1. Programming & Site Analysis Flashcards
Why is the mean radiant temperature an important factor in cold rooms or in the winter?
A. because as the air temperature decreases, the body loses more heat through radiation than by evaporation
B. because clothing acts as an insulator, moderating the effects of conduction, convection and radiation
C. because as the air temperature increases, the body loses more heat through radiation
D. the decrease in humidity causes thermal retention
A. because as the air temperature decreases, the body loses more heat through radiation than by evaporation.
Explanation: The MRT is an an important comfort factor in cold rooms or in the winter because as the air temperature decreases, the body loses more heat through radiation than by evaporation. Even a room with adequate temperature will feel cool if the surfaces are cold.
The three areas of the implementation phase of a project include: the construction drawings, written specifications, and the legal contracts that bind all the concerned parties.
What are these three components referred to as?
A. construction documents
B. contract documents
C. working documents
D. programming documents
B. Contract Documents
Explanation: The implementation phase of the design process consists of developing construction drawings based on the final designs and any needed modifications. This phase also includes preparing the written specifications that complement the drawings. Finally, the various contracts for the work are prepared to legally tie the materials and workmanship to the various responsible parties.
These components compose what is referred to as the contract documents. Then, the project can begin construction and be built according to these documents, with the owner or user then moving into the space(s).
When determining a client’s furniture and equipment needs a designer will do all of the following EXCEPT?
A. Have the client create a list of all the furniture and equipment that they would like to re-use in the new project
B.Discuss the project budget
C. Inventory existing furniture and equipment
D. Conduct a thorough interview to determine client’s specific needs
A. Have the client create a list of all the furniture and equipment that they would like to re-use in the new project
Explanation: It’s the interior designer’s job - not the client’s - to make a list of what furniture and equipment will be used in the new project.
All of the following impact a building’s energy use except?
A. Comingled Recycling
B. Building Envelope
C. Lighting Design
D. Orientation
A. Comingled Recycling
Explanation: The orientation of a building to the sun and prevailing winds affects heating, lighting and cooling costs. A building that can be placed in the shade of trees or another structure will remain cooler, thereby reducing the required cooling load.
The building envelope protects the building occupants and plays a major role in regulating the indoor environment. The thermal mass of a building is an effective passive design technique. The thicker the concrete, brick or stone is on the exterior of the building the less electricity will be needed by the mechanical systems to keep the building cool.
Lighting is often the largest contributor to a building’s energy use.
Comingled recycling is a common method of recycling where waste is sent in one container to a facility where it can be separated into different recyclable components, but does not affect a building’s energy use.
What is a programmatic concept?
A. Physical solutions to the client’s problems
B. Synthesis of concepts
C. A designer’s abstract ideas about how to solve a performance problem
D. All of these
C. A designer’s abstract ideas about how to solve a performance problem
Explanation: The programming process should develop abstract ideas that are functional solutions to the client’s performance problems, without defining the physical means that could be used to solve them.
These ideas are called programmatic concepts and are the basis for later design concepts. It is important to understand the difference between programmatic concepts and design concepts. A programmatic concept is a performance requirement related to methods of solving a problem or satisfying a need. A design concept is a specific physical response that attempts to achieve a programmatic concept.
When does a designer typically create an inventory of existing furniture and equipment that will be reused in a project?
A. During preparation of the proposal
B. During the site analysis
C. During the design development phase
D. During the pre design phase
B. During the site analysis
Explanation: Site analysis is the investigation and evaluation of conditions within which the project will be completed. It is a form of due diligence in that the designer can only competently design the interior space after knowing the context of the project
Which workflow type does not have a strict organized method of workflow?
A. cooperative
B. network
C. studio
D. Departmental
B. network
Explanation: With a linear workflow, the work or business process proceeds from one location to another in a strict sequence.
With a centralized workflow, the work is controlled from one central position.
A departmental workflow is hierarchical, typically with one group controlling work divided into separate departments.
With a network workflow organization, there is no strictly organized method of workflow.
Planning an interior in a building with an atrium would suggest which of the following organizational concepts?
A. Central
B. Axial
C. Grid
D. Radial
A. Central
Explanation: An atrium could be incorporated into any of the concepts listed, but it is most often used in a central scheme where most of the functions focus on the atrium and its activities.
A building that has platinum rating has been designed and certified under which of the following systems?
A. Institute for Market Transformations to Sustainability
B. LEED
C. National Association of Home Builders Green Building Standard
D. Green Building Institute
B. LEED
Explanation: The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a national, consensus-based building rating system designed to accelerate the development and implementation of green building practices.
It was developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). In order for a building to be certified, certain prerequisites must be achieved and enough points must be earned to meet or exceed the program’s technical requirements. Points add up to a final score that relates to one of four possible certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum
If a designer wanted to emphasize a significant feature at both ends of a space, which plan arrangement would best achieve this goal?
A. Linear
B. Clustered
C. Grid
D. Axial
D. Axial
Explanation: An axial concept aligns space on a significant feature or features. The significant feature may be the entry to the space, a view or an important architectural element.
The space creating the axis is important and is significant, either symbolically or functionally, and the direction of the axis focuses attention not on the space, but usually on something at one or both ends of the axis.
According to the book Problem Seeking by William Pena, what are the 5 steps in the programming process?
- Establish goals
- Collect facts
- Uncover concepts
- Determine needs
- State the problem
In terms of the programming process, what are the three components of flexibility?
- Expandability
- Convertability
- Versatility
Which of the following measuring tool or technique produces a 3D image from which plans, elevations, sections and three-dimensional models are developed by computer software?
A. Electronic distance measurement (EDM)
B. Laser scanning
C. Photogrammetry
D. Orthophotography
B. Laser scanning
Explanation: Laser scanning uses medium-range, pulsing laser beams, which systematically sweep over an object or space to obtain three-dimensional coordinates of points on the surfaces of the object or space being scanned. The resulting image is a “point cloud” forming a 3D image.
When does a designer typically create an inventory of existing furniture and equipment that will be reused in a project? A. During the pre design phase B. During the design development phase C. During the site analysis D. During preparation of the proposal
C. During the site analysis
Explanation: Site analysis is the investigation and evaluation of conditions within which the project will be completed. It is a form of due diligence in that the designer can only completely design the interior space after knowing the context of the project.
Bubble diagrams are most often part of which design phase? A. Schematic B. Design development C. Pre-design D. Programming
A. Schematic
Explanation: Schematic design – preliminary conceptual, spatial, and technical design of project – includes preliminary space planning often using relationship diagrams, matrices, bubble diagrams, blocking diagrams, stacking and fit plans, as well as initial furnishings, fixtures and equipment design/layout.
Which type of matrix records the relationships between rooms in a plan and identifies the required levels of closeness and reasons why rooms need to be near each other? A. Criteria matrix B. Data matrix C. Adjacency matrix D. Schematic matrix
C. Adjacency Matrix
Explanation: Matrices are another useful tool in programming, an adjacency matrix is commonly used as a means of visually documenting spatial proximity, identifying related activities and services and establishing priorities.
The complexity of the human environment interface makes it difficult to base a design theory only on: A. Functionality B. Historic precedent C. Perception theories D. Environmental design research
D. Environmental Design Research
Explanation: Because environmental design research typically only focuses on one variable at a time, it is often difficult to draw valid conclusions that may apply to any of every design solution.
Which step in the five step programming process would the designer develop abstract ideas that are functional solutions to the client’s performance problems without defining the physical means to solve them? A. Collecting and analyzing facts B. Determining needs C. Uncovering and testing concepts D. Establishing goals
C. Uncovering and testing concepts
Explanation: The 5 steps pose these questions:
- goals: What does the client want to achieve and why?
- facts: what do we know? What is given?
- concepts: How does the client want to achieve the goals?
- needs: how much money and space? What level of quality?
- problem: what are the significant conditions affecting the design of the building? What are the general directions the design should take?
You have been assigned the task of field measuring a large church with a school and living quarters attached to the sanctuary.
Which measuring method would be the most accurate when measuring this large, complex interior?
A. Orthophotography
B. Reflectorless electronic distance measurement
C. Rectified photography
D. Laser scanning
D. Laser scanning
Explanation: Laser scanning is the most accurate measurement method and is especially useful for large, complex interiors. Rectified photography is an antiquated measurement method that uses a film-based camera. Orthophotography is similar to rectified photography but requires the use of a digital camera. This method could be used, but it is not as accurate as laser scanning. Handlheld electronic distance measurements (EDM) would not be appropriate for precisely measuring complex interiors.
Direct space adjacencies would be LEAST necessary in which business type? A. Retail specialty shoe store B. Dermatologist’s office C. Restaurant chain prep kitchen D. Amazon customer service call center
D. Amazon customer service call center
Explanation: In a call center, most of the work and transactions are conducted by telephone or electronically, so very few direct adjacencies are required. Even supervisors can monitor work electronically rather than being in or adjacent to other work spaces.
Which of the following are conceptual plan arrangements? A. Open, clustered, linear, grid B. Open, centralized, enveloped, linear C. Open, linear, axial, adjacent D. Open, transitional, centralized, grid
A. Open, clustered, linear, grid
Explanation: For interior design and architecture, the configuration of the plan is one of the most basic conceptual ideas even though the user typically does not experience its true organization.
Which of the following process drawings would a designer use to graphically illustrate spatial relationships, and the adjacencies noted in the adjacency matrix? A. Stacking diagram B. Prototype sketches C. Programming matrix D. Bubble diagrams
D. Bubble diagrams
Explanation: Bubble diagrams graphically illustrate spatial relationships, and the adjacencies noted in the adjacency matrix.
Research as part of the programming includes:
A. Surveys, questionnaires, observation, furniture placement
B. Observation, interviews, comparison shopping, material selection
C. Interviews, surveys, questionnaires, background reading, observation
D. Background reading, mock-ups, surveys, observation, focus groups
C. Interviews, surveys, questionnaires, background reading, observation.
Explanation: Furniture placement, comparison shopping, material selection, and mockups are influences by the design choices made after programming and occur later in the design phases.
In the programming phase of a project, an interior designer is busy collecting information during a site visit.
Which is one possible reason to verify results using another method?
A. Observation provides the opportunity for extemporaneous exploration of needs and ideas of the user not previously considered
B. Observation can cause the observer to jump to conclusion about why people are doing things in a particular way
C. Observation is best used to verify information gathered in interviews or questionnaires
D. Observation can be more effective than listening to what people have to say
C. Observation is best used to verify information gathered in interviews or questionnaires.
Explanation: A site visit is one means of observation. Observation is best used to verify information gathered in interviews or questionnaires or as a way of generating new questions to determine the reasons behind the observed behavior. One of the most reliable ways to gather information is by observing what people do rather than listening to what they say.
Which tool is best for documenting spatial proximity, related activities and identifying priorities: A. Parti diagram B. Bubble diagram C. Adjacency matrix D. Stacking plan
C. Adjacency Matrix
Explanation: Before designers can begin to solve a problem, they must understand how the organization is structured. If in an office environment, is there a need for public and private separation? Or in a private medical office with two physicians, is there a shared waiting, reception, and business area? Who needs to communicate in person to whom?
Which of the following existing conditions influences the space plan of an interior design project? A. An undesirable view B. Location of plumbing C. All of these D. Location of structural elements
C. All of these
Explanation: Several aspects of existing conditions can influence the space plan of an interior design project. Depending on the nature of the project not all will apply: these include size of existing space, ornate millwork, location of plumbing, and undesirable view, and the location of existing columns, and loadbearing walls.
An adjacency matrix is used to:
A. visualize pairing for power and data locations
B. create design presentations
C. establish fresh air and view requirements for specific spaces
D. Establish space planning relationship and priorities
D. establish space planning relationship and priorities
Explanation: An adjacency matrix is used to represent the relationships between spaces. It is most effective when representing a large or complex organization with many relationships, whereas a bubble diagram is more effective to display the relationship between a limited number of spaces/departments/individuals or small groups.
In which order would you create the following process drawings?
A. adjacency matrices, bubble diagrams, block diagrams
B. adjacency matrices, block diagrams, bubble diagrams
C. bubble diagrams, block diagrams, prototype sketches
D. adjacency matrices, bubble diagrams, block diagrams, prototype sketches
A. adjacency matrices, bubble diagrams, block diagrams
Explanation: During the schematic design and design development process, drawings can take many forms, depending on the amount of design thinking that has been done and the client’s specific requirements.
What of the four major considerations are MOST important during programming?
A. Analysis, economy, time and synthesis
B. budget, lead time, suitability, code compliance
C. form, economy, function and time
D. statements, goals, facts, function
C. form, economy, function and time
Explanation: Form, economy, function and time are major categories to consider during programming. All other choices would fall under these categories.
Which programmatic concept is a designer addressing for the programming of a health club if they opt to provide additional room in an indoor pool area beyond the space needed for the pool and circulation?
A. functional efficiency
B. convertibility
C. tolerance
D. expandability
C. tolerance
Explanation: Tolerance allows for extra space for a dynamic activity (one likely to change) instead of fitting the space precisely to a static activity. For example, an indoor swimming pool are can be sized
