Environmental & Contextual Conditions

Question 1

What is the definition of Architectural Programming?

Answer 1

Refers to an important early part of the design process, where you identify and organize the architectural, functional, aesthetic, operational and budgetary needs of your client. This information is then used to guide decision making.

Question 2

Name the five phases that are performed during programming:

Answer 2

1. Gathering Data
2. Establishing Goals
3. Mapping Function
4. Setting Priorities
5. Researching Requirements

Question 3

What are four items that should be considered during programming?

Answer 3

1. Building Function
2. Building Form
3. Project Budget
4. Project Schedule

Question 4

Describe the programming process

Answer 4

1. Discuss the goals of the project with the owner
2. Organize all projects specific information
3. Determine building hierarchy of spaces
4. Determine priorities of the owner
5. Develop problem that must be solved through building design

Question 5

If done correctly, Programming should

Answer 5

1. Clarify the Owner’s intentions.
2. Set a mutually agreed upon direction
   for the design.
3. Reduce change orders during
   construction.
4. Minimize disputes between Owner and
   Architect
5. Establish a basis for resolving
   differences of opinion.
6. Minimize redundancy from wasted
   spaces or poor relationships.

Question 6

What is an aquifer?

Answer 6

An aquifer is a layer of water flowing underground, sometimes referred to as an
underground stream.

The presence of an aquifer could supply fresh water to the building, or limit the
depth of the foundations.

Question 7

What is Soil Load

Bearing Capacity?

Answer 7

Bearing capacity refers to the maximum amount of pressure a foundation soil can bear without harmful settlement.

Question 8

Name 4 soil types and

their capacities.

Answer 8

1. Bedrock: 10,000 psf (pounds per square foot)
2. Well graded gravel or sand: 3,000 – 12,000 psf
3. Compacted sand or fill: 2,000 – 3,000 psf
4. Silt or Clay: 1,000 – 4,000 psf

Question 9

What is a ground water

table?

Answer 9

The layer below the surface soil when it is saturated soil. Sometimes this water table
is 2 feet below the surface, sometimes it is 200 feet below.

The depth of the water table will determine the type of foundation you can use, if you will need expensive waterproofing, or if a
basement would even be possible.

Question 10

Soil types are classified

based on:

Answer 10

The sizes of the particles of the soil.

Question 11

Name the soil types.

Answer 11

Gravel: well drained and able to bear loads (+2 mm)

Sand: well drained and can serve as foundation when graded (0.5 - 2 mm)

Silt: stable when dry, swells when frozen, do not use when wet (.002 - .05 mm)

Clay: must be removed, too stiff when dry and too plastic when wet (< .002 mm)

Question 12

Which soil type is considered the best to build on?

Answer 12

Bedrock and Gravel

Question 13

What is a percolation
test and when would it
be used?

Answer 13

A Percolation Test is used to evaluate the rate at which soil will absorb water on a site.

This test is necessary for septic draining or leach fields.

Question 14

What is a proctor test?

Answer 14

A Proctor Test is used to calculate the maximum density that is required for the soil on a project site.

This test evaluates the native soils in both dry and wet conditions to determine the potential negative qualities of the soil.

It is performed by dropping a hammer on a sample of soil several times and then dried for a period of time.

Question 15

Name the four different

levels of soil.

Answer 15

Level A - Topsoil, essential for growth of plants and takes a long time to develop.
Level B - Minerals, lies below the plants roots and supports life.
Level C - Weathered and fractured rock with little biological activity.
Level D - Solid bedrock.

Question 16

Can soil bearing
capacity be increased?
If so, how?

Answer 16

Soils can increase bearing capacity by: fill, compaction, or surcharging.

Question 17

Define compaction and

surcharging.

Answer 17

Compaction - compressing soils to release air trapped between the grains. Creates
higher bearing capacity.

Surcharging - adding soils to a site in order to increase the weight on the soils and aid in compaction. Lengthy process could take
6-12 months.

Question 18

Why is the location of the frost line important?

Answer 18

The frost line indicates the level where soil freezes.
The top of footings should be at or below the frost line, which avoids damage to the
foundation de to moisture changes throughout the year.

Question 19

Describe the angle of repose.

Answer 19

The Angle of Repose describes how soils form mounds when loose.
Sand and gravel are stiff soils and will have steeper angles of repose as compared to soft silts and clays.

Question 20

What should you do if you discover large quantities of organic soils on a site?

Answer 20

This soil will likely need to be removed and replaced with an appropriate fill material.
Otherwise, foundation piles would need to extend through to solid bedrock or bearing soils.

Question 21

Define safe bearing capacity.

Answer 21

The Safe Bearing Capacity is the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a safety factor of 2 to 4 times.
This ensures the site will not endure the full ultimate bearing capacity and helps to avoid structural failure.

Question 22

Define Ecology.

Answer 22

Ecology is the science of the relationship between an organism or community and its environment.
The community comprises of all the living plants and animals occupying a given area.

Question 23

What are 6 strategies to reduce energy use?

Answer 23

1. Install solar panels
2. Increase the amount of insulation in the walls
3. Use insulated windows
4. Orient building to sun to control heat gain
5. Install light colored roof
6. Use efficient light bulbs

Question 24

What are 5 strategies to

reduce water use?

Answer 24

1. Use drip irrigation system for landscaping
2. Use low-flow or waterless toilets
3. Use native species and drought tolerant plants
4. Collect graywater from showers and laundry and reuse to water yard or flush toilets
5. Collect rainwater for reuse

Question 25

Describe how to determine the grade or slope of a site.

Answer 25

``` g = V/H(100) g = the grade of slope V = the rise or vertical distance H = the run or horizontal distance Multiply by 100 to convert into a percentage. ```

Question 26

Name 4 general rules of thumb for site grading and what they are best used for.

Answer 26

Less than 4% slope is considered flat and suitable for all activities. 4% - 10% is moderate and requires some effort to climb or descend. 10% - 50% is steep and suitable only for limited activity. 50%+ is considered very steep and is subject to soil erosion or collapse.

Question 27

What is the maximum slope allowed for an accessible ramp?

Answer 27

Handicapped ramp slopes must be a 1:12 slope (1' rise for every 12' run). 1/12 (100) = 8.3% slope

Question 28

45 degrees translates to what percentage of slope?

Answer 28

100% slope as rise over run is 1 to 1 or 1/1

Question 29

Why is solar orientation important when laying out a site design?

Answer 29

The more perpendicular the sun's rays are to the site, the greater the amount of solar radiation received. It is important to note the amount of solar radiation received in order to design a building that maintains a consistent internal temperature.

Question 30

What factors of sun radiation should be taken into consideration when designing a site?

Answer 30

Time of Day - how much sun in received on site in the morning compared to the afternoon. Azimuth - the angle between the sun and the horizon. Summer sun has a larger azimuth than Winter sun. Duration of Sun Exposure - sites in the Northern Hemisphere have more hours of sunlight in the summer than in the winter. Slope of Site - ground slope affects the amount of solar energy the site receives.

Question 31

Describe the five basic fundamentals of physics that take advantage of solar siting that affect internal building comfort.

Answer 31

Hot air rises - Placing vents or windows in the correct location can help create cooling breezes. High summer sun - Well positioned overhangs can shade the home and keep it cooler in the summer. Low winter sun - The sunlight passes under any overhangs to reach into the home and keep it warm. Thermal mass - Heavy mass materials (such as concrete, stone, brick or even water) store heat and cold. When the temperature changes, these materials release the stored temperature back into the air. Insulation - A well insulated building is required in order to hold in the interior temperature and keep out the outside one.

Question 32

How does the level of the water table on the site affect the design of the foundation?

Answer 32

If the water table is located less than 6' below the surface, this is considered high and will limit foundation design. A mat slab or pile foundation may be necessary in order to evenly distribute the loads of the building on site.

Question 33

What conditions could occur if a high water table is found in a cold climate?

Answer 33

High water tables in cold climates are especially problematic since water expands as it freezes. The wrong type of foundation could crack or settle if the water table freezes and pushes it upward.

Question 34

Define indigenous materials.

Answer 34

Most sites contain materials and resources that could potentially be used in the building. Such locally found materials are called indigenous materials and don't require transportation or import.

Question 35

What considerations | should be given for exterior building materials?

Answer 35

Materials used on the exterior of a building must withstand the elements. Durable materials should be selected to extend the useful life of the materials. The local conditions should help determine the appropriate materials.

Question 36

What is R-Value?

Answer 36

Insulation is measured in R-Value. The higher the R-Value, the more insulation value the material has. Since materials like wood and siding have a small R-value, we typically add high Rvalue insulating material into the walls. The thicker the walls, the more insulation it can hold, and therefore the more R-value the wall has.

Question 37

How does R-Value differ from U-Value?

Answer 37

The insulating value of windows is measured in U-value, which is actually just 1/R-value. Since it is the inverse of R-value, the lower the U-value, the more insulation value it has.

Question 38

Describe thermal mass and its importance to building design.

Answer 38

The ability of a material to store temperature is referred to as thermal mass. If insulation is how a material is able to hold in temperature, thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb and store temperature. Since these materials take a long time to heat up and cool down, we can use high thermal mass materials to help keep the building a consistent and regular temperature.

Question 39

Define Microclimate.

Answer 39

A Microclimate refers to the specific local conditions of the site. It's affected by the vegetation, elevation, slope, water, wind, solar exposure and any man-made structures.

Question 40

What climatic considerations should be evaluated during site design?

Answer 40

Temperature - comfort zone ranges between 63-71 degrees in winter and 66-75 degrees in the summer. Humidity - comfort zone ranges between 30-60% relative humidity. Solar Radiation - lack of natural lighting in winter can cause depression. Air Movement - breezes promote evaporation thus maintaining consistent humidity levels. Air Pollution - natural weather patterns can magnify the effects of man-made pollution.

Question 41

Define Macroclimate.

Answer 41

A Macroclimate refers to the general climate of the overall region

Question 42

What are four site conditions that can affect the microclimate of a site?

Answer 42

Site Latitude - areas closer to the Equator are warmer than those further away. Site Elevation - the height above sea level affects, rain and snow fall as well as temperature. Prevailing Winds - depending on the location, winds on a site can impact air temperature. Proximity to Water - bodies of water provide humidity and can help maintain site temperature. Proximity to Mountains - mountains direct prevailing winds to rise, which cools them and forms clouds. Topography - steep sloping sites can increase wind velocity thus decreasing site temperature.

Question 43

Describe the four different climatic zones found in the US.

Answer 43

1. Cool Zone - areas of the Northern states. 2. Temperate Zone - areas of the West Coast. 3. Arid Zone - areas of Midwestern and desert states. 4. Tropical Zone - areas of Southern states, particularly near the Gulf.

Question 44

What is the difference | between a macroclimate and a microclimate?

Answer 44

A Macroclimate refers to the climate of a region, like a county or area like Southern California. A Microclimate refers to the climate on a particular site. Microclimate is affected by bodies of water present on the site, ground slope (mountains often have more wind than flat areas) and solar radiation (north facing sites have less sun than south facing in the Northern Hemisphere).

Question 45

What site elements can be studied to determine the effect of the microclimate on the site?

Answer 45

1. Location of plants and bodies of water. 2. Amount and location of sun exposure. 3. Prevailing wind patterns. 4. Ground surface coverage.

Question 46

Define Albedo.

Answer 46

Albedo is a measure of the reflectivity of a material. | Snow has a high albedo (blinding light) while grass has a low albedo.

Question 47

Define Conductivity.

Answer 47

Conductivity refers to a material's ability to absorb light.

Question 48

Describe albedo and conductivity in relation to site elements.

Answer 48

Albedo: the radiant energy that is reflected by a surface where 0 is a flat black surface that absorbs heat and 1 is a mirror. Conductivity: the rate at which heat passes through a material. Metals have high conductivity, and soils/sand have a low one.

Question 49

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

Answer 49

Use large overhangs to shade the house from the southern and western sun for most of the day. Inside, use a thick concrete wall to absorb heat.

Question 50

``` How is a space heated at night during the winter if it contains thick concrete walls and floors and has large windows facing South? ```

Answer 50

The low winter sun warms the south side of the house all day. A stone or concrete floor stores up the heat. Hot air is allowed to build up by the ceiling. Stored heat in the floor and walls is released during the night, to keep the house comfortable.

Question 51

How does proper building siting affect the views for a project?

Answer 51

Buildings can also be sited to create an axis to draw your eyes toward the view and enclose the outdoor space. Undesirable views can be avoided by locating service or utility spaces to face or block them.

Question 52

What are the three primary reasons for landscape design?

Answer 52

1. Recreation 2. Circulation 3. Comfort

Question 53

How does "smart landscaping" help act as a natural heat buffer on a site?

Answer 53

Trees can help screen and direct winds on the site. Trees and vegetation absorb sunlight and add humidity to the air. Planted areas are cooler during hot summer days.

Question 54

Name 5 ways you can mitigate disturbance to local flora and fauna when designing a site.

Answer 54

Designate no disturbance zones. Re-plant disturbed areas to other parts of the site. Minimize disturbance to natural site water supplies. Minimize night site lighting to not disturb fauna. Maintain wildlife use corridors throughout the site.

Question 55

Name four ways | programming information can be gathered.

Answer 55

In-person interviews with the Owner or their staff Visiting similar types of facilities Direct observation of your Client Research of case studies of similar projects

Question 56

List some of the best ways to research unfamiliar projects?

Answer 56

``` Researching case studies Visiting existing projects Paying for research (Dodge Reports, for example) Hiring special cost estimating consultants ```

Question 57

What specific information are you looking for in aerial | photos of a proposed site?

Answer 57

Visual characteristics Vegetation character Potential problem areas during construction: silt, erosion, etc.

Question 58

In regards to the topography of a proposed site why is the quality and absorption of soil of concern?

Answer 58

Drainage

Question 59

Which site opportunity will be most impactful when considering septic system capacity?

Answer 59

Geo Technical

Question 60

In site assessment what are two considerations specific to fire protection?

Answer 60

Local Fire Services | Fire risk of area

Question 61

List three potential consequences of overlooking environmental regulations.

Answer 61

Disruption from construction Increased project cost Scheduling delays

Question 62

Describe two best case scenarios regarding rain drainage on site.

Answer 62

Falls onto the site and run downhill around the building A building shape that doesn’t allow runoff to be directed back against the building.

Question 63

Name the three major geo technical considerations.

Answer 63

1. Runoff 2. Ground Water Table 3. Aquifer

Question 64

Name two things that | soil type effects.

Answer 64

Foundation Flow of water into the ground