ARE EXAM PREP EXAM 5 - 300 Questions Flashcards
Define the term Metes and Bounds.
The boundaries of the site described by their relation to True North. Also states the measurements and legal boundaries of the site.
What term would describe an industrial factory built in 1920 that is currently zoned for residential?
Non-conforming Use
What site would be best suited for a mat slab or pile foundation?
A site with a high water table.
Define meridians.
Longitudinal lines running North – South.
Define Microclimate.
Refers to the specific local conditions of the site.
Which wall and floor material will provide the most passive heat during the winter?
Concrete near south facing windows
Define Urban Renewal.
Federally funded programs, these are a type of Planned Unit Development involving rehabilitating an existing (often urban) property.
What is an Arterial street?
Also known as highways, they are continuous channels that connect with freeways (at the exits).
When would a pile or caisson foundation be necessary?
The site has soils with poor bearing capacity.
When considering contour lines on the site, in what direction should the building footprint be placed?
Parallel to the contour lines.
What is the best use for graywater in a building?
Irrigation and toilet water.
Describe a building exit as defined by the building code.
A door that directly leads to a stair or outdoor area.
What is humus?
Soft soil which is comprised of decomposed organic matter.
Define azimuth.
The angle between the sun and the horizon.
What happens during the Entitlement Phase?
Design documents are reviewed for approval
What are the downsides to creating a monoculture?
A monoculture is described as having only one type of building, which creates dull and predictable communities without any mix of uses.
When and why was the first zoning code introduced?
1916; to address the need for access to sunlight and air around tall buildings.
What is the primary reason for landscape design?
To create areas of circulation and comfort.
How does a variance affect the zoning code applicable to a particular site?
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.
In zoning terms, what is the purpose of building setbacks?
To allow access to light and air
What is a spread footing foundation?
A Spread Footing distributes the weight of the building directly to the soil.
What does the term “non-conforming use” mean in relation to the design of a site?
The site contains a building or structure built prior to the current zoning code and may remain in use.
Describe the comparison method of land valuation.
Compares nearby properties that have sold recently
Which exterior material will be most susceptible to deterioration from the elements?
Wood fencing
What is considered the “comfort zone” in terms of temperature and humidity?
63-71 degrees in winter and 66-75 degrees in the summer; 30-60% relative humidity.
What causes glare within a building?
Glare is caused by having too much contrast.
What is the best way to provide internal comfort in a building during a hot, summer day?
Overhangs on the west and south facing windows.
How much area should be dedicated per person in a public space where most people will be standing?
3 square feet
Which of the following climatic zones would be used to describe a site located in a desert?
Arid Zone
According to Clarence Perry, which is NOT one of the six elements that must exist for a neighborhood to function properly?
Commercial center becomes focal point of neighborhood.
Which is the best way to mitigate disturbance to existing trees a site?
Do not grade past the drip line of the tree.
Why is erosion undesirable?
Can severely weaken the soil of a site and cause damage or failure to building foundations.
Which of the following is NOT one of the seven items involved in the selection criteria process when evaluating a site for adaptive reuse?
Type of Foundation to use
What was the purpose of the City Beautiful Movement?
Integrate the design of landscaping with streets and buildings.
Which of the following is a Preliminary Survey?
A basic plan showing the boundaries, orientation (north) and possibly a few major features of the site.
What is the typical bearing capacity of compacted sand?
2,000 - 3,000 psf
Which of the following is an ownership where one party sells to another and then rents the property from the buyer?
Sale-and-leaseback
Which of the following is an example of a building designed with the human scale in mind?
A library with intimate study rooms as well as a large atrium with a clear hierarchy of space.
What is an exit discharge?
The route between the exit door and a safe public way.
What behavioral patterns could you study and identify in order to determine the needs of a building?
Circulation requirements & Site Access; Spatial requirements based on necessary tasks.
Which of the following defines a standard accessible parking stall?
9’x18’ with 5’ clear aisle for a standard stall and a 9’ clear aisle for van accessible parking.
What parking configuration is the most economical?
30 degree angled parking
Why are lower density developments typically more expensive than higher density developments?
Low density planning requires the infrastructure to be more spread out, less efficient and, therefore, more expensive.
Which subsurface condition would NOT affect the foundation design?
A south facing slope
What is FF&E?
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
What is required in order to obtain a building permit?
Approval from all the required agencies.
What is cut and fill?
Refers to regrading a sloping site in order to create a level area for a building foundation.
Why would an owner want to implement Value Engineering into a project?
Identifies potential areas of unnecessary expenditures.
What term allows you to build outside of the zoning code?
Conditional Use Permit
What is a friction pile?
A pile held in place by the soil.
Which advantage of adaptive reuse would be defined as Sustainability?
Existing buildings greatly reduce the amount of waste and new materials consumed in the project.
Which items are NOT included on a topographic survey?
Proposed slab plan dimensions
What is a water table?
The level of water below the surface of the ground.
What is “rainwater harvesting”?
Collection of rainwater from roofs and yards
What is alluvium?
Soil that has been deposited on a site by the movement of water, such as runoff.
Define thermal mass.
A material’s ability to absorb heat and cold
What type of cost estimation occurs during Schematic Design?
Based on the major elements of each building system, i.e. structure, MEP.
What can you do to drastically lower the cost of site development and improvement for a project?
Increase the density of the units on the site, which will enable them to share utilities and roadways.
Which term is defined as the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a factor of 2 to 4 times?
Safe Bearing Capacity
In what order does the Planning Department review the project during the permit approval process?
Planning reviews first
What is the term used by Kevin Lynch to describe how people react to urban areas in his book “The Image of the City”?
Urban Legibility
Define safe bearing capacity.
The Safe Bearing Capacity is the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a safety factor of 2 to 4 times.
Which is a primary purpose for the development of a zoning code?
Ensure incompatible types of building uses do not disturb residents (i.e.: putting a loud factory next to a quiet library).
Which of the following is the best example of adaptive reuse?
Converting an old factory building into apartments.
What purpose do deciduous trees serve best on a project site?
Providing shade.
Which of the following describes a typical treatment for a South facing window?
Provide overhangs for shading
Which of the following describes the Satellite Plan development pattern?
Variant of cluster plan but has a dominant center, often the original city.
Why is lead based paint considered a hazardous material if discovered in a building?
It can cause neurological disorders and birth defects.
Define compaction.
Compressing soils to release air trapped between the grains. Creates higher bearing capacity.
Which of the following describes a typical treatment for a North-facing window?
Provide clerestories for indirect light
Which site would be the best choice for a large building with several stories?
A site containing no humus, alluvium or loam.
What is an Exit Access?
Distance a building occupant would need to travel to reach an exit.
Which of Kevin Lynch’s five features of a common city describes centers of activity?
Nodes
How does nature play a role in the development of site and building design?
Embracing the natural features of a site help to limit the disturbance of it.
Which soil type tends to swell when frozen?
Silt - stable when dry or damp, not wet.
Which term grants you the ability to use a building for your proposed use even though the zoning code normally would not allow it?
Conditional Use Permit
Which of the following is NOT affected in terms of design by the construction type of a building?
Accessibility requirements
What site feature does NOT affect the microclimate of a site?
Proximity to Freeways - excessive traffic can increase site temperature and affect air quality.
During which phase are design documents reviewed and approved?
Entitlement Phase
What is a Performance Code?
A less formal code that allows the architect creativity in meeting the requirements
What type of development requires the infrastructure to be more spread out, is often less efficient and therefore more expensive?
Low Density
What is NOT one of the four standardized national codes used to create the building codes adopted by municipalities?
California Building Code (CBC)
What is a Catchment Area?
Region and population of a city that supports local facilities
What type of foundation would be best suited for a site with clays and silts found in the soil?
A Mat Slab or Pile/Caisson foundation
Which of the following helps protect against moisture intrusion by use of coatings on the foundation wall?
Bituminous coatings
Which of the following is NOT an obstacle in adaptive reuse?
The building may need an addition or replacement.
What is a plane in geometric terms?
Any three points in space with two-dimensions; it has width and length, but no thickness.
Which of the following items would be most affected by thermal expansion?
Copper water pipes
Which term describes the process in which a government can legally take property from a land owner?
Eminent Domain
