Multiple Choice Flashcards
Which of the following is a limitation when talking about the density of a neighborhood?
A. Density does not describe distribution.
B. Density is less accurate in large cities.
C. Density is less accurate in small towns.
D. Density implies undesirability.
A - A limitation to using density when describing a neighborhood is that it does not describe distribution; a density of 500 could imply that the 500 people are evenly distributed across 10 acres or crowded together in a single building. Density is not more or less accurate when discussing large cities or small towns. Density once implied undesirability, but many people now prefer to live in more densely populated locations where they may encounter more people and have more things to do.
Los Angeles may be defined by which of the following urban development patterns? Select 2
A. Expanding grid B. Star pattern C. Megalopolis D. Satellite pattern E. Field pattern
C, E - Los Angeles can be defined as either a field pattern (where the pattern is amorphous and has no real shape) or as a megalopolis (which occurs when two or more major urban areas grow into each other as the area between them is developed.
In Life Cycle Analysis planning, one critical aspect of materials evaluation is the embodied energy in building materials. Which of the following materials has the highest embodied energy?
A. Copper
B. Sand
C. Brick
D. Glass
A - Approximate embodied energy values:
Sand 18 BTU/LB
Brick 2200 BTU/LB
Glass 11,100 BTU/LB
Copper 29,600 BTU/LB
Which of the following is the difference between an expanding grid and a strict grid?
A. An expanding grid allows for continuous expansion until stopped by a natural feature; a strict grid is limited by the local jurisdiction
B. An expanding grid allows for continuous expansion until stopped by a natural feature; a strict grid is confined to a smaller space.
C. An expanding grid grows indefinitely as the population grows; a strict grid restricts growth.
D. An expanding grid grown indefinitely as the population grows; a strict grid is confined to a smaller space.
B - An expanding grid allows for continuous expansion until stopped by a natural feature and a strict grid is confined to a smaller space. Strict grids are prominent in smaller cities.
Which of the following are benefits to developing a superblock? Select 2
A. Increased pedestrian circulation
B. Decreased automobile intrusion
C. Increased parking spaces
D. Increased housing developments
A, B - Superblocks are designed to increase the pedestrian circulation and decrease automobile intrusion. Superblocks function as continuous streets with cul-de-sacs.
Which of the following are you most likely to find in a large city?
A. Planned unit developments
B. Superblocks
C. Open space
D. Transit-oriented development
D - In a large city, you are most likely to find transit-oriented development, where construction takes place close to transit stops. You are less likely to find planned unit developments or superblocks, both of which have a component of open space, which is also not likely to be available in a large city.
Which of the following is one of AIA’s Top 10 Principles for Livable Communities? Select 3
A. Encourage mixed-use development.
B. Conserve landscapes.
C. Design on an urban scale.
D. Create a neighborhood identity.
A, B, D - Design should be carried out on a human, not urban, scale - with compact, pedestrian-friendly communities with easy access to shops, services, resources, and jobs.
Which of the following would best detain water runoff for supplemental irrigation?
A. Catch basin.
B. Detention basin.
C. Bio basin.
D. Infiltration basin
D - An infiltration basin would detain water runoff. A catch basis is used to contain runoff until it can flow into a storm sewer, which will not contribute to supplemental irrigation. A bio basin will treat water but is not used for irrigation. Detention basins are used for flood protection, not irrigation.
Which of the following can contribute to sustainable design on-site during construction? Select 2.
A. Increased parking
B. Relocating existing vegetation
C. Limiting travel routes
D. Installing permanent vegetation
C, D - Limiting travel routes and installing permanent vegetation can contribute to sustainable design. Increasing parking and relocating existing vegetation are not sustainable practices and will not contribute to sustainable design; vegetation especially should be protected, not removed and relocated.
The Architect is designing a new house on a lot in a temperate climate with prevailing winds coming from the northwest direction. Which of the following represents where trees should be planted?
A. Coniferous on South, Deciduous on North
B. Deciduous on the South, Coniferous on the North
C. Coniferous on North and South
D. Deciduous on North and South.
B - Deciduous lets light in during the winter and blocks light in the summer; therefore, Deciduous trees should be on the south side. Coniferous trees have leaves all year and blocks wind all year.
An Architect is working on a small office building in the cold, dry climate of Colorado. After surveying the property together, the client has decided they would like the house to be situated at least halfway up the large hill in order to capture some of the expansive views. Where on the hill should the Architect suggest building?
A. Halfway up the south side of the hill.
B. On top of the hill.
C. Halfway up the north side of the hill.
D. On the bottom of the east side of the hill.
A - In a dry, cold climate, a house on the south side of the hill would be warm and sunny in the summer and winter and out of the wind found at the top of the hill.
When considering the normative planning method, public participation techniques can benefit the planning process during which of the following phases? Select 3
A. Analysis B. Development C. Planning D. Adopting E. Implementation
C, D, E - The planning, adopting, and implementation phases are most likely to enjoy the benefit of public participation. Analysis and developing strategies are more likely to be conducted by the planner without community participation.
NFPA 252 is used to evaluate which of the following?
A. How well doors or other openings resist the passage of heat, flame, and gases.
B. How well windows resist the passage of heat, flame, and gases.
C. How well wall assemblies and floor/ceiling assemblies resist the passage of heat, flame, and gases.
D. How well interior finishes resist the passage of heat, flame, and gasses.
A - How well doors and other openings resist the passage of heat, flames, and gasses. Windows are evaluated with NFPA 257, wall assemblies and floor/ceiling assemblies are evaluated with ASTM E119, and ASTM E84 rates interior finishes and other building materials.
If a soil is analyzed as being primarily silty, how should it be characterized?
A. very fine material of organic matter.
B. Rigid particles with moderately high bearing capacity.
C. particles with some cohesion and plasticity in their behavior.
D. smaller particles with occasional plastic behavior.
D - Option A describes organic material, option B describes gravels, and option C describes clays.
The construction of a large general hospital is being planned for a neighborhood that lies between an outer edge of a downtown area and a medium- to high-density housing area. There are already smaller clinics and doctors’ offices in the area. The following concerns have been addressed in the design of the hospital building. In presenting the project to the city planning board, which concern should the architect emphasize?
A. The proposed street closure, planned in order to expand the building site, will not affect traffic.
B. Sufficient parking will be made available on the project site.
C. The bulk of the building design will not block sunlight from the housing.
D. Sewer and water services will not have to be expanded to serve the building.
B - All these issues are important, but the architect wants to tailor the presentation toward the key concerns of the planning board and the community at large. In this type of neighborhood, parking already would be in short supply considering the number of downtown worker,s housing, and high-traffic needs of clinics and doctors’ offices. Therefore, parking likely would be the most important concern to the community.
This problem requires an understanding of all the major elements of planning a project and their effect on transportation services, traffic, utilities, ecology, drainage, and aesthetics. You may be asked questions about what types of drawings or other documentation could best show a proposed project in its neighborhood context. IN general, know how the surroundings affect the project and how the project affects the surrounding community.
An architect is developing a site plan for a building that is adjacent to a highway. Which of the following strategies is best for attenuating noise?
A. Maximize the distance between the new building and the highway.
B. Construct a masonry wall as high as possible next to the highway.
C. Plant combination of deciduous and evergreen trees 100 ft. deep.
D. Locate the building as far from the highway as possible and plant a row of evergreen trees.
B - All of the strategies listed would help mitigate the noise problem, but building a solid, high mass wall would be the most effective.
Although increasing the distance between a noise source and the receiver helps to reduce the sound level, it would not make a significant difference in this case. Even though noise from a point source decreases as the square of the distance increases, noise from a linear source, such as a highway, only decreased directly as the distance increases. Doubling the distance would only decrease the sound level by about 3 decibels, which is barely noticeable.
Trees help attenuate sound, but only if they are planted in a deep row and in a combination of deciduous and evergreen trees is used. A deep row of trees consists of several rows perpendicular to the direction of the sound. The greater the number of rows, the better the sound attenuation will be. Planting a combination of deciduous and evergreen trees is helpful because their different densities attenuate different sound frequencies. However, trees are most effective in attenuating sound at higher frequencies and may not be very useful in dealing with the low frequencies of highway noise.
According to the principles of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), which of the following are the most useful strategies? Select 4.
A. Adding security guards at critical points.
B. Using territorial reinforcement.
C. Placing bars on ground floor windows.
D. Employing electronic methods of protection.
E. Requiring the use of keypad locks.
F. Locating windows to overlook public areas.
A, B, D, F - Of the options listed, simply placing bars on windows would be the least effective crime prevention technique, according to the principles of CPTED. CPTED is the process of designing security into architecture. The various strategies it uses are implemented through architectural design, electronic methods, and organizational methods. Architectural design methods include the use of defensible space concepts that deny admission to a target and create a perception that there is a risk in selecting a target; such concepts include natural access control, natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, and legitimate activity support.
Mechanical access control including locks and window bars supplement natural and electronic access-control measures. Natural access control elements include fences, hedges, and gates, which create the perception that selecting the target is a risk.
Electronic methods include the use of locks, alarms, access control electronic surveillance, and similar techniques.
Organizational methods include the use of human resources such as guards, door attendants, receptionists, and the like.
A building in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, figured prominently in the Civil War and is now used as a small private museum. The brick structure is adjacent to a battlefield and has been maintained largely as it was in 1863, with the exception of a small wood frame addition built in the 1960s. The addition is deteriorating and will be removed. This project is an example of which historic building treatment?
A. rehabilitation
B. restoration
C. reconstruction
D. preservation
B - Restoration focuses on the most important time period in the life of a structure. In this case, the most significant time was the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1 - 3, 1863. Therefore, any additions built at other times could be removed. The materials and character of the original structure should be repaired.
Rehabilitation is often used when the property is being converted to a use other than its historical function. It allows more flexibility in the materials and methods of construction that can be used to repair the building, as long as the historic character of the building is maintained.
Reconstruction is the process of rebuilding a lost structure based on historic documentation. One of the most familiar examples of this approach is the buildings and environs at Colonial Williamsburg.
Preservation is the most historically accurate approach. It maintains additions made over time and chronicles the history of the building through the modifications.
The owner of the lot described below wants to develop a building with the maximum allowable gross square footage. If the floor area ratio (FAR) is 2.0 and the owner builds only full stories to the setback lines, how high will the building be?
Lot description: 200ft x 300ft. 10ft and 20ft side setbacks running parallel with the 200ft length.
a 30ft rear setback and 40ft front setback.
A. 2 stories
B. 3 stories
C. 4 stories
D. 5 stories
B - The area of the lot is 60,000 sf. If the floor area ratio is 2, the maximum amount of the floor areas that can be built is 120,000 sf. The available ground areas that can be covered within the setbacks is 270ft x 130ft, or 35,100 sf. Dividing this figure into 120,000 gives 3.42 stories, which indicates that three full stories can be built.
Which of these can zoning ordinances do? Select 4
A. Influence building form.
B. Determine the allowable flooring loading based on occupancy.
C. Stabilize property values.
D. Determine required amounts of parking.
E. Allow city governments to predict infrastructure needs.
F. Establish the required number of toilet facilities at a municipal stadium.
A, C, D, E - Zoning ordinances are enacted in municipalities to control what types of structures are built in certain locations. Zoning requirements such as setbacks, floor area ratios, and height limitations influence the form of the building that can be constructed on a site and consequently influence the appearance of a neighborhood. Zoning regulations prohibit construction of incongruent building types within a specific area; for example, zoning ordinances would likely separate residential neighborhoods from heavy industrial uses, helping to stabilize property values. Zoning also helps governments plan for the future by restricting the capacity of the land and helping predict the types and capacities of utility systems necessary in a specific area.
Which of the following are required components of an incentive zoning plan? Select 3.
A. Base floor area ratio B. Bonus ratio C. Specific plan for development D. Floor area ratio (FAR) cap E. Floor area ratio cap F. Bonus cap
A, B, C - Incentive zoning is a way to encourage private developers to provide amenities for public use in exchange for the opportunity to build a larger or taller structure on a site. An example of incentive zoning is the bonus floor area given to developers of skyscrapers in NYC, NY, who include a public plaza on the ground floor level.
Incentive zoning plans must include a base floor area ratio (the standard against which to compare) and a bonus ratio - the FAR that is provided if the public space is a part of the design, along with a specific plan for the development that will trigger the bonus. The plans may include caps on the FAR and a bonus FAR - for example, a bonus may be given for providing public parking in an underground garage to increase from the base FAR of 1.5, but the bonus FAR may not exceed 2. For incentive zoning to be a true incentive, the value of the additional (leasable) floor area must exceed the cost of providing the public amenity.
Which of the following would be included in a zoning ordinance? Select 4.
A. Maximum building heights. B. Maximum number of occupants. C. Minimum parking requirements. D. Minimum setbacks from property lines. E. Minimum width for utility easements. F. Minimum number of loading spaces.
A, C, D, F - A zoning ordinance is a set of rules enacted by a local governing body or by a board that the governing body has designated, such as a zoning or planning commission. This set of rules regulates the types of buildings and development that are permitted in certain areas of a jurisdiction.
Zoning ordinances specify what uses are permitted in certain areas and may separate the land within the jurisdiction into, commercial, industrial, and residential zones. In addition, zoning ordinances typically dictate how a site may be developed by establishing floor area ratios, minimum lot sizes and dimensions, maximum lot coverage requirements, maximum building heights, minimum setbacks from property lines, and parking requirements, including minimum number and sizes of loading spaces.
Sometimes a zoning ordinance gives different requirements from the building code in effect in the same region. This often happens, for example, with requirements for maximum height and area. Building codes determine these maximums on the basis of occupancy groups and types of construction, which are modified by factors such as whether the building will be sprinklered and whether access for firefighting equipment will be provided. If the local zoning ordinance and the building code give different maximum heights or areas, the lower of the tow takes precedence.
A zoning ordinance would not determine the maximum number of occupants permitted in a structure. This requirement is established by the building code in the jurisdiction, in accordance with the occupancy group and type of construction of the building. in addition, a zoning ordinance would not include requirements for or widths of utility easements.
Which of the following are typically regulated by zoning ordinances? Select 4.
A. How a property is used. B. Type of exterior materials. C. Floor area ratios. D. Number of loading spaces. E. Minimum amount of window exposure. F. Distances from property line to building.
A, C, D, F - Exterior material types are not regulated by zoning ordinances, though they may be governed by covenants, development restrictions, and to some extent by building codes. Zoning ordinances do not regulate either minimum or maximum window area.
According to IBC, when two exits are required, they must be at least what distance apart on the diagonal (measured on the floor plan)?
A. 1/3 the diagonal
B. 1/2 the diagonal
C. 1/4 the diagonal
D. 1/5 the diagonal
B - According to IBC, Where two exits are required from any portion of the exit access, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area being served measured in a straight line between them. Interlocking or scissor stairways shall be counted as one exit stairway.
Exceptions:
- where interior exit stairways or ramps are interconnected by a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated corridor, the required exit separation shall be measured along the shortest direct line of travel within the corridor.
- Where a building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system, the separation distance shall be not less than one-third of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the area served.
Which of the following ADA requirements need to be considered in the construction of a library with an open stair in an atrium in the path of egress?
A. No adjustments are required as long as floor area is clear.
B. Hang a warning sign.
C. Recommend guardrail underneath the lower portion of the stair and a planting area be placed underneath the stair.
D. Paint the back of the treads a bright color.
C - ADA requirements necessitate a vertical surface that can be detected by a cane or other tool used by the visually impaired. It is also needed to ensure someone with a visual impairment is protected from injury.
Which of the following are typically regulated as part of a site’s zoning requirements. Select 3.
A. Stormwater runnoff from roof drains
B. Easements from property lines
C. Parking and loading spaces
D. Green spaces.
B, C, D - Stormwater runnoff is regulated by the International Plumbing Code while all others are regulated by zoning.
An Architect has decided to enter a local competition for a new museum. Before beginning the initial floor plan and massing studies the Architect should consult building codes to determine which of the following design criteria? Select all that apply.
A. Maximum square footage B. Maximum number of stories C. Potential construction methods and materials D. Soil requirements E. Maximum required exits
A, B, C - Area, number of floors, and construction method and materials are all items that are found in the building codes and are important to understand before initial design.
In order to provide clear access to an exit in a corridor, which of the following reductions of the required aisle width are permitted?
A. A door projection of 9 inches.
B. 7 inches when structural obstructions are present.
C. Handrails with maximum projection of 4.5 inches.
D. 3 inches maximum trim and decorative items.
C - Maximum projection of a door is 7 inches, no reductions in required width are provided for structural obstructions, and the maximum projection for trim and decorative items is 1.5 inches.
Which of the following tests are most commonly used to rate fire resistance of construction assemblies? Select 3.
A. ASTM E119
B. NFPA 252
C. ASTM E84
D. NFPA 257
A, B, D - ASTM E84 is a flammability test not a fire-resistance test.
Which of the following is true of a conditional covenant?
A. The property will revert to the original owner when maximum square footage is reached.
B. The property requires a buyer to perform a specific duty in the future.
C. The property will revert to the original owner if deed restrictions are not followed.
D. The property will revert to the original owner if the site is not developed.
C - A conditional covenant provides for a property to revert to its original owner if deed restrictions are not followed. An affirmative covenant requires a buyer to perform a specific duty in the future, and a restrictive covenant is used to keep subdivisions uniform. Maximum square footage would not be a condition of a covenant.
According to NFPA 265, which of the following conditions must be met for a textile to receive a passing rating? Select 2.
A. During 40kW exposure, flames do not spread to outer extremities of 8’ x 12’ wall within 5 minutes.
B. During 40kW exposure, flames do not spread to the ceiling.
C. During 150 kW exposure, there is no flashover and no flame spread to the outer extremities of 8’ x 12’ wall.
D. During 150 kW exposure, flames do not spread to ceiling within 10 minutes.
B, C - According to NFPA 265, during 40kW exposure, flames cannot spread to the ceiling within 5 minutes and during 150 kW exposure, there can be no flashover and no flame spread to the outer extremities of a 8’ x 12’ wall within 10 minutes.
Which of the following is true for professionals who work in the planning profession?
A. There are no licensure requirements.
B. Certifications are not available.
C. Jurisdictions do not require certifications.
D. Degree programs are not available.
A - There are no licensure requirements for planning professionals; however, many jurisdictions do require certifications, which are available. Degree programs are also available and may provide a foundation for a certification program.
How are property taxes commonly expressed?
A. Finance charge
B. Improvement fee
C. Mill levy
D. Assessed value
C - Property taxes are commonly expressed as a mill levy, which is the number of thousandths of a dollar charged per $1,000 of assessed value.
During the programming phase, an architect is developing a project schedule and seeking information related to construction time. Which of the following would provide most accurate sources of information? Select 3.
A. Construction manager
B. Contractors with similar experience
C. Documents from similar projects
D. Other architects with similar experience
A, C, D - The construction manager, documents from similar projects, and architects with similar experience would all provide good, reliable information to inform the scheduling process.
Contractors may provide good information, but if they have not been awarded the project they may provide less reliable information.
When conducting a site analysis in a densely populated urban area, which of the following should be considered? Select 3.
A. Natural features B. Solar shading C. View analysis D. Subsurface conditions E. Historical context
B, C, E - Solar shading, a view analysis, and historical context would be important components of a site analysis. Natural features and subsurface conditions would be less impactful; an urban area will most likely not be impacted by natural features due to existing construction, and subsurface conditions are likely known and would not be necessary.
While creating a blocking and stacking diagram during the programming phase of a project, what information must be evaluated? Select 2.
A. Client’s pro forma
B. Geotechnical report
C. Planning adjacency matrix
D. Zoning envelope
C, D - The process of blocking and stacking requires knowledge of general sizes of building footprint and allowable stories to create viable designs later on. The size, quantity, and adjacency relationships of spaces is necessary in order to build out the conceptual floors of each level.
Which of the following are most likely to influence a project when using the design-bid-build method? Select 3
A. Bidding
B. Size
C. Complexity
D. Client
B, C, D - All choices are correct with the exception of bidding. Bidding would not have a significant impact on design-bid-build any more than it would on another method.
Which of the following is most often used to finance large projects?
A. Bridge loan
B. Hard money loan
C. Mezzanine loan
D. Mortgage loan
C - A mezzanine loan is most often used to finance large projects. A bridge loan finances projects before long-term financing is established. A hard money loan is usually used when working with foreclosed or distressed properties. A mortgage loan is common for individual home buyers, not for large projects.
Which of the following storage items would require moderate hazard for storage? Select all that apply.
A. Furniture B. Books C. Lumber D. Food products E. Porcelain
A, B, C - This question looks at the difference between combustible and non-combustible storage goods. Furniture, books, and lumber could be combustible goods
Which of the following is likely to be paid for by a general obligation bond? Select 2.
A. Residential home
B. School
C. Municipal building
D. Office park
B, C - This question looks at general obligation bonds, which are issued by a city or state and backed by tax revenue. Public buildings are most likely to be paid for using general obligation bonds, which means a school or other municipal building would be correct choices.
After completing a new building program, what information is required to determine the occupant load for the project? Select 2
A. Floor area ratio
B. Square footage per space
C. Construction type
D. Use per space
B, D - The program determines the quantity of spaces, their respective areas, and the expected users in each space, but the building code is required to determine the actual occupant load for the project. The use of each space and its square footage are aggregated to determine the total occupant load for a project. This is important for the architect to understand egress and other requirements.
You have been commissioned to renovate an existing warehouse into a new adaptive reuse office space. By the time the programming phase has completed, which of the following should you have learned? Select 3.
A. Zoning classification for the site and adjacent sites.
B. Allowable uses for the zoning classification
C. Occupant load and cost per square foot
D. Gross and net building areas
A, B, D - The correct answers listed represent existing factors that the architect will have to work with ion determining how the adaptive reuse project can proceed. The zoning, adjacent zoning, and allowable uses will determine what kinds of projects can be developed on site. The gross building areas and net building areas will be important in determining how much can be built within the existing warehouse. The parking requirements could rule out certain types of uses and occupant loads.
