Design & Communication Techniques

Question 1

Graphic Scale

Answer 1

ratio of a measuring unit to the fill size item it represents
3 types:
-architect’s scale (inches) (1/4” = 1’ - 0”)
-metric scale (SI Metric Units) (1:50)
-engineers scale (feet and fractions) (1” = 40’)
2 main parts of a scale:
- 1’ segment showing fractions of an inch
- remained marked off in full foot increments

Question 2

CADD

Answer 2

Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Question 3

Commonly used scales

Answer 3

1/16” - large floor plans
1/8” - floor plans
1/4” - floor plans, int. elev, bldg sections
3/8” - complex int. elev or bldg sections
1/2” - enlarged floor plans
1” - simple details
1.5” - ceiling details, cabinet details
3” - door, cabinet, other complex details

Question 4

Plans

Answer 4

Floor plan - above view cut at 4’
Roof plan - only showing roof
Site plan - shows roof and ground
RCPs - mirror of ceiling

Question 5

Elevations

Answer 5

view of the side of an object

shows vertical dimensions of things on a wall or in a room

Question 6

Sections

Answer 6

view of an object if cut and one portion has been removed
shows cuts through solids and voids
solid portions are hatched to show material
heavy profile lines

Question 7

Axons

Answer 7

3 types:
isometric - 3 dimensional view
dimetric - 2 of the principle axes are shortened
trimetric - all three principle axes are shortened

Question 8

Oblique Drawings

Answer 8

3 dimensional view of an object where one plane is parallel to the picture plane

Question 9

Perspective Drawings

Answer 9

use convergence which is the apparent diminishing size of objects as they get further from the eye
Lines all go towards a vanishing point
one point perspective - pov is perpendicular to one of the planes of the object
two point perspective - when the point of view is at normal eye level and is not perpendicular to any plane of the object
PP - Picture Plane
SP - Station Point
HL - Horizontal Line
VPL - Left Vanishing Point
VPR - Right Vanishing Point

Question 10

Models

Answer 10

two types:

1. presentation model - very detailed and accurate
2. study models - rough models used to aid understanding of 3d space

Question 11

Written Program

Answer 11

title page & introduction
summary
goals & objectives
summary of space needs
space adjacencies
code requirements
analysis of existing space
budget and schedule
programming concepts
appendices

Question 12

Presentation techniques

Answer 12

goals to elicit client comments on the conclusions and to get approval so design can proceed.
for larger groups a presentation board/electronic presentation may be used

Question 13

Communication for Materials and Furnishings

Answer 13

done with sample boards
photographs of furniture
actual samples with sketches, perspectives to aid

Question 14

Field Measuring

Answer 14

when existing drawings are not provided
sketch building floor plan/elevations/casework/plumbing/ceiling etc. roughly to scale
add measurements
accuracy of 1/4” is sufficient
use measurements taken to draft a floor plan
discrepancies of 8” or more indicate a mistake was made

Question 15

EDM & REDM (Measuring tools and techniques)

Answer 15

EDM - electronic distance measurer (very accurate)

REDM - reflectorless electronic distance measurer (accurate)

Question 16

Rectified Photography (Measuring tools and techniques)

Answer 16

large format film based camera views for facades that dimensions can be taken from

Question 17

Orthophotography (Measuring tools and techniques)

Answer 17

Similar to Rectified photography but with digital images

Question 18

Photogrammetry (Measuring tools and techniques)

Answer 18

surveying of objects or spaces by using photos and software

Question 19

Stereophotogrammetry (Measuring tools and techniques)

Answer 19

uses two overlapping photos at different angles used to create a 3D drawing on a computer

Question 20

Convergent photogrammetry (Measuring tools and techniques)

Answer 20

uses multiple oblique photos of an object taken @ diff angles. measurements and 3D models are derived using software

Question 21

Laser Scanning (Measuring tools and techniques)

Answer 21

uses medium range pulsing laser beams which systematically sweep over an object or space to obtain 3D coordinates of points on surfaces of object or space being scanned

Question 22

Determining total required area

Answer 22

total amount of space required to accommodate clients needs should be calculated through code by multiplying the amount of space needed per person by # of people in the same area
If leasing, the rentable space must be determined

Question 23

Net Area

Answer 23

does not include circulation or incidental space (closets, columns, walls)

Question 24

Efficiency Factor

Answer 24

mathematical ratio of one area to another per building type
take into account the required circulation space needed per tenant, as well as non usable area
range from 0.60 to 0.80
- this means approx. 20% - 40% of net area is devoted to non usable areas

Question 25

Occupant area

Answer 25

total portion of a building being actively used by a tenant

Question 26

Estimated Required Occupant Area

Answer 26

calculated by dividing the net area by the efficiency factor.

Question 27

Determining rentable area

Answer 27

Common building areas include shared corridors, restrooms, elevator lobbies, mechanical rooms, vending areas…
rentable area is the product of the tenant’s occupant area and a load factor to account for the shared portion of the building

Question 28

BOMA

Answer 28

Building Owners and Managers Association - produces standards detailing common methods of measuring space for retail, industrial, multi residential, and mixed use buildings.

Question 29

IFMA

Answer 29

International Facility Mangement Association also produces standards that give methods for measuring space

Question 30

When office lease space only occupies a portion of a floor

Answer 30

if glass is >50% of wall area, occupant area is measured from inside glass surface to finish inside face of interior wall (to shared space) and to the centerline of the walls shared by other tenants
if glass is <50% of wall area, space is measured to inside surface of exterior wall

Question 31

When a tenant occupies an entire floor

Answer 31

occupant area includes all the space taken by the base building circulation, as well as the elevator lobby

base building circulation is the minimum path on a multi-occupant floor necessary for access to and egress from occupant areas, elevators, stairs, restrooms, janitors closets, and similar areas

Question 32

Sheet Sizes

Answer 32

Office will usually use two sizes depending on project
size based on:
1. architectural system
2. ANSI system
3. International Organization for Standardization system (ISO)

Question 33

Sheet Sizes (dimensions)

Answer 33

Arch A - 9 x 12
Arch B - 12 x 18
Arch C - 18 x 24
Arch D - 24 x 36
Arch E - 36 x 48
Arch F - 30 x 42

ANSI A - 8.5 x 11
ANSI B - 11 x 17
ANSI C - 17 x 22
ANSI D - 22 x 34
ANSI E - 34 x 44

Question 34

Title Blocks

Answer 34

designer/firm name and information
consultants names and information
project title and address
owner name and address
project number
professional stamps/seals
revision column
sheet title and number
drawn/checked/approved by
key plan
scale
north arrow
notes/legends

Question 35

Reference Systems

Answer 35

drawing number combined with sheet number (6/A101)

Question 36

UDS

Answer 36

Uniform Drawing System

Question 37

CSI

Answer 37

Construction Specifications Institute

Question 38

BIM

Answer 38

Building Information Modeling