OBJ 1.1

Question 1

Azimuth

Answer 1

The horizontal angle at the ground plane measured from compass north to the object.

Question 2

Altitude

Answer 2

The angle measured up from the ground plane.

Question 3

NIMBYism

Answer 3

Not in my backyard.

Question 4

Metes and bounds

Answer 4

Method of describing real property using physical features of the local geography, along with directions and distances.

Question 5

Transect

Answer 5

Concept drawn from ecology; a progression through a sequence of habitats. Rural-to-urban transect includes a sequence of human habitats of increasing density and complexity.

Question 6

Bioswale

Answer 6

Shallow and elongated grass-lined channel that is moist or marshy; designed to detain stormwater runoff and remove sediment and other contaminants, while allowing water to seep back into the ground.

Question 7

Infiltration basin

Answer 7

Closed depression in the earth from which water can only escape back into the soil.

Question 8

Excavation

Answer 8

Removal of soil to allow construction of foundations and other permanent features below the finished level of the grade.

Question 9

Rough grading

Answer 9

Involves the movement of soil prior to construction to approximate levels of final grades.

Question 10

Invert

Answer 10

This is the lowest elevation of the existing public sewer line. It should be established during planning because the effluent must flow from the lowest point where the sewer lines leave the building to the main sewer. The connection of the building sewer line to the main sewer line must occur above the invert of the main line at any given point in order to interfere with free flow.

Question 11

Wind rose

Answer 11

A circular graphical tool for showing wind speed and direction at a given location.

Question 12

Prevailing wind

Answer 12

A wind that blows predominantly from one direction at any given location on the Earth’s surface. Global patterns, latitude, terrain, and bodies of water all influence prevailing winds.

Question 13

Groundwater

Answer 13

Groundwater is the water that is present under the Earth’s soil. It includes water in aquifers, soil moisture, and permafrost. Groundwater, if present, needs to be drained away from buildings.

Question 14

Water table

Answer 14

The line in the soil below which the ground is saturated.

Question 15

Soils report

Answer 15

A report that gives an understanding of earth conditions that will affect a building. Typically required in areas with expansive or low-strength soils, where a new foundation may encounter fill, or where lots of site grading needs to be done (aka, geotechnical report).

Question 16

DU/AC

Answer 16

Dwelling units per acre is a measurement of residential density. Single-family home: up to 10 du/ac. Row houses: 20–40 du/ac. Apartments: 30–105 du/ac.

Question 17

Heat vs. temperature

Answer 17

Heat is the energy in a substance. Temperature is the measure of the energy in a substance.

Question 18

Phase I ESA

Answer 18

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, or ESA, is a report done to help determine whether a property has been contaminated, and it is the first step in an environmental investigation. An ESA is often done before the sale of a project as a requirement from the lender. It is a thorough visual investigation that addresses the land, any structures, and surrounding properties. It also includes looking up records and reports and conducting interviews to find out prior uses of the property and whether potential environmental hazards exist. Actual sampling of materials like soil or groundwater is not done in a Phase I ESA.

Question 19

Phase II ESA

Answer 19

A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is done after a Phase I ESA to assess any of the findings of the Phase I ESA. It includes testing of air, soil, groundwater, or building materials to get definitive answers about contaminants. If contamination is found, another investigation is usually required, along with clean-up.

Question 20

Bubble diagrams and adjacency matrix are best used for what programming tasks?

Answer 20

Organizing client needs for spatial relationships.

Question 21

Windward vs. leeward

Answer 21

Windward is the side of where moist air rises; it is the wetter side of the hill. Leeward is the drier side, where dry air descends.

Question 22

Recharge (groundwater)

Answer 22

Occurs when surface water moves down into the earth to the groundwater. Can be either natural or anthropogenic.

Question 23

Gabions

Answer 23

A wirework container or “big cage” filled with stone or concrete rubble. Used to protect slopes against erosion, as with retaining walls, noise barriers, and other uses.

Question 24

Riprap

Answer 24

Large stone or concrete rubble that is used to line shorelines or waterways to protect against erosion.

Question 25

Ecotone

Answer 25

A zone of transition between two different ecological communities. For example, when there is no hard boundary between a field and a forest.

Question 26

True or False? Playgrounds are exempt from accessibility regulations.

Answer 26

False.

Question 27

Rail to trail

Answer 27

Old rail routes have been converted to bike trails in communities throughout the United States since the mid-1980s. They are successful because the grades of the rail lines were already relatively flat, which is good for biking.

Question 28

Pedestrian vs. vehicular collisions

Answer 28

When vehicle speed is less than 20 mph, the pedestrian is usually not seriously injured. Vehicle speeds of 20–30 mph: serious injuries. Over 30 mph: injuries are often fatal.

Question 29

Traffic calming

Answer 29

The use of design elements to slow vehicular traffic and bring awareness to drivers. Types include speed bumps; changes in width and grade of the street; and changes in paving material, surface, color, or texture. Speed bumps are effective but undesirable because of damage to snow removal equipment, slowing of emergency vehicles, damage to the speed bump itself, and accessibility issues.

Question 30

Critical regionalism

Answer 30

An approach to architecture that strives to counter the placelessness and lack of identity of the International Style, while rejecting the whimsical individualism and ornamentation of postmodern architecture. Popularized by architect and urbanist Kenneth Frampton.