Building Analysis & Programming Flashcards
What considerations should an Architect give a program for a project that will be separated into several phases?
Programming may uncover clear opportunities to construct the building in phases.
The budget or schedule may require the building be built in stages. Finding clear and logical portions to build in phases is an important skill in the design process.
Staging refers to providing areas to store building materials, supplies, tools, vehicles and construction equipment.
Depending on the program requirements, the project might require staging areas to keep materials cool and dry, or require access for
special equipment, like cranes or concrete
trucks.
How should an
Architect approach the
layout and design of
interior spaces?
Space planning encompasses the heart of interior design. Definition of spatial areas, zones of furniture/ equipment, and weaving circulation patterns - all contribute to life, productivity and comfort.
These spaces and patterns grow from the template of
client’s preferences and priorities, structure of the
facility, and the connections within them. In addition,
required space, furniture standards, building codes and accessibility standards then continue to refine the
design.
The flow of people and information within a space
should be facilitated and flexible for future growth and
needs. The design also must exercise constraint, caution,
and creativity through the elements of privacy, security,
and fixed structural and building systems.
Which form of spatial
organization allows for
future expansion and
growth?
Clustered Organization - Due to its flexible nature, spaces can change with ease and
accept future growth. The tool of proximity accommodates various forms and functions. Compactness and geometrical order are not primary features, if at all.
What 4 conditions are
out of the Architect’s
control when it comes
to cost estimates?
- Market Conditions
- Inflation and the Cost of Good & Services
- Contractor Means & Methods of Construction
- Unknown Site Conditions
For the Programming
phase, what are 3 ways
cost estimates can be
performed?
- Based on a unit cost system, such as cost per hospital bed, cost per theater seat.
- Historical Data based on similar type of projects previously completed.
- Cost per square foot.
What is the Quantity
Survey Method of
construction cost
estimating?
This detailed method of measuring typically benefits contractors’ understanding of construction cost. It is not typically used by Architects. This method takes elements of fixtures separately - measuring lengths of pieces, even trims and fittings.
Knowledge of construction means and methods aids calculation of waste, labor, length of time for installation, types of equipment needed for trades, as well as allowances for contractor’s overhead and profit. It yields a far more accurate picture of what the construction cost
would be upon completion.
In a basic sense, what must be considered when designing the structural system of a building?
The vast range of physical loads also shape the elements of the structure: animated and inanimate objects, as well as resistance to anticipated and unanticipated loads.
Materials, equipment and other dead loads, and varying loads - such as snow, ponding of water on the roof, wind and earthquake - must be calculated and elements properly sized for.
International and building codes direct structural choices as well. If conflicting
information appears in building codes, the most stringent one prevails.
What is a critical element to consider when laying out the ductwork design for the mechanical system?
Due to the significant sizing of ducts, ceiling clearance must be provided and
considered in the design phases of a project. Main ducts branching directly from the centralized system - measure considerably large, where as ducts branching from them diminish in diameter run to service spaces.
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?
The FF&E selections can have a considerable impact on the design of the
building. You should figure out these potential impacts during the programming
phase to ensure your design can work with the clients needs.
What should an
Architect consider when
helping an Owner select
FFE?
- Budget
- Schedule
- Spatial requirements
- Effect of building codes
- MEP/Structural requirements.
What is Expandability?
The capacity of a building to be enlarged easily or added onto as needs change or
growth occurs. This allows the building to accommodate growth with expansion.
Describe Convertibility.
Allows an existing building or space to be changed to allow for a new use. For
example: a school assembly hall may be later converted into classrooms in a future
construction phase.
What is Versatility?
The ability to use the same space for a variety of functions. This allow for
maximum use of the space and provides for several different activities.
With regards to the
project budget, how are
Quantity and Quality
related?
Quality and Quantity are related in that a change in one will ultimately result in a change in the other.
Sometimes these changes may be negative, such as if an Owner decides to increase the quantity of an item in the building and thus will have to reduce the quality in order to keep the budget the same.
When considering an
existing building, what
would be concerns for a
Renovation?
The condition of building might require most of the walls to be replaced. Old water damage might have brought stains or mold
that would require extensive replacement of drywall/plaster.
Certain conditions might be cheaply solved with a new coat of paint, while others
require more extensive (and expensive) work. Surveying the building(s) will help
prepare a rough breakdown of the potential cost of saving and renovating the building.
When considering an
existing building, what
would be concerns for
Preservation?
If the building was built in a desirable historical style (or is officially listed on the
National Historic Register), preserving it to restore it to it’s former glory could be part of the project. This could greatly affect the
cost and schedule or the project, but could also create an incredible design
opportunity.
An evaluation of the condition of the existing building will help determine if preservation is feasible.
What is Radial
Organization?
the radial system directs flow in or out of a common center, with straight channels of circulation radiating from this center point.
Radial systems are the patterns that circulation routes follow as cities expand. Congestion grows as these radial routes
converge at the center. To avoid this congestion, a series of bypasses can be introduced (beltways or ring roads).
In terms of Programming and the cost of construction, what 4 factors can the Architect not control?
- Market Conditions
- Inflation and the Cost of Goods and Services
- Contractor Means & Methods of Construction
- Unknown Site Conditions
What 4 factors
influence the cost of
construction?
- Scope: the size, extent and design of the building
- Quality: level of finish, technology and detail
- Schedule: the timeline for completing the project, faster schedules typically
cost more money - Experience: the comfort and ability of the contractor to work with 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
Asking the right questions to the owner will have considerable impact on the design and cost of the building. For example, list two out of three questions you could ask to clarify the owner’s vision on building volume.
What feeling do you want to convey to visitors?
Will there be any performance areas?
Are there any special ventilation requirements that would trigger a higher ceiling?
Bearing walls carry load in
compression from members above, often beams or a floor or roof system. They transmit load downward, often directly to the
foundation but sometimes to a beam. What is the
typical construction?
Wood studs
Reinforced masonry
Reinforced concrete
In the exam they are using a
very precise language representing a specific context. For example when
they use the term ‘water’
what context are they alluding to?
Leaks
If a proposed building project has 30+ stories with minimal construction time and you want strong lightweight and easy to assemble materials.
What are two possible options?
Steel Framing
Site or precast concrete
What are the 4 most
common structural
materials?
- Wood
- Brick Masonry
- Steel
- Concrete
What are the four measurable physical properties of Wood, Brick Masonry, Steel, Concrete?
- Allowable tensile strength
- Allowable compressive strength
- Density (pounds per cubic foot)
- Modulus of elasticity
Name the 6 major systems you will have to consider in each building project.
- Architectural
- Structural
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Civil
Of the 6 major systems (architectural, civil, structural,
mechanical, electrical, and
plumbing) name 3 out of the 6 factors that will determine the appropriateness of various options within each
major system.
- Building type
- Function
- Program
- Availability
- Schedule
- Cost
What are ‘contingencies’?
Additional amounts added to the project budget to account for unforeseen conditions.
Roofs carry their own weight and live loads as defined in the building code. They consist of flat materials
that carry load to other members by reacting in bending. They transmit load downward to walls or columns. What are 3 typical roof construction options?
Plywood, usually on wood joists or trusses
Reinforced concrete
Steel decking, sometimes with concrete
If the building has exposed
structure and you want fire
protection and heat resistance, what are two of
the best options?
All concrete structure
Heavy Timber
What is Historical Price
Data?
Utilizing costs from previous projects of similar size and scope.
What does it mean to
‘Focus on Function’?
Rather than getting carried away by the potential of a single item, such as building
systems or finishes, it’s wise to view these components as pieces of the whole
building’s function.
For the sake of the exam, in what order do you place stackable items within your programming diagrams?
First
Name the five elements
that are potentially
beneficial to stack at
least to a degree.
Bathrooms, fire stairs, chases/shafts, atrium, escalators.
