IDFX 1 - Programming & Site Analysis

Question 1

In terms of the programming process, what are three limitations of behavior observation as a technique for gathering information?

Answer 1

The limitations of this information-gathering technique include

• It cannot address why people are behaving the way they are
• It is only valid for one period of time
• It is accurate only when implemented by a skilled practicioner

Question 2

What four methods of gathering information are used in the programming process?

Answer 2

The four methods used in this process are

• client interviews
• questionnaires
• observation
• field surveys

Question 3

What is a common way to determine the floor area required for an activity?

Answer 3

A common way to determine this is to multiply the area required per person by the number of people.

Question 4

What range of percentages do space-planning efficiency ratios typically fall within?

Answer 4

These space planning ratios typically range from 60% to 80%.

Question 5

What is the net area or net assignable area of a building?

Answer 5

This is the actual area needed to accommodate specific functions, without taking into account primary circulation space or support spaces.

Question 6

In a leased space, what is considered to be rentable area?

Answer 6

This is the area available for assignment to a tenant within the perimeter walls of the tenant space, as well as private corridors, walls, and columns within the tenant space.

This areas may also include a proportionate share of public corridors, restrooms, an delevator lobbies shared by all tenants.

Question 7

In a leased space, what is considered to be usable area?

Answer 7

This is the area actually used for the space/s intended purpose, in addition to circulation spaces within the leased space and partitions and columns within the space.

Question 8

What is the efficient factor of a leased space?

Answer 8

This is the ratio of net area to usable area in the leased space.

Question 9

What two things must a designer know about a space before the necessary number of exits can be determined?

Answer 9

Before a designer can determine how many of these are needed, both the floor area and the occupancy group must be known.

Question 10

What are nine common biological contaminants often found in buildings?

Answer 10

Nine common ones are

• mold
• mildew
• bacteria
• viruses
• mites
• pollen
• animal
• dander
• dust
• insects

Question 11

What are five common hazardous materials found in existing buildings?

Answer 11

Five common ones are

• asbestos
• vermiculite
• PCDs (polychlorinated biphenyls)
• lead
• radon

Question 12

What is adaptive reuse?

Answer 12

This is the practice of reusing existing buildings and materials form buildings as much as possible.

Question 13

What is programming?

Answer 13

This is the process under during which all pertinent information about a project is collected an analyzed.

Question 14

According to the book Problem Seeking by William Pena, et.al., what are the five steps in the programming process?

Answer 14

The five steps in this process are:

1. establish goals
2. collect facts
3. uncover concepts
4. determine needs
5. state the problem

Question 15

How does a programmatic concept differ from a design concept?

Answer 15

The first is a performance requirement that is related to general methods of solving a problem or satisfying a need.

The second is a specific physical response that is an attempt to satisfy the first.

Question 16

In terms of the programming process, what are the three components of flexibility?

Answer 16

The three components of this aspect of programming are

• expandability
• convertibility
• versatility

Question 17

What are the four possible ratings for a LEED certified project?

Answer 17

From highest to lowest, the possible ratings for these projects are

• platinum
• gold
• silver
• certified

Question 18

What type of workflow is represented by this diagram?

Answer 18

This is a graphic representation of departmental workflow.

Question 19

What type of conceptual plan arrangement could be used as nondirectional way to focus attention on a space?

Answer 19

A centralized plan arrangement could be used to accomplish this.

Question 20

What type of circulation pattern is generally the most efficient and flexible?

Answer 20

A linear layout (also called a dumbbell layout) is generally the most efficient and flexible of these.

Question 21

What voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings was established by the U.S. Green Building Council?

Answer 21

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was established by this organization.

Question 22

What activities does the Greenguard Environmental Institute Conduct?

Answer 22

This organization tests products for acceptable indoor air quality standards and registers the products it certifies.

Question 23

What three activities does Scientific Certification Systems Conduct?

Answer 23

This organization certifies

• environmentally related product attributes
• environmentally preferable products
• well managed forests

Question 24

What is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)?

Answer 24

This nonprofit organization is devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests.

Question 25

What type of conceptual plan arrangement is represented here?

Answer 25

This is a representation of an axial plan.

Question 26

What type of volumetric relationship could be used to functionally and perceptually link two spaces?

Answer 26

An overlapping relationship could be used to accomplish this.

Question 27

In accessibility regulations, what type of provision might require that a certain percentage of seating in an area be accessible?

Answer 27

This is an example of a scoping provision.

Question 28

What is a design concept?

Answer 28

This is an idea or statement concerning an overall physical repsonse to ideas developed during programming.

Question 29

What is mixed occupancy?

Answer 29

This is a situation where a single building or interior space houses two or more different types of occupancies.

Question 30

How many construction types are there, and which has the highest fire resistance?

Answer 30

There are five of these, and Type I has the highest fire resistance.