It can not be used to support a building foundation or roadway so it must be removed from the site.
1-43
When and where was the first citywide zoning ordinance adopted in the US?
New York City in 1916
1
Macroclimate vs Microclimate
Macroclimate
The prevailing weather conditions of a region throughout the year and averaged over a number of years. Characterized by general descriptions such as cool, temperate, hot-arid, and hot-humid
Microclimate
The modification of the prevailing weather conditions by site specific features such as bodies of water, hill, trees, paved areas and buildings. A thorough understanding of this modification ca have a profound impact on site development. For example, the architect could locate a new building near a grove of trees in order to take advantage of the wind break or shading effects.
Note that climate is quantitatively described by:
Temperature range and distribution
Hours of daylight
Wind direction and velocity
Amount of relative humidity and precipitation
2 A zoning ordinance would probably include restrictions on which of the following: A - Parking Requirements B - Occupancy Separations C - Parking Requ. and Lot Sizes D - Sound Ratings and Occ. Separations
Parking Requirements & Lot Sizes
Zoning ordinances, originally intended for the protection of property rights, are concerned primarily with land use issues such as the minimum number of parking spaces required or the minimum lot size for a particular use.
Sound Ratings and Occupancy Separations are primarily building code issues which are intended for protection of public health and safety.
3
With regard to site development, what are the architect’s primary concerns?
Pedestrian and vehicular circulation/transportation network.
The disposal or runoff and the effects of surface drainage.
Landscaping
Access to services and public facilities
Natural and artificial lighting
Site access for emergency vehicles
Security
Subsurface Conditions and Topography
- A high or fluctuating water table may cause excavation or foundation problems such as heaving
- Bedrock near the surface may interfere with subsurface construction such as basements or foundations and may add significantly to the cost of construction.
- Unstable soil due to the presence of clay or organic material may require alternative foundation systems or extensive regrading.
4
Non-Conforming Use
A special distinction for buildings that pre-date, or no longer comply with a zoning ordinance, such as a result of recent changes in the code. This type building is allowed to remain in use, but if major alterations are to be made, the building must then satisfy the code requirements
5
The use of bicycles can create many safety concerns. What design solutions can be implemented to avoid a conflict between cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles.
1 - Create a separate bike path; use abandoned railroad tracks, utility easements, etc.
2 - Eliminate street parking and add a designated bike lane/path.
3 - Reduce the speed limit on roads with a bike lane.
4 - Change vehicular traffic from one-way to two-way and add a bike path/lane.
6
Barrier Free
A term applied to spaces, buildings and facilities that are fully accessible to anyone including those who are physically handicapped (See ANSI and ADA Standards)
7 To achieve effective drainage away from a structure, what is the minimum slope for: 1 - A paved area 2 - An underground drainage pipe 3 - A Lawn
1 - 1-1.5% minimum slope for rough paving. A slope of 1% or less will appear flat. Parking areas are sloped between 1% and 5%. Standard slope for a pedestrian oat is 1/4” per foot or approximately a 2% slope. Surface runoff must be directed away from structures to above or below grade disposal systems.
2 - 0.3% min. slope. Drainage lines can be made of clay, concrete or plastic and can be solid or perforated. They should have as few right-angle turns as possible and meet intersections with a “y” angle.
3 - 2% min. slope up to an ideal slope of 4%. While a slope between 2-4% will be visible against a level structure, it is necessary to achieve positive drainage. Steeper slopes may be used though anything over 3:1 or 33.3% creates maintenance issues or may need additional support.
8
Name TWO ways of reducing solar energy gain in a building.
1 - Shading Systems: Louvers, overhangs or baffles incorporated into the design of the building that admit light and views but block direct sunlight and can reduce energy gain by 15% or more.
2 - Locate the building I. The shadow of existing trees (deciduous trees allow insolation in winter months), buildings or topographic features.
9
P.U.D.
Planned Unit Developent
A zoning designation in which parcels of land are developed with a combination of commercial, residential, recreation and civic uses.
Disorganized development lead to the implementation of zoning ordinances that, while separating the use districts, created a monotonous and homogenous environment. The goal of the PUD is to integrate mixed-used and use development and promote a vital and diverse community.
10a
Describe Ahwahnee Prinicples
Ahwahnee Principles: In 1991 at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, several architects presented their collective vision of how urban and suburban planning should follow certain fundamental principles regarding community size, integration, transportation, open space, pedestrian paths, native vegetation, water and energy usage, etc. in addition to local planning issues, they presented regional principles as well as guidelines for governing new growth.
10b
Describe Hanover Principles
For EXPO 2000 at the World’s Fair in Hanover, Germany, William McDonough presented a living document called Design for Sustainability. These guidelines were meant to inform the international design competitions and insure that Fair-related design and construction represented sustainable development. The principles set priorities for sustainability in the built environment and were to be implemented globally.
11 Which part of the Construction Documents allows the owner to tailor the cost of the project? A - Open specifications B - Alternates C - Contingency Allowance D - Addendum
B - Alternates
As part of the bidding documents, alternates require the contractor to provide options in the selection of materials, the level of quality, or the additions/deletion of work. The alternates are reflected in the variation in price from a base bid and give the owner a chance to alter a project in order to control construction cost.
12
When tall buildings act as wind breaks, what condition may be created?
A Vortex
When moving air encounters a building perpendicular to a broad face, it flows both over the roof and down the facade. The air tends to collect at the base of the building which results in a high velocity swirl of wind.
13 Describe 1 - Well-graded soils 2 - Uniformly-graded Soils 3 - Gap-graded soils
1 - Well-graded soils
Has a good representation of all particle sizes, in proportionate quantities, from the largest to the smallest. The smaller particles fill the voids between the larger particles. The proportioning generates stability through increased grain-to-grain contact.
2 - Uniformly-graded Soils
Consists primarily of particles that are all approximately the same size. A type of Poorly Graded Soil.
3 - Gap-graded soils
Consists of both large and small particles but the continuity of gradation is interrupted, typically by the absence of intermediate-sized particles. A type of Poorly Graded Soil
14
How does a monument impact a land survey?
It represents a reference point. Whether it is man-made or natural, its location is recorded as percent landmark.
15 A setback is addressed by which of the following? A - An Easement B - F. A. R. C - A Deed D - Zoning Codes
D - Zoning Codes
These codes refer to the partitioning of a city into districts, the regulation of land use and restrictions on building volume and location within those districts.
16
The Piazza of Saint Peter at the Vatican, by Bernini, is an example of what type of planning?
Renaissance Planning
In the 15th century, rulers began to display their power and wealth by improving their cities. They dressed their existing medieval buildings in facades composed of classical Roman elements. The church was part of this movement as well, and Bernini redesigned the Piazza of Saint Peter (1655-67).
Typical of Renaissance planning, space was created amid a cramped medieval town for a grand piazza, where a more modest square once stood. Bernini designed an oval shaped colonnade of Tuscan columns, surrounding a pre-existing obelisk. That colonnade now defines the space as a formal piazza and organizes an otherwise haphazard urban pattern.
17
Regarding building codes, what is IBC?
International Building Code
Through the joint efforts of various model code organizations, the International Code Council (ICC) was established in 1994. They developed a single comprehensive and coordinated set of model codes with the intention of unifying the existing national codes. These codes include Building, Fire, Electrical, Mechanical, Zoning, Energy Conservation, etc. Their model building code is called the International Building Code (IBC) and it contains no regional limitations.
18
Which of the following is the best adjacency organization for a library?
A - Entry, bathroom, book storage, check-out
B - Entry, foyer, checkout, new book display
C - Entry, checkout, storage, bathroom, delivery
D - Entry, delivery, open shelves, bathroom
B - Entry, foyer, checkout, new book display
This series of adjacencies best relates the spaces by order of efficiency and traffic flow.
19
A new building is to include a large central space. Two options are being considered. The first is to construct a circular rotunda, and the second is to construct a hexagonal court. With a limited budget, which option will most likely be used?
The hexagonal court will most likely be the more cost-effective option. It will utilize regular, rectilinear building components whereas the circular rotunda requires mostly custom, curved elements, complex joint details and custom finish work.
20
Describe the role of a Project Manager (PM).
As architects have become involved in more complex projects, employ more consultants for specialized work, and use fast-track delivery approaches, the role of project management has become indispensable. Successful administration and coordination of these projects has generated a distinct architectural discipline in order to relive the burden on design and production teams.
The Project Manager (PM) should possess leadership qualities, be trained architecturally and have a background in design and production. To avoid confusion within the same office, all PMs should follow the same standardized procedures defined by office policy. For large offices, a project management department headed by a general partner is essential. For small offices, the same duties may be performed by principals or associates. As the central figure, a PM is responsible for the project team and balancing design issues with the schedule and the budget, in order to satisfy the client. Specific responsibilities may include: preparing and reviewing contracts and correspondence between architect and owner, contractor or construction manager, scheduling deadlines and meetings, monitoring job progress, billing and invoicing, and handling requisitions such as change orders.
21
What is the corrects vehicular data for the following?
1 - S.F. Per car for parking and circulation
2 - Standard parking stall
3 - Min. width of a two-way main aisle between 90 deg. Stalls
4 - Compact parking stall dimensions
5 - Min. distance between driveway and intersection.
6 - Accessible parking stall width
7 - Min. width of two-way driveway
8 - Min. angle of a road at an intersection
9 - Min. width of a one-way driveway
1 - S.F. Per car for parking and circulation - 400 s.f.
2 - Standard parking stall - 8’ to 9’ wide by 18’ to 20’
3 - Min. width of a two-way main aisle - 20’
4 - Compact parking stall dimensions - 7.5’ to 8’ wide by 16’-18’ long
5 - Min. distance between driveway and intersection. - 50’-200’
6 - Accessible parking stall width - cars: 8’ plus 5’ aisle; vans: 8’ plus 8’ aisle
7 - Min. width of two-way driveway - 16’
8 - Min. angle of a road at an intersection - 70 degrees
9 - Min. width of a one-way driveway - 10’
23
Entablature
In classical architeture, it is the beam member in the area of construction carried by the columns and is divided horizontally into an architrave, frieze and cornice.
ARCHITRAVE: the lower most division. It spans from column to column and rests directly on their capitals.
FRIEZE: The middle panel below the cornice.
CORNICE: The upper most division. It consists of a molded projection that crowns the construction.
24
Conditional Use vs. Variance
Conditional Use
Granted by a zoning board to achieve a purpose deemed by the board to be in the public interest. A school or hospital located in a residentially zoned area, for example, may have been granted this type of permission.
Variance
Special permission to deviate from the standard zoning regulations. It is sought by presenting the desired deviation before a local administrative authority (generally a board of zoning appeals or board of adjustment).
While both a variance and conditional use allow one to build outside the standard zoning regulations, the primary difference is that a variance is granted for the general public welfare.
25
How do natural lighting conditions affect one’s choice of orientation for a building?
While many theories of building/sun orientation exist, most agree that principal facades ideally face south (in the northern hemisphere) for optimal living conditions (warmth in winter and coolness in summer).
The quality of light is also a concern. Southern light tends to be direct, bright and intense while northern light is more evenly diffuse. Most importantly, all of these generalities must give way to regional and local conditions. The location of a 2nd building or other microclimate condition may trump any general rule of orientation.
26
What type of foundation system would most likely be used for expansive soil.
When the soul condition occurs near the surface, the best type of foundation system is pile or caisson foundation piers that bear on stable soil below. A continuous concrete grade beam is then used to connect the piers.
Clay soil tends to increase in volume with an increase in water content and decrease in volume when dry. Building foundations must be isolated from this soil due to the stress caused by heaving.
27 Which organizational concept for a school is most sociofugal? A - An axial plan B - A radial plan C - A clustered plan D - A grid plan
D - A grid plan
Schools, by nature, are complex social organizations. Their design must allow for social interaction on many levels both in and out of the classroom. A grid plan results in many corridors and no central space or main circulation path to bring people together.
Axial, radial, and clustered plans all promote social interaction through common space and circulation patterns and are considered sociopetal.
28
Name a significant drawback of the New Town Concept developed on Great Britain as a result of the New Town Act of 1946
This concept originally aspired to produce self-sufficient, planned communities. In actuality, these towns remained suburban and dependent on larger urban centers, mostly for employment.
Crawley, Harlow, Stevenage, Basildon etc. in England and ColumbiA, Maryland and Reston, Virginia in the U. S. For example.
Typically criticized for their standardized rigidity and lack of the dynamics found in a town that has developed over time.
29
Fire Zone
A zoning classification utilized by some jurisdictions to designate geographical areas of high-hazard, moderate hazard and low hazard. The classifications are based on the following criteria: population density, street access and traffic flow, building height, and the equipment and capabilities of the local fire department.
High Hazard areas may require the use of certain non-combustible construction materials and may impose restrictions on building use.
30a
Aquifer
A permeable stratum of soil material that allows the passage of water underground and is the water source for wells.
30b
Hydrology
The study of the occurrence, movement and quality of water on a site. Concerned with water forms, drainage patterns, runoff, water table and aquifer zones.
30c
Flume
An elevated artificial channel that carries fast moving water and is used to transport items such as logs or fish, or to divert a stream.
30d
Sheet Flow
Water that drains in a thin layer across a sloped surface, pavement, grass or landscape.
The runoff is directed to a gutter or channel and then storm sewer or natural water course.
30e
Weir
An embankment, levee or dam formed to hold a river or stream or divert a flow of water.
30f
Swale
A type of above-ground drainage used to control runoff. A shallow, sloping, sometimes grassy depression, incorporated into landscaping.
31
Name several methods used to control erosion, due to runoff or wind, during construction
In the interest of site sustainability, these methods have been implemented to reduce the negative impact of construction on water and air quality, and minimize the loss of topsoil and native vegetation.
1 - Silt Fence: Filter fabric usually fixed to wood stakes filters fine sediment from runoff before it reaches receiving streams or storm sewers.
2 - Straw Bale Dams/Earth Dikes: Strategic placement prior to grading will minimize the loss of topsoil by runoff.
3 - Hydroseeding or Mulch: Temporary seeding with quick sprouting annual grass or layer of mulch will help stabilize the top soil.
4 - Retaining Walls: A more permanent solution incorporated into the design.
In addition to soils stabilization, many of these methods also protect the site from infestation by weeds and help maintain native vegetation.
32 Methods of settling conflicts between the contracted parties in a construction project other than litigation are commonly referred to as: A - AAA B - CMR C - MMP D - ADR
D - ADR, Alternative Dispute Resolution
litigation is costly, time consuming and part of the public record. As a result, the construction industry has developed Alternative Dispute Resolution. These methods allow for the resolution of disputes without legal intervention. If methods such as direct negotiation and architect as arbitrator have failed, the two basic means of ADR are:
MEDIATION: A mediator empowers the participants to resolve the dispute themselves yet has no power to force a resolution.
ARBITRATION: A mutually acceptable arbitrator, knowledgable in the construction industry, will hear arguments, evidence, etc. prior to rendering a legally binding decision.
Since each successive step in dispute resolution represents an increase in the necessary investment of time and money, it is important to prevent disputes. After disputes occur, they should be resolved at the lowest level. As a last resort, binding adjudication should be employed.
