Module 1

Question 1

What is the definition of Architectural Programming

Answer 1

Architectural Programming 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 (often put into a written document called a “Program”) is then used to help guide your decision making process in the design of the building.

If done correctly. Programming can ease the design process and improve the final result

Question 2

What four items should be considered during programming?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Describe the programming process.

Answer 3

1. Discuss the goals of the project with the Owner.
2. Organize all project specific information (codes, existing site conditions, building users, etc.).
3. Determine building hierarchy of spaces.
4. Determine priorities of the Owner.
5. Develop problem that must be solved through building design.

Question 4

Name five phases that are performed during programming.

Answer 4

1. Gathering Data: site surveys, existing conditions, desired use, building type, applicable building codes, zoning requirements, budget, schedule and project team information are all collected and organized.
2. Establishing Goals: the Architect interviews the Owner to identify the primary design goals and potential issues.
3. Mapping Functions: functional and spatial requirements are listed with their approximate size, important adjacencies and relationships to one another.
4. Setting Priorities: the uses and functions are listed in order of importance based on the budget, including where the attention and budget should be spent
5. Researching Requirements: detailed technical
   requirements are collected for any required equipment,
   systems, operations and performance.

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

True or False: Programming
and Architectural Design are
completely independent of
one another.

Answer 6

True.

During programming, the problems of the project are sought out and documented. During design, these problems are discussed and adequate solutions are developed.

During design, these problems are discussed
and adequate solutions are developed.

Question 7

What is an aquifer

Answer 7

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 8

What is a ground water table?

Answer 8

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 9

What is Soil Load Bearing

Capacity?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Soil types are classified based on:

Answer 10

The sizes of the particles of the soil.

Question 11

Name 4 soil types and their

capacities.

Answer 11

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 12

Name the soil types.

Answer 12

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

Sand: well drained and can serve ts 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 13

Which soil type is considered the best to build on?

Answer 13

Bedrock and Gravel.

Gravel: 2mm or greater; drains well, able to bear loads.

Sand: .05mm - 2mm; drains well, good foundation when graded.

Silt: .002mm - .05mm; stable when dry or damp, not wet. Swells when frozen.

Clay:

Question 14

Name the four different levels of soil.

Answer 14

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 15

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

Answer 15

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 16

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

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is a proctor test?

Answer 17

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 18

Define compaction and surcharging.

Answer 18

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 19

Why is the location of the frost line important?

Answer 19

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 due to moisture changes throughout the year.

Question 20

Define safe bearing capacity.

Answer 20

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 21

Describe the angle of repose.

Answer 21

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

Answer 23

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 24

What are 6 strategies to reduce energy use?

Answer 24

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 25

What are 5 strategies to reduce water use?

Answer 25

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 26

What is the maximum slope allowed for an accessible ramp?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

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

Answer 27

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 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

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

Answer 29

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 30

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

Answer 30

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 31

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

Answer 31

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 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

Describe the five basic fundamentals of physics that

affect internal building comfort.

Answer 33

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 34

What conditions could occur if a high water table is found

in a cold climate?

Answer 34

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 35

What is a water table?

Answer 35

The level of water below the surface of the

ground is referred to as the “water table”.

Question 36

Define indigenous materials.

Answer 36

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 37

What considerations should be given for exterior building

materials?

Answer 37

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 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

What is R-Value

Answer 39

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 R-value 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 40

Define Microclimate.

Answer 40

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 41

How does R-Value differ from U-Value?

Answer 41

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 42

What climatic considerations should be evaluated during

site design?

Answer 42

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 43

Define Macroclimate.

Answer 43

A Macroclimate refers to the general climate of the overall region

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

Answer 45

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 46

What site elements can be studied to determine the effect

of the microclimate on the site?

Answer 46

Location of plants and bodies of water.

Amount and location of sun exposure.

Prevailing wind patterns.

Ground surface coverage.

Question 47

Describe the four different climatic zones found in the US.

Answer 47

Cool Zone - areas of the Northern states.

Temperate Zone - areas of the West Coast.

Arid Zone - areas of midwestern and desert states.

Tropical Zone - areas of Southern states, particularly near the Gulf.

Question 48

Define Albedo.

Answer 48

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

Question 49

Define Conductivity.

Answer 49

Conductivity refers to a material’s ability to absorb light.
Grassy areas have low albedo levels and high conductivity. Paved areas have high albedo and low conductivity thus are often warmer than grassy areas.

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

Describe albedo and conductivity in relation to site elements.

Answer 51

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 52

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

Answer 52

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 53

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

Answer 53

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 54

What are the three primary reasons for landscape design?

Answer 54

1. Recreation
2. Circulation
3. Comfort

Question 55

Define a deciduous tree and name three species that fall under this category

Answer 55

Full with leaves through the Spring and Summer, providing shade. Leaves fall in the Autumn and expose bare branches through the Winter allowing sun to pass into a building. Deciduous species include maples, elms, oaks and sycamores.

Question 56

Your project program specifies that the site must be

protected from cold winter winds. What type of tree would be best suited for this condition?

Answer 56

Conifers are excellent wind breakers as they retain their dense needle filled branches year-round.

Question 57

Define a conifer and give two examples of this type of tree.

Answer 57

Needle like evergreens that do not shed leaves. Perfect when used as year-round wind breakers or privacy screens. Pines, such as spruce and firs, are the most common conifers.

Question 58

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

Answer 58

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 59

What purpose do deciduous trees serve best on a project site?

Answer 59

Deciduous trees are the best choice when a site requires shade in the Summer and heat from the sun in the Winter.

Question 60

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

Answer 60

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.