3 - PA Flashcards
what is the definition of architectural programming?
important part of early design process, identify and organize the architectural, functional, aesthetic, operational, and budgetary needs of your client
put into written document called a “program”
name 5 phases that are performed during programming
- gathering data: site surveys, use, building type, codes/zoning req, budget, schedule
- establishing goals: interview of owner, design goals & potential issues
- mapping functions: spatial requirements/sizes, adjacencies/relationships
- setting priorities: order of importance based on budget
- researching requirements: technical req, equipment, operations, performance
true or false: programming and architectural design are completely independent of one another
true
during programming, problems of the project are sought out and documented
during design, problems are discussed and solutions are developed
what four items should be considered during programming?
- building function
- building form
- project budget
- project schedule
describe the programming process
- discuss goals of project with owner
- organize all project-specific information (codes, site conditions, bldg users, etc.)
- determine building hierarchy of spaces
- determine priorities of owner
- develop problem that must be solved through building design
if done correctly, programming should…
- clarify owner’s intentions
- set mutually agreed upon design direction
- reduce change orders during construction
- minimize disputes btw. owner and architect
- establish basis for resolving difference of opinion
- minimize redundancy from wasted spaces or poor relationships
aquifer
layer of water flowing underground (underground stream)
the presence of an aquifer could supply fresh water to the building, or limit the depth of the foundations
soil load bearing capacity
maximum amount of pressure a foundation soil can bear without harmful settlement
name 4 soil types and their capacities
- bedrock: 10,000 psf
- well graded gravel or sand: 3,000 - 12,000 psf
- compacted sand or fill: 2,000 - 3,000 psf
- silt or clay: 1,000 - 4,000 psf
ground water table
the layer below the surface soil when it is saturated, sometimes 2’ below surface, or sometimes 200’ below
depth of water table will determine the type of foundation you can use, if you will need extensive waterproofing, or if a basement is possible
soil types are classified based on:
sizes of the particles in the soil
name the soil types
gravel: well drained, able to bear loads
sand: well drained, can serve as foundation when graded
silt: stable when dry, swells when frozen, do not use when wet
clay: must be removed, too stiff when dry and too plastic when wet
which soil type is considered best to build on?
bedrock & gravel
what is a percolation test and when would it be used?
used to evaluate the rate at which soil will absorb water on site, necessary for septic draining or leach fields
can soil bearing capacity be increased? if so, how?
yes: fill, compaction, surcharging
what is a proctor test?
used to calculate maximum density that is required for the soil on a project site
evaluates native soils in both dry and wet conditions to determine the potential negative qualities of the soil
performed by dropping a hammer on a sample of soil several times (and then dried)
define compaction and surcharging
compaction: compressing soils to release air btw. grains, creates higher bearing capacity
surcharging: adding soils to the site to increase weight on soils and aid in compaction (lengthy process, can take 6-12 mo.)
name the four different levels of soil
level A: topsoil, essential for growth of plants, takes a long time to develop
level B: minerals, lies below plant roots, supports life
level C: weathered and fractured rock w/ little biological activity
level D: solid bedrock
why is the location of the frost line important?
indicates level where soil freezes
top of footings should be at or below frost line, avoids damage to the foundation due to moisture changes throughout the year
angle of repose
how soils form mounds when loose
sand & gravel are stiff, steeper angle of repose than silt & clay
what should you do if you discover large quantities of organic soils on a site?
remove and replace w/ alternate fill material
or, foundation piles need to extend through to solid bedrock or bearing soils
safe bearing capacity
ultimate bearing capacity of soil divided by safety factor of 2x or 4x
ensures site will not endure full ultimate bearing capacity and helps to avoid structural failure
ecology
science of relationship between an organism or community and its environment
the community comprises of all the living plants and animals occupying a given area
what are 6 strategies to reduce energy use?
- solar panels
- increase insulation
- use insulated windows
- orient building to sun to control heat gain
- install light colored roof
- use efficient light bulbs
what are 5 strategies to reduce water use?
- use drip irrigation system for landscaping
- use low-flow or waterless toilets
- use native species and drought tolerant plants
- collect graywater from showers & laundry, reuse to water yard or flush toilets
- collect rainwater for reuse
how to determine the grade or slope of a site
g = V/H(100)
g = grade of slope
V = rise/vertical
H = run/horizontal
x100 to convert to %
name 4 general rules of thumb for site grading and what they are best used for
less than 4% slope is considered flat, suitable for all activities
4% - 10% = moderate, requires some effort to climb or descend
10% - 50% = steep, suitable only for limited activity
50% + = very steep, subject to soil erosion/collapse
what is max slope allowed for an accessible ramp?
1:12 (8.3%)
45 degrees translates to what percentage slope?
100% (rise = run)
why is solar orientation important when laying out a site design?
the more perpendicular the sun’s rays are to the site, the greater the amount of solar radiation received
note the amount of solar radiation received to design a building that maintains a consistent internal temp
what factors of sun radiation should be taken into consideration when designing a site?
time of day: how much sun is received on site in morning vs. afternoon
azimuth: angle btw. sun and horizon (summer sun has larger azimuth than winter sun)
duration of sun exposure: sites in northern hemisphere have more hours of sunlight in the summer than in winter
slope of site: ground slope affects the amount of solar energy the site receives
5 basic fundamentals of physics that affect internal building comfort
- hot air rises: place vents or windows in correct locations to create cooling breezes
- high summer sun: well-positioned overhangs can shade & keep cooler in summer
- low winter sun: sunlight passes under any overhangs to keep bldg warm
- thermal mass: heavy mass materials (concrete, stone, brick, water) store heat and cold; when temp. changes, release stored temp. back into air
- insulation: hold in interior temp, keep out ext.
water table
level of water below surface of ground
how does level of water table on site affect the design of the foundation?
if it is located less than 6’ below surface, considered high and will limit foundation design
a mat slab or pile foundation may be necessary to evenly distribute loads of building on site
what conditions could occur if a high water table is found in a cold climate?
water expands as it freezes, could crack or settle if water table freezes and pushes it upward
indigenous materials
locally found materials that don’t require transportation or import
what considerations should be given for exterior building materials?
- must withstand elements
- durable
- local conditions
what is R-value?
insulation measured in R-value; the higher the R-value, the more insulation value
since materials like wood and siding have a low R-value, we typically add high value insulation into the walls
the thicker the wall, the more insulation it can hold
how does R-value differ from U-value?
the insulating value of windows is measured in U-value, which is 1/R-value (inverse)
the lower the U-value, the more insulative value it has
describe thermal mass and its importance to building design
the ability of a material to absorb and store temperature
these materials take a long time to heat up and cool down, we can use high thermal mass materials to help keep a building at a consistent/regular temperature
microclimate
specific local conditions of the site - vegetation, elevation, slope, water, wind, solar exposure
what climatic considerations should be evaluated during site design?
- temperature: comfort zone = 63-71 degrees in winter, 66-75 degrees in summer
- humidity: comfort zone = 30-60% relative humidity
- solar radiation: lack of natural light in winter can cause depression
- air movement: breezes promote evaporation, maintain consistent humidity levels
- air pollution: natural weather patterns can magnify the effects of man-made pollution
macroclimate
general climate of overall region
list site conditions that can affect the macroclimate of the site
- site latitude (how close to equator)
- site elevation (affects rain/snow/temperature)
- prevailing winds (impact air temp)
- proximity to water (humidity, help maintain site temp)
- proximity to mountains (direct prevailing winds to rise, cools, forms clouds)
- topography (steep slopes increase wind velocity)
4 different climate zones found in USA
- cool (north)
- temperate (west coast)
- arid (midwest/desert states)
- tropical (southern near gulf)
difference between microclimate & macroclimate?
macro = refers to regional climate, like a county micro = climate on a particular site
what site elements can be studied to determine the effect of the microclimate on the site?
- location of plants & bodies of water
- amount & location of sun exposure
- prevailing wind patterns
- ground surface coverage
albedo
measure of reflectivity of a material
snow has a high albedo (blinding light), while grass has a low albedo
conductivity
refers to a material’s ability to absorb light
describe albedo & conductivity in relation to site elements
albedo = radiant energy that is reflected by a surface where 0 is a flat black surface that absorbs heat, and 1 is a mirror
conductivity = the rate at which heat passes through a material (metals have a high conductivity, soils/sands have a low one)
what is the best way to provide internal comfort in a building during a hot summer day?
use large overhangs to shade house from southern/western sun for most of the day
inside, use a thick concrete wall to absorb heat
how is a space heated at night during the winter if it contains thick concrete walls and floors, and has large windows facing south?
low winter sun warms the south side of the house all day, stone or concrete floor stores heat, hot air builds up by ceiling
at night, stored heat in floor and walls is released
how does a proper building siting affect the views for a project?
create axis to draw your eye toward view & enclose outdoor space
undesireable views can be avoided by locating service or ulitity spaces to face/block them
what are the 3 primary reasons for landscape design?
- recreation
- circulation
- comfort
define deciduous tree; name 3 species
full w/ leaves through spring/summer providing shade
leaves fall in autumn, expose bare branches through winter, allow sun to pass into a building
maple, elm, oak, sycamore
define conifer tree; name 2 examples
needle-like evergreens that do not shed leaves
perfect when used as year-round windbreakers or privacy screens
pine, spruce, fir
what purpose do deciduous trees serve best on a project site?
best choice when a site requires shade in summer and heat from sun in winter
your project program specifies that the site must be protected from cold winter winds
what type of tree would be best suited for this condition?
conifers are excellent wind breakers, retain dense, needle filled branches year-round
how does “smart landscaping” help act as a natural heat buffer on a site?
- trees can help screen or direct winds on site
- trees & vegetation absorb sunlight & add humidity to air
- planted areas are cooler during hot summer days
name 5 ways you can mitigate disturbance to local flora & fauna when designing a site
- designate no disturbance zones
- re-plant disturbed areas to other parts of the site
- minimize disturbance to natural site water supplies
- minimize night site lighting to not disturb fauna
- maintain wildlife use corridors throughout the site
what building codes topics are typically addressed at the programming phase?
- allowable floor areas
- parking requirements
what is model building code developed by the ICC (international code council)?
IBC - international building code
what is the purpose of building code enforcement?
health, safety, and welfare
what are 4 standardized national codes used to create the building codes adopted by municipalities?
- uniform building code (UBC)
- building officials code administrators (BOCA)
- international conference of building officials (ICBO)
what is the main intent and purpose of building codes?
health, safety, and welfare
safety issues such as fire protection, egress requirements
what US city has adopted and uses its own building code?
the city of chicago remains the only municipality in the US that continues to use a building code they developed on their own (municipal code of chicago)
name 5 items the building department will review for during the plan check process
- construction standards of care (nailing patterns/connections)
- hurricane requirements (impact strength, roof shingle attachment)
- safety (guardrails, stair nosing)
- sanitation requirements (pipe locations/size, water supply)
- electrical (wiring safety, outlet locations, circuit breakers)
- energy efficiency requirements (min. insulation, window size/orientation)
- egress & exiting requirements (exit signage, hallway length/width)
- structural & seismic requirements (shear walls, bolting, lateral forces)
- health standards (ventilation, fresh air)
- assembly (room locations/sizes)
- fireplace requirements (smoke dampers, ventilation, glass doors)
- water efficiency requirements (low flow toilets, plumbing flow rates)
- fire protection (sprinklers, smoke/fire dampers, standpipes)
ordinance
a municipal law in addition to a standard building code
what building spaces are sometimes allowed to fall outside of zoning height restrictions?
- penthouses
- fan rooms
- skylights
describe a prescriptive code
a code that specifies specific techniques, materials, and methods allowed for use
simple to administer, but code allows for no innovation
describe a performance code
a code that describes functional requirements that meet a certain standard, allowing the architect to find ways to meet those standards
the open nature promotes innovation, but sometimes need to provide test results ($)
what is a performance code and how does it differ from a prescriptive code?
a code that describes functional requirements that meet a certain standard, allowing the architect to find ways to meet those standards
the open nature of the code promotes innovation, whereas a prescriptive code does not
name the 10 occupancy groups found in most building codes
Assembly Business Educational Factory/Industrial High Hazard Institutional Mercantile Residential Storage Utility & Miscellaneous
name occupancy groups I, H, and A
I = Institutional H = High Hazard A = Assembly
how does the construction type constrict the design of a building/site?
classified according to degree of fire resistance, determined by the fire zone it is located in and its intended use
influences height, floor area, and materials
in zoning terms, what is the purpose of building setbacks?
to ensure streets will have access to light and air
is there a standard lot setback distance?
no
front, side, and rear setbacks will vary between states/cities but also based on building heights etc.
what is the difference between a setback and an easement?
setbacks regulate how close a building can come to the property line
easements grant access to the property to others, often for utilities and/or municipal vehicle access
non-conforming use
where the current use of the building is no longer permitted by the zoning ordinance (but once was); the use is typically allowed to continue unless it’s unsafe
how does a conditional use differ from a variance?
conditional use allows for a building in an area it is not zoned for due to its benefit and value to the public
variance is a deviation from an ordinance granted in order to avoid economic hardship
what is the americans with disabilities act (ADA)?
set of prescriptive guidelines developed in 1990 for the construction (or alteration) of buildings to accommodate the needs or “persons with disabilities”
is the ADA part of the building code?
no (technically)
it does not address life safety, it is a civil rights law passed by congress
who enforces the ADA?
the department of justice governing public accommodations and state/local government services
what happens if various building code or ADA requirements overlap?
just as with building code, if two or more different requirements are placed over a building, the most stringent requirement is the one that applies and must be incorporated
what are the minimum clear widths for two wheelchairs to pass, minimum clear floor space, and clear space between rails on a staircase?
2 wheelchairs passing = 60” clear
clear floor space = 30” w X 48” l
48” clear between handrails
what are barrier-free provisions?
regulations that provide accessibility to buildings and sites for persons with disabilities
what are the requirements for hand railings at ramps?
handrails shall extend 12” min. beyond the top and bottom of ramp
clear space btw. handrail and wall shall be 1 1/2” min.
minimum width for doors unless otherwise specified?
32” clear min. when open at 90 degrees
minimum width for hallways?
36” clear, 32” at pinch point
allowable height range for handrails?
34” - 38”
describe the handrail restrictions
1-1/4” - 2” diameter
1-1/2” min. clear from wall
how far must a handrail at the bottom of a stair extend?
12” plus depth of one tread
what site issues will be affected by the zoning code?
- building type (residential, commercial, industrial)
- allowable building height
- any required setbacks from property lines, rights-of-way, streets, sidewalks
what is the primary purpose of zoning regulations
protecting rights of property owners, ensuring long-term quality of life for residents
what are the 4 main purposes of zoning laws?
- protect local residents from undesirable types of businesses
- protect access to direct sunlight & fresh air
- protect amount of open space for local residents
- ensure incompatible types of building uses do not disturb residents (e.g. factory next to library)
when and where were the first modern zoning codes in America?
New York City, 1916
when and why was the first zoning code introduced?
new york city, 1916
growth of cities in late 19th/early 20th century, access to sunlight and air, property values
incentive zoning
encourage new development by implementing a reward-based system for urban development; usually focuses on public benefits in form of affordable housing or community amenities
euclidian zoning
single-use zoning (most widely used form in US)
segregation of land uses (shops vs. housing zone vs. industrial zone) - named for euclid, ohio
form-based zoning
regulates form that land use may shape
setbacks, building heights, type of density, pedestrian access rather than type of land use
how to calculate the F.A.R. of your site?
ratio of allowable floor area in relation to the size of the property
FAR of 2.0 means you are allowed to build 2x the lot area
how might the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) impact building and site design?
determines upper limit of sq. footage allowable on the property based on lot size, use, type, and fire zone
fire separations, dampers, construction type, and fire sprinklers can increase the FAR limit
Name 4 different types of site easements
- joint easement: used when it is required for two private owners to use a strip of land between two houses (property line running thru center)
- party wall easement: used in row housing, when a common/party wall is shared by two adjacent owners
- condemnation easement: for public good (street, highway, railroad r.o.w., telephone or power line)
- historic facade easement: est. by a municipality to protect a facade where redevelopment is occuring
what is an air right and who generally enforces or monitors these rights?
air rights = the right to use the space above a property can be sold or leased to someone else
e.g. grand central & madison square garden sold their rights to taller buildings
local zoning ordinances or guidelines from the FAA can be used to enforce air rights
how could a deed restriction impact the design for a site?
deed restrictions = limitations on the use of the property, typically by the original developers, sets what the land may be used for and can’t be changed by future owners
what kind of consideration should be given to easements located on a site?
easement = legal right to use a portion of the site without ownership (utility or access); legally binding & attached to the deed
eminent domain
grants the government the power to seize private property for public use
can be done without owner’s consent, so long as fair payment is given to the owner
how does a deed restriction differ from a restrictive covenant?
deed restriction = limitations on use of property, typically by original developer, sets what land may be used for, can’t be changed by future owner
restrictive covenant = limitations and stipulations in residential developments on what is allowed on the exterior of houses (aesthetics - colors, fence materials) (pets/cleanup) (storage - parked cars/boats)
party wall agreement
agreement on how to carry out construction work on a wall shared between two properties
if utilities cannot be provided to a site, can it still be developed? if so, how?
yes
- electricity can be provided by on-site energy sources
- gas, delivered and stored
- septic system installed
- well can be built
sewage drain lines must have at least a __% slope with a velocity of __ft/sec
2% slope
2-10 ft/sec
why should existing utilities be located on a site during programming?
adding, extending, or altering utilities can add greatly to the cost of a project
who or what typically reviews and rules on variance requests?
variance requests are often reviewed by the zoning administrator, zoning board, planning commission, or planning staff
what is non-conforming use, and when would this term apply?
buildings that may have been permitted or allowed when built, but no longer comply with current zoning regulations (“grandfathered in”)
conditional use permit
if you wish to build or use a building for a purpose not granted in the zoning code, you apply for a conditional use permit (typically with restrictions, may not be transferrable)
how does a variance affect the zoning code applicable to a particular site?
variance = request to break from some of the requirements of zoning (max. height, min. setback, etc.) because complying with these req’s would create financial hardship or practical construction challenges
e.g. if zoning code says 30’ height max, but the property is on a steep site
which department would perform plan check first in the building permit approval process?
planning department is always the first step
most other agencies such as Building and Safety will not perform a plan check until after Planning has completed their review
what is required to obtain a building permit?
permit can only be obtained after all agencies have signed off on the project
owner or g.c. can obtain the permit, will have to show license and proof of workers comp. insurance
what are the 3 phases of the regulatory approval process?
- entitlement phase
- building and safety plan check (and other local agencies)
- obtain building permit
entitlement phase
trying to obtain permission/approval for the project prior to producing construction documents
describe the entitlement phase and name 3 items to review that are involved
drawings usually in design development stage, with enough information to illustrate the size and scope of the project
drawings submitted to local planning department, who will review for compliance with environmental regulations, zoning codes, and local ordinances
what is involved in the entitlement phase?
- submit drawings to local planning department
- drawings reviewed for compliance with environmental regulations
- drawings reviewed for compliance with zoning code & local ordinances
- drawings reviewed for compliance with any local specific plan areas such as local historic neighborhoods
- attendance at any required design review board/architectural review board meetings
who obtains the building permit?
owner or general contractor
what is an environmental impact statement (EIS)?
document required under US environmental law by the national environmental policy act
required by any federal government agency undertaking a project that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment
what is an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?
shorter, mini EIS designed to provide just enough information to allow the permitting agency to decide whether a full EIS (environmental impact statement) is necessary
- evaluation of possible impact (both positive & negative) that a proposed project may have on the surrounding environment
- covers all types of impacts (environment, social, economic)
describe the 4 sections of an EIS (environmental impact statement)
- introduction (statement of purpose, need of the proposed action)
- description (of affected environment & areas)
- range of alternatives (to the proposed actions) - considered the “heart” of an EIS
- analysis (of the impacts of each alternative)
what is an environmental impact report (EIR)?
similar to EIA… an EIR also serves to inform permitting agencies and the public of a project’s environmental impact
what are the 3 possible decisions a lead agency may render after reviewing a project proposal for environmental impact?
- negative declaration: the project has no significant environmental impact, no EIR required
- mitigated negative declaration: the project could potentially have an environmental impact, but if a list of proposed mitigation measures are added, no EIR required
- EIR required: the project will have a significant environmental impact
name the 4 methods available for historic preservation
- preservation
- reconstruction
- restoration
- rehabilitation
what processes, in order, does historical preservation typically follow?
- identify, retain, & preserve
- stabilize
- protect
- repair
- replacement
name at least 3 site features that may need to be preserved on a site
- landforms (terracing, berms, grading)
- vegetation
- circulation systems (paths, roads, parking)
- water features
- furnishings & fixtures
- decorative elements (sculptures, monuments)
- subsurface archaeology
what are 5 methods for preserving features on a site?
- stabilize, protect, preserve existing features
- minimize disturbance of terrain
- survey, conduct field investigations
- evaluate condition of existing features
- repair and/or replace
name 2 accessible features that must be addressed when rehabilitating a historic building
- main entrance
2. restrooms
how could the discovery of wetlands or archaeological sites on a property impact the design?
may restrict buildable area (identify early in programming phase)
what is buildable area?
the imaginary line beyond which a structure is not allowed to extend (most cases, cannot extend into an easement)
what is a property line?
legal boundary of site outlining the ownership
what is an accessible route?
a continuous, unobstructed path connecting all of the accessible elements and spaces in a building
accessible route includes doors, corridors, floors, ramps, elevators, and clear floor space at fixtures
name 7 exceptions to ADA guidelines
- raised areas used primarily for security or life safety
- temporary facilities needed for construction
- non-occupiable service areas infrequently accessed for maintenance (catwalks, mech. rooms)
- water slides
- animal containment areas
- raised structures for officiating sporting events
- raised boxing/wrestling rings
preliminary survey
basic plan showing boundaries, orientation, and some major features
used to prepare initial design plans
construction survey
highly detailed plan showing exact conditions of site, details, existing structures, topography, offsets, & benchmarks
what is a possession survey and why is it used?
“as-builts” reflect the project as it actually exists, incl. all changes that may have occurred during construction from the CD’s
vital for any future projects and for reference
what is the difference between a geodetic survey and a plane survey?
geodetic = takes into account the spherical shape of the earth, describes large land areas w/ precision
plane = presents site as flat, used most often
name 2 types of surveys that are considered plane surveys
- land survey
- topographic survey
in relation to surveys, what are parallels and meridians?
parallels = lines that run E-W, parallel to earth’s lattitude lines
meridians = lines that run N-S, parallel to earth’s longitudinal lines
name 5 typical elements that would appear on a topographic survey
- contour intervals
- crowns/ridges
- swales/valleys
- hills
- depressions
what level of survey would be sending an office employee to survey the site conditions for a new project be?
preliminary survey (would not include topography, offsets, or benchmarks)
what is a baseline?
a parallel line (following latitudes of earth) used as the bases for the east-west layout of the US survey system
on a survey, a reference to the distance above sea level or some other established reference point is called a:
datum
in terms of a topographical map, what are concave slopes?
concave slopes = when ground is scooped out (like a cave)
in terms of a topographical map, what are convex slopes?
convex slopes = when ground slopes like top of circle
what is a ridge?
long, thin, flat area that slopes down on both sides
how are summits and depressions depicted on a topagraphic map?
summits = high, flat areas depressions = low areas
represented by concetric closed contours
what is a spot elevation?
number corresponding to the exact elevation at a key point on the ground
which is permitted to be steeper: a cut slope or a filled slope?
cut slope
cut earth is generally more stable than filled
what is the least expensive and most convenient way to grade a site?
balance amount of cut and fill
define reparian rights
system of rights and duties that determine the reasonable use, duties, and allocations of water to owners of waterfront property (beach, bottomland, upland, but not water itself)
owners can use water adjacent to their property, but can’t infringe upon the rights of others to use the water
in land divison terms, a “check” refers to what?
refers to each 24 mile square created by the meridians and parallels, and divided into 16 townships
what does sheet flow refer to?
water that flows across paved surfaces
describe the difference between parallels and meridians
N-S = meridians E-W = parallels or base lines
lines between parallels are called township lines
define:
check, township, section, quarter
check: each 24 mile square ceated by the meridians and parallels
each check is divided into 4 x 4 squares, creating 16 townships per check
each township is 6 miles square and numbered and designated as north or south of the base line and east or west of the principal median
townships are divided into 6 x 6 squares, creating 36 square sections, each one sq. mile
sections are divided into 4 quarters, each 1/4 sq. mile
what is the difference between a retention pond and a detention pond?
retention = designed to keep water indefinitely
detention = allow water to seep into ground (temporary, flood control)
what is a typical slope for a sidewalk (not cross slope)?
4% to 10%
in general, why are rural sites more expensive to develop than urban or suburban?
often have limited, outdated, or no utilities
how could a building design be impacted if a high water table is discovered on site?
groundwater within 6’ of land surface may cause an issue w/ foundation
solutions: pump water out of excavation, waterproof basement walls, design to resist hydrostatic pressure, install continuous drain pipe along foundation
a feasibility study is likely to include at least:
- site considerations
- location considerations
- identifying potential land issues
- codes & ordinances
name 4 parts of a program document
- programming statement: detailed description of functional req’s, narrative
- relationship & flow diagrams
- functional program: raw data on number of users, times of use, operational needs - provided by owner
- facilities program: list of scope, area requirements, adjacencies, cost & site analysis
what massing diagram options can be used during programming, and in what order?
- matrix chart
- bubble diagram
- blocking and stacking
what 3 graphic tools can an architect use to perform a functional analysis of the client’s needs?
- space matrix
- bubble diagram
- blocking and stacking
- solve layout of spaces
- determine heirarchy
- flexible, easy to change
describe the difference between net area & gross area
net = area of spaces within a building not including circulation, building structure, and mechanical spaces
gross = area of all building spaces
why is it a good idea to allow for 10-20% additional space within a programming layout?
this additional space will allow the architect to design a building that is flexible and allows for future expansion
define efficiency ratio
ratio of net vs. gross areas
most buildings fall in 60-80% range depending on type
arrangethe following in order from largest to smallest:
- total building group
- space unit
- activity center
- component building
- total building group
- component building
- activity center
- space unit
what program format is each of the following a good example of:
- city hall
- conference room
- civic center
- department of planning
- component building
- space unit
- total building group
- activity center
what is a swale?
elongated depression in the land that carries water downhill, seasonally wet, well vegetated (seeds get carried in)
what considerations should an architect give a program for a project that will be separated into several phases?
- find clear and logical portions to build in phases
- staging = providing areas to store building materials/supplies, etc.
how should an architect approach the layout and design of interior spaces?
- definition of spatial areas
- zones of furniture/equipment
- circulation patterns
- standards, codes, accessibility
which form of spatial organization allows for future expansion and growth?
clustered organization
due to flexible nature, spaces can change with ease
what 4 conditions are out of the architect’s control when it comes to cost estimates?
- market conditions
- inflation & cost of goods & services
- contractor means & methods of construction
- unknown site conditions
for the programming phase, what are 3 ways cost estimates can be performed?
- based on unit cost system
- historical data
- cost per square foot
what is the quantity survey method of construction cost estimating?
detailed method typically benefits contractors’ understanding of construction cost (not typically used by architects)
separate fixtures, measure lengths of pieces
in a basic sense, what must be considered when designing the structural system of a building?
- vast range of physical loads
- materials, equipment, other dead loads
- winds, earthquakes
what is a critical element to consider when laying out the ductwork design for the mechanical system?
duct sizing & ceiling clearances
when spread and strip footings carry load, the reaction of the earth induces bending, much like an inverted:
beam
what consideration should furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) be given during the programming phase?
impact on design of building
what should an architect consider when helping an owner select FFE?
- budget
- schedule
- spatial requirements
- effect of building codes
what is expandability?
the capacity of a building to be enlarged easily, or added onto as needs change or growth occurs
describe convertibility
allows an existing building or space to be changed to allow for a new use
what is versatility?
ability to use the same space for a variety of functions
with regards to the project budget, how are quantity and quality related?
a change in one will ultimately result in a change in the other
when considering an existing building, what would be concerns for a renovation?
- condition of exterior walls
- water damage
- surveying building will help prepare a rough breakdown of potential cost of saving the building
when considering an existing building, what would be concerns for preservation?
- affects cost and schedule
- an evaluation of the condition of the existing building will help determine if preservation is feasible
what is radial organization?
- directs flow in or out of a common center
- similar to how cities expand
in terms of programming and the cost of construction, what 4 factors can the architect not control?
- market conditions
- inflation & the cost of goods and services
- contractor means & methods of construction
- unknown site conditions
what would the budget be for a 50,000 sf new school building be if we used $150 per sf for construction cost?
$7.5 million
what 4 factors influence the cost of construction?
- scope: size, extent, design of building
- quality: level of finish, technology, detail
- schedule: timeline for completing the project
- experience: comfort and ability of the contractor to work w/ the systems and materials
what 5 ways can an architect influence the cost of a project?
- project size
- finish quality
- detail complexity
- program requirements
- number of trades used during construction
what 3 costs should the owner consider at the beginning of a project?
- initial costs
- future costs
- operational costs
what 5 factors are considered location factors when considering the design of a project?
- geographical
- geological
- guidelines and regulations
- contextual and environmental influences
- climate
