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ARE 5.0 PA > Module 1 - Environmental & Contextual Conditions > Flashcards

Module 1 - Environmental & Contextual Conditions Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of Architectural Programming?

A

Researching and defining the architectural, functional, aesthetic, operational, and budgetary needs of your client.

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2
Q

Name 5 phases that are performed during programming.

A
  1. Gathering Data
  2. Establishing Goals
  3. Mapping Functions
  4. Setting Priorities
  5. Researching Requirements
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3
Q

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

A

True.

During programming, the problems of the project are sought out and documented.

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

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4
Q

What 4 items should be considered during programming?

A
  1. Building Function
  2. Building Form
  3. Project Budget
  4. Project Schedule
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5
Q

Describe the programming process.

A
  1. Discuss goals with owner.
  2. Organize all project specific information (codes, EXG site conditions, building users, etc.)
  3. Determine hierarchy of spaces.
  4. Determine priorities of the Owner.
  5. Develop the problem to be solved through design.
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6
Q

If done correctly, programming should do what?

A
  1. Clarify Owner’s intentions.
  2. Set 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.
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7
Q

What is an aquifer?

A

A layer of water flowing underground, AKA an underground stream.

Aquifers could supply fresh water to the building or limit the depth of the foundations.

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8
Q

What is Soil Load Bearing Capacity?

A

Refers to the maximum amount of pressure a foundation soil can bear without harmful settlement.

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9
Q

What is a Ground Water Table?

A

The layer below the surface soil where it is saturated soil. Can be 2’ below surface or 200’ below.

This depth can determine foundation type, waterproofing costs, and determine.

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10
Q

Name 4 types of soils & their capacities.

A

Bedrock:10k psf

Well-graded gravel or sand: 3k-12k psf

Compacted sand or fill: 2k-3k psf

Silt or clay: 1k-4k psf

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11
Q

Soil types are classified on what?

A

The sizes of the particles of the soil.

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12
Q

Name 4 types of soils.

A

Gravel: well drained and able to bear loads (+2 mm)
Sand: well drained and can bear loads when graded (0.5-2mm)
Silt: stable when dry, swells when frozen, do not use when wet (0.002-0.05mm)
Clay: must be removed, too stiff when dry and too soft when wet (<0.002 mm)

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13
Q

Which type of soil is considered best to build on?

A

Bedrock & gravel (+2mm)

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14
Q

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

A

Used to evaluate the rate at which soil will absorb water on a site.

Necessary for septic draining or leach fields.

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15
Q

What is a proctor test?

A

Used to calculate the maximum density that is required for the soil on a site.

Evaluates native soils in both dry and wet conditions to determine the

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16
Q

Name the four different levels of soil.

A

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.

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17
Q

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

A

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

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18
Q

Define compaction and surcharging.

A

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.

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19
Q

Why is the location of the frost line important?

A

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.

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20
Q

Describe the angle of repose.

A

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.

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21
Q

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

A

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.

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22
Q

Define safe bearing capacity.

A

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.

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23
Q

Define Ecology.

A

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.

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24
Q

What are 6 strategies to reduce energy use?

A
  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
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25
Q

What are 5 strategies to reduce water use?

A
  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
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26
Q

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

A

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.

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27
Q

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

A

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.

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28
Q

What is the maximum slope allowed for an accessible ramp?

A

Handicapped ramp slopes can be up to a 1:12 slope (1’ rise for every 12’ run).

1/12 (100) = 8.3% slope

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29
Q

45 degrees translates to what percentage of slope?

A

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

30
Q

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

A

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.

31
Q

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

A

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.

32
Q

Describe the five basic fundamentals of physics that affect internal building comfort.

A

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.

33
Q

What is a water table?

A

The level of water below the surface of the ground is referred to as the “water table”.

34
Q

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

A

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.

35
Q

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

A

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.

36
Q

Define indigenous materials.

A

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.

37
Q

What considerations should be given for exterior building materials?

A

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.

38
Q

What is R-Value?

A

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 asmall R-value, we typically add high R-valueinsulating material into the walls.

The thicker the walls, the more insulation itcan hold, and therefore the more R-value the wall has.

39
Q

How does R-Value differ from U-Value?

A

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.

40
Q

Describe thermal mass and its importance to building design.

A

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.

41
Q

Define Microclimate.

A

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.

42
Q

What climatic considerations should be evaluated during site design?

A

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.

43
Q

Define Macroclimate.

A

A Macroclimate refers to the general
climate of the overall region

44
Q

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

A

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.

45
Q

Describe the four different climatic zones found in the US.

A

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.

46
Q

What is the difference between a macroclimate and a microclimate?

A

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).

47
Q

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

A

Location of plants and bodies of water.

Amount and location of sun exposure.

Prevailing wind patterns.

Ground surface coverage.

48
Q

Define Albedo.

A

Albedo is a measure of the reflectivity of a material.

Snow has a high albedo (blinding light) while grass has a low albedo.

49
Q

Define Conductivity.

A

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.

50
Q

Describe albedo and conductivity in relation to site elements.

A

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.

51
Q

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

A

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.

52
Q

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

A

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.

53
Q

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

A

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.

54
Q

What are the three primary reasons for landscape design?

A
  1. Recreation
  2. Circulation
  3. Comfort
55
Q

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

A

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.

56
Q

Define a conifer and givetwo examples of this type of tree.

A

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.

57
Q

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

A

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

58
Q

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?

A

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

59
Q

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

A

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.

60
Q

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

A

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.

61
Q

Name four ways programming information can be gathered.

A

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

62
Q

List some of the best ways to research unfamiliar projects.

A

Researching case studies

Visiting existing projects

Paying for research (Dodge Reports, for example)

Hiring special cost estimating consultants

63
Q

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

A

Visual characteristics

Vegetation character

Potential problem areas during construction: silt, erosion, etc.

64
Q

Map out the test center and plan to arrive ____ minutes early.

A

30

65
Q

If done correctly, Programming should:

A

Clarify the Owner’s intentions Set a mutually agreed upon direction for the design

66
Q

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

A

Drainage

67
Q

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

A

Geo Technical

68
Q

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

A

Local Fire Services

Fire risk of area

69
Q

List three potential consequences of overlooking environmental regulations.

A

Disruption from construction

Increased project cost

Scheduling delays

70
Q

Describe two best case scenarios regarding rain drainage on site.

A

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.

71
Q

Name the three major geo technical considerations.

A

Runoff

Ground Water Table

Aquifer

72
Q

Name two things that soil type effects.

A

Foundation

Flow of water into the ground

ARE 5.0 PA (4 decks)

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