ARE EXAM PREP EXAM 5 - 300 Questions Flashcards

1
Q

Define the term Metes and Bounds.

A

The boundaries of the site described by their relation to True North. Also states the measurements and legal boundaries of the site.

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2
Q

What term would describe an industrial factory built in 1920 that is currently zoned for residential?

A

Non-conforming Use

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3
Q

What site would be best suited for a mat slab or pile foundation?

A

A site with a high water table.

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4
Q

Define meridians.

A

Longitudinal lines running North – South.

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5
Q

Define Microclimate.

A

Refers to the specific local conditions of the site.

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6
Q

Which wall and floor material will provide the most passive heat during the winter?

A

Concrete near south facing windows

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7
Q

Define Urban Renewal.

A

Federally funded programs, these are a type of Planned Unit Development involving rehabilitating an existing (often urban) property.

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8
Q

What is an Arterial street?

A

Also known as highways, they are continuous channels that connect with freeways (at the exits).

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9
Q

When would a pile or caisson foundation be necessary?

A

The site has soils with poor bearing capacity.

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10
Q

When considering contour lines on the site, in what direction should the building footprint be placed?

A

Parallel to the contour lines.

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11
Q

What is the best use for graywater in a building?

A

Irrigation and toilet water.

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12
Q

Describe a building exit as defined by the building code.

A

A door that directly leads to a stair or outdoor area.

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13
Q

What is humus?

A

Soft soil which is comprised of decomposed organic matter.

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14
Q

Define azimuth.

A

The angle between the sun and the horizon.

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15
Q

What happens during the Entitlement Phase?

A

Design documents are reviewed for approval

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16
Q

What are the downsides to creating a monoculture?

A

A monoculture is described as having only one type of building, which creates dull and predictable communities without any mix of uses.

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17
Q

When and why was the first zoning code introduced?

A

1916; to address the need for access to sunlight and air around tall buildings.

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18
Q

What is the primary reason for landscape design?

A

To create areas of circulation and comfort.

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19
Q

How does a variance affect the zoning code applicable to a particular site?

A

A variance is a request to deviate from some of the requirements of zoning (maximum height, minimum setbacks, etc.), because complying with these requirements would create financial hardship or practical construction challenges.

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20
Q

In zoning terms, what is the purpose of building setbacks?

A

To allow access to light and air

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21
Q

What is a spread footing foundation?

A

A Spread Footing distributes the weight of the building directly to the soil.

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22
Q

What does the term “non-conforming use” mean in relation to the design of a site?

A

The site contains a building or structure built prior to the current zoning code and may remain in use.

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23
Q

Describe the comparison method of land valuation.

A

Compares nearby properties that have sold recently

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24
Q

Which exterior material will be most susceptible to deterioration from the elements?

A

Wood fencing

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25
Q

What is considered the “comfort zone” in terms of temperature and humidity?

A

63-71 degrees in winter and 66-75 degrees in the summer; 30-60% relative humidity.

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26
Q

What causes glare within a building?

A

Glare is caused by having too much contrast.

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27
Q

What is the best way to provide internal comfort in a building during a hot, summer day?

A

Overhangs on the west and south facing windows.

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28
Q

How much area should be dedicated per person in a public space where most people will be standing?

A

3 square feet

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29
Q

Which of the following climatic zones would be used to describe a site located in a desert?

A

Arid Zone

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30
Q

According to Clarence Perry, which is NOT one of the six elements that must exist for a neighborhood to function properly?

A

Commercial center becomes focal point of neighborhood.

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31
Q

Which is the best way to mitigate disturbance to existing trees a site?

A

Do not grade past the drip line of the tree.

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32
Q

Why is erosion undesirable?

A

Can severely weaken the soil of a site and cause damage or failure to building foundations.

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33
Q

Which of the following is NOT one of the seven items involved in the selection criteria process when evaluating a site for adaptive reuse?

A

Type of Foundation to use

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34
Q

What was the purpose of the City Beautiful Movement?

A

Integrate the design of landscaping with streets and buildings.

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35
Q

Which of the following is a Preliminary Survey?

A

A basic plan showing the boundaries, orientation (north) and possibly a few major features of the site.

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36
Q

What is the typical bearing capacity of compacted sand?

A

2,000 - 3,000 psf

37
Q

Which of the following is an ownership where one party sells to another and then rents the property from the buyer?

A

Sale-and-leaseback

38
Q

Which of the following is an example of a building designed with the human scale in mind?

A

A library with intimate study rooms as well as a large atrium with a clear hierarchy of space.

39
Q

What is an exit discharge?

A

The route between the exit door and a safe public way.

40
Q

What behavioral patterns could you study and identify in order to determine the needs of a building?

A

Circulation requirements & Site Access; Spatial requirements based on necessary tasks.

41
Q

Which of the following defines a standard accessible parking stall?

A

9’x18’ with 5’ clear aisle for a standard stall and a 9’ clear aisle for van accessible parking.

42
Q

What parking configuration is the most economical?

A

30 degree angled parking

43
Q

Why are lower density developments typically more expensive than higher density developments?

A

Low density planning requires the infrastructure to be more spread out, less efficient and, therefore, more expensive.

44
Q

Which subsurface condition would NOT affect the foundation design?

A

A south facing slope

45
Q

What is FF&E?

A

Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment

46
Q

What is required in order to obtain a building permit?

A

Approval from all the required agencies.

47
Q

What is cut and fill?

A

Refers to regrading a sloping site in order to create a level area for a building foundation.

48
Q

Why would an owner want to implement Value Engineering into a project?

A

Identifies potential areas of unnecessary expenditures.

49
Q

What term allows you to build outside of the zoning code?

A

Conditional Use Permit

50
Q

What is a friction pile?

A

A pile held in place by the soil.

51
Q

Which advantage of adaptive reuse would be defined as Sustainability?

A

Existing buildings greatly reduce the amount of waste and new materials consumed in the project.

52
Q

Which items are NOT included on a topographic survey?

A

Proposed slab plan dimensions

53
Q

What is a water table?

A

The level of water below the surface of the ground.

54
Q

What is “rainwater harvesting”?

A

Collection of rainwater from roofs and yards

55
Q

What is alluvium?

A

Soil that has been deposited on a site by the movement of water, such as runoff.

56
Q

Define thermal mass.

A

A material’s ability to absorb heat and cold

57
Q

What type of cost estimation occurs during Schematic Design?

A

Based on the major elements of each building system, i.e. structure, MEP.

58
Q

What can you do to drastically lower the cost of site development and improvement for a project?

A

Increase the density of the units on the site, which will enable them to share utilities and roadways.

59
Q

Which term is defined as the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a factor of 2 to 4 times?

A

Safe Bearing Capacity

60
Q

In what order does the Planning Department review the project during the permit approval process?

A

Planning reviews first

61
Q

What is the term used by Kevin Lynch to describe how people react to urban areas in his book “The Image of the City”?

A

Urban Legibility

62
Q

Define safe bearing capacity.

A

The Safe Bearing Capacity is the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a safety factor of 2 to 4 times.

63
Q

Which is a primary purpose for the development of a zoning code?

A

Ensure incompatible types of building uses do not disturb residents (i.e.: putting a loud factory next to a quiet library).

64
Q

Which of the following is the best example of adaptive reuse?

A

Converting an old factory building into apartments.

65
Q

What purpose do deciduous trees serve best on a project site?

A

Providing shade.

66
Q

Which of the following describes a typical treatment for a South facing window?

A

Provide overhangs for shading

67
Q

Which of the following describes the Satellite Plan development pattern?

A

Variant of cluster plan but has a dominant center, often the original city.

68
Q

Why is lead based paint considered a hazardous material if discovered in a building?

A

It can cause neurological disorders and birth defects.

69
Q

Define compaction.

A

Compressing soils to release air trapped between the grains. Creates higher bearing capacity.

70
Q

Which of the following describes a typical treatment for a North-facing window?

A

Provide clerestories for indirect light

71
Q

Which site would be the best choice for a large building with several stories?

A

A site containing no humus, alluvium or loam.

72
Q

What is an Exit Access?

A

Distance a building occupant would need to travel to reach an exit.

73
Q

Which of Kevin Lynch’s five features of a common city describes centers of activity?

A

Nodes

74
Q

How does nature play a role in the development of site and building design?

A

Embracing the natural features of a site help to limit the disturbance of it.

75
Q

Which soil type tends to swell when frozen?

A

Silt - stable when dry or damp, not wet.

76
Q

Which term grants you the ability to use a building for your proposed use even though the zoning code normally would not allow it?

A

Conditional Use Permit

77
Q

Which of the following is NOT affected in terms of design by the construction type of a building?

A

Accessibility requirements

78
Q

What site feature does NOT affect the microclimate of a site?

A

Proximity to Freeways - excessive traffic can increase site temperature and affect air quality.

79
Q

During which phase are design documents reviewed and approved?

A

Entitlement Phase

80
Q

What is a Performance Code?

A

A less formal code that allows the architect creativity in meeting the requirements

81
Q

What type of development requires the infrastructure to be more spread out, is often less efficient and therefore more expensive?

A

Low Density

82
Q

What is NOT one of the four standardized national codes used to create the building codes adopted by municipalities?

A

California Building Code (CBC)

83
Q

What is a Catchment Area?

A

Region and population of a city that supports local facilities

84
Q

What type of foundation would be best suited for a site with clays and silts found in the soil?

A

A Mat Slab or Pile/Caisson foundation

85
Q

Which of the following helps protect against moisture intrusion by use of coatings on the foundation wall?

A

Bituminous coatings

86
Q

Which of the following is NOT an obstacle in adaptive reuse?

A

The building may need an addition or replacement.

87
Q

What is a plane in geometric terms?

A

Any three points in space with two-dimensions; it has width and length, but no thickness.

88
Q

Which of the following items would be most affected by thermal expansion?

A

Copper water pipes

89
Q

Which term describes the process in which a government can legally take property from a land owner?

A

Eminent Domain