Design

Question 1

Acceptable surfacing for playground design

Answer 1

Shock absorbing, either recycled rubber or fibre mix.

Question 2

Locating utility corridors

Answer 2

When possible, site utilities corridors should be consolidated along previously disturbed areas or along new roads or walkway construction

Question 3

Efficient sites layout used what infrastructure and strategies?

Answer 3

Existing transportation infrastructure and alternative transportation strategies (e.g. mass-transit, carpooling, telecommuting)

Question 4

Gravity sewers

Answer 4

Should be included in layouts to avoid the need for pumping stations

Question 5

diurnal air currents

Answer 5

Daily variations in air currents

Question 6

Windward zone of a shelter belt

Answer 6

The area located on the shelter belt face towards the prevailing wind.

Question 7

How can a windward zone of a shelter belt be calculated

Answer 7

6 x height of shelter belt

Question 8

What siting should be considered for the windward zone of a shelter belt

Answer 8

Activities that do not require the benefit of cooling winds

Question 9

What is the leeward zone of a shelter belt

Answer 9

The area on the face opposite the prevailing winds

Question 10

How do you calculate a leeward zone of a shelterbelt

Answer 10

25 x height of shelterbelt

Question 11

How should design elements be sited within the leeward zone of a shelterbelt

Answer 11

Maximum protection from cooling winds in the 4-6H zone.
Maximum winter calm in cold climates can be achieved a 2H from the shelterbelt

Question 12

Where best to site parking and roads with a shelter belt and why

Answer 12

10-12H of the shelterbelt
Because at 15H the snowthrow turbulence is the most severe

Question 13

Shelterbelts are an effective means of —

Answer 13

Controlling airflow

Question 14

Most comfortable ratio of an enclosed space before it starts to to lack a sense of enclosure (vertical to horizontal)

Answer 14

1:4

Question 15

Average comfortable walking distance between activities or from parking areas

Answer 15

220m (700 feet)

Question 16

Which tends to recede into the landscape, light colours or dark

Answer 16

Dark colours recede

Question 17

When creating emphasis, is it better to use a lighter or darker colour

Answer 17

Lighter, darker recedes

Question 18

In what climate would you choose furniture elements that are nonmetallic or light in colour, and placed away from surfaces that reflect or radiate heat.

Answer 18

Hot climates

Question 19

In what climate would you select furniture that is dark in colour and placed so to take advantage of natural sun traps and avoid areas where snow is stock piled

Answer 19

Cold climates

Question 20

In what climate would you select a site furniture that drains well and is non-absorptive

Answer 20

Wet climates

Question 21

Material selection for Humid climates should keep what factors in mind

Answer 21

Material should be naturally decay and fungus-resistant, or specially treated to minimize mildew, rot, and staining.

Question 22

Exercise trails

Answer 22

Jogging trails with exercise stations located 135 - 180m apart

Question 23

Uses for plant material

Answer 23

Affecting microclimates, provide screening, circulation control, wildlife habitat, mitigate erosive slopes

Question 24

Generally speaking, each time the distance from a sound source is doubled, the sound does what?

Answer 24

Falls off 6dB(A)

Question 25

5 main factors that influence the effectiveness of a noise barrier

Answer 25

Distance, height, continuity, length and mass

Question 26

Generally, how can you characterize slopes

Answer 26

Steep, moderate, gradual, minimal and very slight

Question 27

What slope would be considered a “steep slope” and what are the design considerations for this context

Answer 27

Greater than 15%
Slab construction not cost effective
May have negative environmental impact of grading for roads, large structures, etc
Aspect may be an issue

Question 28

What slope would be considered “moderate” and what design considerations would be associated with this context?

Answer 28

8-15%
Not good for recreational uses such as ball fields
Parking might have issues
Slab construction is difficult, can be good for split level or terraced structures
Unpaved trails may erode

Question 29

What slope would be considered “gradual” and what are the design considerations associated with this context?

Answer 29

5-8%
Minimal grading required for many uses
Minimal construction costs
Will require accessible ramps

Question 30

What slope would be considered “minimal” and what design considerations are associated with this context?

Answer 30

3-5%
Minimal environmental impacts for grading roads, slab construction, etc.
Minimal construction costs
Does not need extensive ramping to be ada compliant

Question 31

What slope would be considered “very slight” and what are the design considerations associated with this context

Answer 31

3% or less
Good for sports fields
May have drainage issues

Question 32

Key concerns when developing a design

Answer 32

High and low points
Ridges and valleys
Drainage and overland flow patterns
Viewsheds / visibility blocked or maintained

Question 33

If a stream crossing is required where is the best place to locate it

Answer 33

Area of least impact (i.e. narrow woodlands or floodplain), NOT through a wetland

Question 34

What is the greatest (ideal) slope for high density use

Answer 34

5%

Question 35

Describe the effect on slope orientation on microclimate in northern hemisphere

Answer 35

West slope: indirect exposure to morning sun, exposure to hot afternoon sun. Exposure to both summer and winter wind.

South slope: exposure to sun throughout the day in the winter. Direct exposure to midday sun in the summer. Exposure to summer wind but protection from cold NW winter wind.

North slope: no direct sun exposure in the winter (cold) early morning and later afternoon sun exposure in the summer. Exposure to cold NW winds.

East slope: ?

Question 36

What are som design considerations of planting plans?

Answer 36

Cluster in uneven numbers
Draw at 75% of full mature scale
Group in masses
Draw with overlap of 1/4 - 1/3 dia of plant
One common species of plant material should dominate in quantity.
Choose visual character and environmental needs first

Question 37

Main features of a grid layout

Answer 37

Efficient, monotonous
Ease of navigation, invite higher speeds

Question 38

Main feature of deep narrow lots

Answer 38

Typically garage and front facing street
Typ. 3000-4800 sq. Ft
6-8.5 lots per acre
Typ. 40’ wide lot allows for 10’ side yard and 20’ garage and 25’ for house
Tends to create a view of all garage doors

Question 39

Main feature of wide, shallow lots

Answer 39

More space in between units
Longest dimension along street frontage
6-7 units per acres with lots of 3500 sq ft
Less yard, less desireable