2.1 Flashcards
What is site evaluation in the context of building projects?
A pre-design service for evaluating existing or potential sites in relation to the building program, budget, construction schedule
When is site analysis of a single site typically performed?
Site analysis of a single site is usually performed in the pre-design phase and may be undertaken as part of the schematic design phase if the fee is adjusted accordingly.
What does site analysis typically include?
Evaluation of existing or potential sites in relation to budget, phasing, scheduling, and test fits to indicate how a site may accommodate a program.
Site analysis considered a basic architectural service, true or false?
False
What should be adjusted if site analysis is undertaken during the schematic design phase?
Scope & fees
What information is included in a property’s legal description?
A boundary survey, easements, rights-of-way, and other legal limitations.
What aspects of the immediate surroundings should be evaluated during site analysis?
Neighbouring structures, shading and solar access, road & transportation access, noise, views, and vistas.
What geotechnical information is relevant for site analysis?
Soil conditions and other subsurface characteristics
What topographical features are important in site analysis?
Site contours, drainage, water courses, visual characteristics, physical features, vegetation, water bodies, and rock outcrops.
One can refer to ———— for information on determining appropriate fees for site analysis services
RAIC’s A Guide to Determining Appropriate Fees for the Services of an Architect
What factors might be included in the categories of analysis for comparative site studies?
Property size, cost, land use, location, access, utilities, and capacity for growth.
What are comparative site studies?
Parallel analysis of several sites using consistent measures such as constraints, adaptability, and development impacts to rank their suitability
Information to collect for robust site analysis include ..
Physical characteristics, applicable regulations, and highest and best uses
What is meant by the “highest and best use” of land?
The most productive way the land should be (re)developed, considering technical or legal restrictions and current market conditions.
What is the main focus of master planning?
Defining long-term development strategies & layouts for specific sites, including building locations, infrastructure, and circulation.
How does urban design differ from master planning?
Urban design encompasses broader scales, from city layouts to streetscapes
What do Building Condition Assessments (BCA) and Facility Condition Assessments (FCA) help facility managers understand?
They help understand the current deficiencies, deferred maintenance, remaining life cycle, and projected capital requirements of their buildings.
How often are BCAs and FCAs usually performed?
Every 3-5 years
What is the Facility Condition Index (FCI)?
It is the ratio of total maintenance, repair, and replacement costs required for a building to its current replacement value, indicating the building’s condition.
What should be included in the analysis of a BCA or FCA?
Itemization of all building systems and components, estimates of remaining life and replacement costs, prioritization, opportunities for bundling work, investment scenarios, and budgeting strategies.
Which environmental factors should be considered early in the design process of a building? (Select all that apply)
a) Microclimate
b) Color of the building
c) Topography
d) Natural habitat
a, c, d
How does responsive and sustainable design enhance human comfort and conserve resources?
By respecting the indigenous qualities of a place, adapting the building’s form + layout to the landscape, considering the sun path, prevalent wind, the flow of water on a site
What do zoning ordinances regulate?
Existing land-use patterns
Prescribe acceptable uses & activities Limit size and shape of bldg mass
Limit bldg location on the site.
Define ‘microclimate’ in the context of building design.
Refers to the climate of a small, specific place within a site, which can influence design decisions to enhance human comfort and conserve energy and material resources.
Which of the following is NOT a contextual force that should be considered in planning the design and construction of buildings?
a) The site’s microclimate
b) The site’s natural habitat
c) The personal preferences of the architect
d) The site’s topography
c) The personal preferences of the architect
What is the definition of sustainable development according to the 1987 UN report “Our Common Future”?
“A form of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Why has sustainability become a significant issue in the building design industry? (Select all that apply)
a) Increasing awareness of climate change
b) Improved technology
c) Resource depletion
d) Economic benefits
a) Increasing awareness of climate change
Which principle emphasizes the reuse of resources in sustainable development?
a) Reduce resource consumption
b) Recycle resources for reuse
c) Protect nature
d) Eliminate toxics
b) Recycle resources for reuse
List three stakeholders whose full participation is required for a holistic approach to sustainability in building design.
Planners, architects, developers, (building owners, contractors, manufacturers, governmental and non-governmental agencies)
Which of the following is NOT a principle of sustainable development mentioned in the text?
a) Reduce resource consumption
b) Apply life-cycle costing
c) Maximize short-term gains
d) Focus on quality
c) Maximize short-term gains
Define the principle of ‘Apply life-cycle costing’ in sustainable development.
Involves evaluating total cost of building decisions over the entire life span of a building, including initial construction, operation, maintenance, and eventual renovation or demolition.
True or False: Sustainability in building design only concerns the construction phase of a building.
False
What is the difference between “green building” and “sustainable design”?
While both terms describe environmentally sensitive buildings, sustainability calls for a whole-systems approach that encompasses green building and also addresses broader social, ethical, and economic issues, as well as the community context of buildings.
True or False: The terms “green building” and “sustainable design” are completely synonymous.
False
——— ——— is an essential component of sustainability that focuses on providing healthy environments in a resource-efficient manner using ecologically based principles.
Green building
Which of the following best describes the LEED Green Building Rating System?
a) A voluntary guideline for reducing building costs
b) A set of measurable criteria promoting environmentally sustainable construction
c) A mandatory government regulation for all buildings
d) A system for designing aesthetically pleasing buildings
b) A set of measurable criteria promoting environmentally sustainable construction
Who developed the LEED Green Building Rating System?
USGBC
(U.S. Green Building Council)
What does LEED stand for?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
In what year did Canada obtain a license to adapt the LEED rating system to Canadian circumstances?
July 2003
Which of the following are members involved in the consensus process for the LEED rating system?
a) Federal/state/local agencies
b) Suppliers
c) Architects
d) Real estate agents
a) Federal/state/local agencies
Define “green building”
Green building seeks to provide healthy environments in a resource-efficient manner using ecologically based principles.
What broader issues does sustainability address in addition to the concept of green building?
Broader social, ethical, and economic issues, as well as the community context of buildings.
Multiple Choice: What does a whole-systems approach to development include besides green building?
a) Only the environmental impact
b) Broader social, ethical, and economic issues
c) Reducing construction costs
d) Maximizing building height
b) Broader social, ethical, and economic issues
What does the “Sustainable Sites” category in the LEED rating system address?
-Reducing pollution associated with construction
-Selecting appropriate development sites
-Protecting and restoring habitats
-Encouraging alternative transportation
-Respecting natural water hydrology
-Reducing heat island effects
——- ——- is a LEED category that focuses on reducing the demand for potable water and the generation of wastewater.
Water Efficiency
—————- is a LEED category that seeks to maximize the use of locally available, renewable, and recycled materials.
Materials and Resources
Which LEED rating system category aims to enhance the comfort, productivity, and well-being of occupants by improving indoor air quality, maximizing daylighting, enabling user control of lighting and thermal systems, and minimizing exposure to hazardous pollutants?
“Indoor Environmental Quality”
——————— is a LEED category that rewards exceeding the requirements of the LEED Green Building Rating System.
Innovation in Design
What does the “Regional Priority” category in the LEED rating system provide?
Incentives for practices that address geographically-specific environmental priorities.
A term that relates to the LEED “Sustainable Sites” category and refers to the increase in temperature in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings, primarily due to human activities. The “Sustainable Sites” category aims to reduce this effect.
“heat island effect”
Which LEED category promotes the use of water-conserving fixtures and on-site wastewater treatment systems?
Water Efficiency
Which of the following is a focus of the “Energy and Atmosphere” category?
a) Reducing the use of recycled materials
b) Increasing the efficiency of energy use
c) Maximizing the use of virgin materials
d) Improving indoor air quality
b) Increasing the efficiency of energy use
——- are chemical pollutants found in adhesives, coatings, and other materials that can be harmful to health. The “Indoor Environmental Quality” category aims to minimize occupants’ exposure to these substances.
VOCs
(volatile organic compounds)
What are the primary greenhouse gases mentioned that contribute to global warming?
Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide.
Which greenhouse gas accounts for the largest share of U.S. emissions?
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
True or False: The main source of CO2 emissions is industrial processes.
False.
The main source is fossil fuel combustion.
Who is the founder of Architecture 2030, and what is its mission?
Edward Mazria; its mission is to provide information and innovative solutions in architecture and planning to address global climate change.
According to Architecture 2030, what percentage of U.S. energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is attributed to buildings annually?
Almost half
Which process accounts for most of the building sector’s energy consumption?
a) Production of materials
b) Construction process
c) Operational processes (heating, cooling, lighting)
d) Demolition
c) Operational processes (heating, cooling, lighting)
What does the 2030 Challenge call for in terms of new building design?
It calls for all new buildings and developments to use half the fossil fuel energy they would typically consume.
Describe the passive approach to reducing a building’s consumption of GHG-emitting fossil fuels.
Designing, siting, and orienting a building to work with the climate, using passive cooling and heating techniques to reduce energy requirements.
What is the active approach to reducing a building’s consumption of GHG-emitting fossil fuels?
The active approach involves increasing the building’s ability to capture or generate its own energy from renewable sources like solar, wind, geothermal, low-impact hydro, biomass, and bio-gas.
True or False: Minimizing energy use is unnecessary if the energy comes from renewable resources.
False
Architecture 2030 advocate for a ——- reduction in fossil fuel energy consumption by 2025.
90%
What are some renewable energy sources that buildings can use according to the active approach?
Solar - wind - geothermal - low impact hydro - biomass - bio-gas