Programming & Analysis Flashcards
Module 1:
What is the definition of Architectural Programming?
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.
Module 1:
Name five phases that are preformed during programming
- Gathering Data: site surveys, existing conditions, desired use, building type, applicable building codes, zoning requirements, budget, schedule, and project team info are all collected and organized.
- Establishing Goals: the Architect interviews the Owner to identify the primary design goals and potential issues.
- Mapping Functions: functional and spatial requirements are listed with their approx size, important adjacencies and relationships to one another.
- 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.
- Researching Requirements: detailed technical requirements are collected for any required equipment, systems, operations, and performance.
Module 1:
True or False:
Programming and Architectural Design are completely independent of one another.
True.
During programming, the problems of the project are sought out and documented.
During design, these problems are discussed and adequate solutions are developed.
Module 1:
What four items should be considered during programming?
- Building Function
- Building Form
- Project Budget
- Project Schedule
Module 1:
Describe the programming process
- Discuss the goals of the project with the Owner
- Organize all the project specific information (codes, existing site conditions, building users, etc.)
- Determine building hierarchy of spaces.
- Determine priorities of the Owner
- Develop problem that must be solved through building design.
Module 1:
If done correctly, Programming should…
- Clarify the Owner’s intentions.
- Set a mutually agreed upon direction for the design.
- Reduce change orders during construction.
- Minimize disputes between Owner and Architect
- Establish a basis for resolving differences of opinion
- Minimize redundancy from wasted spaces or poor relationships.
Module 1:
What is an aquifer?
an aquifer is a layer of water flowing underground (a.k.a. underground stream)
the presence of an aquifer could supply fresh water to the building, or limit depth of foundations
Module 1:
What is Soil Load Bearing Capacity?
Bearing capacity refers to the max amount of pressure a foundation soil can bear without harmful settlement
Module 1:
Name 4 soil types and their capacities.
- Bedrock - 10,000 psf
- well graded gravel or sand - 3,000-12,000 psf
- compacted sand or fill - 2,000-3,000 psf
- Silt or clay - 1,000-4,000 psf
Module 1:
What is a ground water table?
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
Module 1:
Soil types are classified based on:
the sizes of the particles of soil
Module 1:
Name the Soil Types
Gravel: well drained and able to bear loads (+2mm)
Sand: well drained and can serve as foundation when graded (0.5 - 2mm)
Silt: stable when dry, swells when frozen, do not use when wet (.002 - .05mm)
Clay: must be removed, too stiff when dry and too plastic when wet (< .002 mm)
Module 1:
Which soil type is considered best to build on?
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: < .002mm, plastic when wet, stiff when dry
organic: contains peat, leaves, grass, etc. must be removed
Module 1:
What is a percolation test and when would it be used?
used to evaluate the rate at which soil will absorb water on a site. necessary for septic draining or leach fields.
Module 1:
What is a proctor test?
used to calculate the max density required for the soil on a project site
evaluated native soils in dry and wet conditions to determine the potential negative qualities of the soil
preformed by dropping a hammer on a sample of soil several times and then dried for a period of time
Module 1:
Name the four different levels of soil
Level A - top soil, essential for growth of plans 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
Module 1:
Can soil bearing capacity be increased? If so, how?
soils can increase bearing capacity by:
- fill
- compaction
- surcharging
Module 1:
Why is the location of the frost line important?
indicates the level where soil freezes
t/footings should be at or below the frost line, which avoids damage to the foundation do to moisture changes throughout the year
Module 1:
Describe 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
Module 1:
What should you do if you discover large quantities of organic soils on a site?
soil will likely need to be removed and replaced with an appropriate fill material
otherwise foundation piles would need to extend to solid bedrock or bearing soils.
Module 1:
Define safe bearing capacity
ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a safety factor of 2 to 4 times
ensures the site will not endure the full ultimate bearing capacity and helps avoid structural failure.
Module 1:
Define Ecology
the science of the relationship between an organism or community and its environment
community comprises of all the living plants an animals occupying a given area
Module 1:
What are 6 strategies to reduce energy use?
- install solar panels
- increase the amount of insulation in the walls
- use insulated windows
- orient building to sun to control heat gain
- install light colored roof
- use efficient light bulbs
Module 1: Define compaction and surcharging
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. lengthly process could take 6-12 months
Module 1:
What are 5 strategies to reduce water use?
- drip irrigation system for landscaping
- low-flow or waterless toilets
- native species and drought tolerant plants
- collect graywater from showers and laundry and reuse water for the yard or to flush toilets
- collect rainwater for reuse
Module 1:
Describe how to determine the grade or slope of a site
g = V/H(100)
g = grade of slope
V = rise/vertical distance
H = run/horizontal distance
Multiply by 100 to convert into a percentage
Module 1:
Name 4 general rules of thumb for site grading and what they are best used for
less than 4% slope is considered flat and suitable for all activities
4%-10% moderate and requires some effort to climb or descend
10%-50% steep and suitable only for limited activity
50% + very steep and is subject to soil erosion or collapse
Module 1:
What is the max slope allowed for an accessible ramp?
Handicapped ramp slopes must be a 1:12 slope (1ft rise or ever 12ft run)
1/12(100) = 8.3% slope
Module 1:
45 Degrees translates to what percentage slope?
100% slope as rise over run is 1 to 1 or 1/1
Module 1:
Why is solar orientation important when layout out a site design?
the more perpendicular the sun’s rays are to the site, the greater amount of solar radiation received.
important to note the amount of solar radiation received in order to design a building that maintains a consistent internal temperature.
Module 1:
What factors of sun radiation should be taken into consideration when designing a site?
Time of day - how much sun is received on site in the morning compared to the afternoon
Azimuth - angle btw the sun and the horizon. summer sun has a larger azimuth that winter sun
Duration of Sun Exposure - sites in the norther 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
Module 1:
Describe the 5 basic fundamentals of physics that affect internal building comfort
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 - sunlight passes under any overhangs to reach into home and keep it warm
Thermal Mass - heavy mass materials (i.e. concrete, stone, brick, water) store heat and cold. when temp changes these materials release the stored temp back into the air
Insulation - well insulated building is req’d in order to hold in the interior temp and keep out the outside one
Module 1:
What is a water table?
level of ground water below the surface of the ground
Module 1:
How does the level of the water table on the site affect the design of the foundation?
if water table is less than 6ft 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
Module 1:
What conditions could occur if a high water table is found in a cold climate?
high water tables in cold climates are especially problematic since water expands as it freezes
wrong type of foundation could crack or settle if the water table freezes and pushes it upward
Module 1:
Define indigenous materials
locally found materials, don’t require transportation or import
most sites contain materials and resources that could potentially be used in the building
Module 1:
What considerations should be given for exterior building materials?
exterior materials must withstand the elements
durable materials should be selected
local conditions should help determine the appropriate materials
Module 1:
What is R-Value?
Insulation is measured in R-Value. the higher the R-value, the more insulation value the material has.
Materials like wood and siding have a small R-value, so high R-value insulating material is added into the wall assembly
Module 1:
How does R- Value differ from U-Value?
U-Value = insulating value of windows
1/R-Value
Inverse of R-value - lower the u-value, the more insulation value it has
Module 1:
Describe thermal mass and its importance to building design.
thermal mass = ability of a material to store temperature
ability of a material to absorb and store temperature
these materials take a long time to heat up and cool down, use high thermal mass materials to keep building temperature regular and consistent.
Module 1:
Define Microclimate
microclimate = specific local conditions of the site
affected by vegetation, elevation, slope, water, wind, solar exposure, and man-made structures
Module 1:
What climatic considerations should be evaluated during site design?
Temperature - comfort zone ranges between 63-71 degrees in winter and 66-75 degrees in 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
Module 1:
Define Macroclimate
general climate of the overall region
Module 1:
What are four site conditions that can affect the microclimate of a site?
Site Latitude - areas closer to the equator are warmer than those further away
Site Elevation - height above sea level affects rain and show fall as well as temperature
Prevailing Winds - depending on the location, winds 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
Module 1:
Describe the four different climatic zones found in the US.
Cool Zone - Northern states
Temperate Zone - West Coast
Arid Zone - Midwestern and desert states
Tropical Zone - Southern states, especially near the Gulf
Module 1:
What is the difference between a macroclimate and a microclimate?
Macroclimate - climate of a region (i.e. county or area)
Microclimate - climate of a particular site.
affected by bodies of water, ground slope, and solar radiation (north facing sites have less sun than south facing in the Northern Hemisphere)
Module 1:
What site elements can be studied to determine the effect of the microclimate on the site?
- location of plants and bodies of water
- amount and location of sun exposure
- prevailing wind patterns
- ground surface coverage
Module 1:
Define Albedo
measure of reflectivity of a material
ex. snow has a high albedo
grass has a low albedo
Module 1:
Define conductivity
material’s ability to absorb light
ex. grassy areas - low albedo levels and high conductivity
paved areas have high albedo and low conductivity thus are often warmer than grassy areas
Module 1:
Describe albedo and conductivity in relation to site elements.
albedo: radiant energy that is reflected by a surface where 0 is a flat brick surface that absorbs heat and 1 is a mirror
conductivity: rate at which heat passes through a material. Metals have high conductivity and soils/sand have a low one
Module 1:
What is the best way to provide internal comfort in a building during a hot, summer day?
exterior: large overhangs to shade house from southern and western sun for most of the day
interior: thick concrete wall to absorb heat
Module 1:
How is a space heated at night during the winter if it contains thick concrete walls and floors and has large windows facing south?
low winter sun warms the south side of the house all day. stone or concrete floors store 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
Module 1:
How does proper building siting affect the views for a project?
buildings can 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
Module 1:
What are the three primary reasons for landscape design?
- Recreation
- Circulation
- Comfort
Module 1: Define a deciduous tree and name three species that fall under this category.
full with leaves through the spring and summer, providing shade. leaves fall in Autumn and expose bare branches through the winter allowing sun to pass into a building.
Decidious species: maple, elms, oaks, and sycamores
Module 1:
Define a conifer and give 2 examples of this type of tree
needle like evergreens that do not shed leaves
year-round wind breakers or privacy screens
Conifer species: pines (spruce and firs)
Module 1:
What purpose do deciduous trees serve best on a project?
best choice when a site requires shade in the summer and heat from the sun in the winter
Module 1:
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?
conifer trees
excellent wind breakers because they retain their dense needle filled branches year-round
Module 1:
How does “smart landscaping” help act as a natural heat buffer on a site?
- trees can help screen and direct winds on a site
- trees and vegetation absorb sunlight and add humidity to the air
- planted areas are cooler during hot summer days.
Module 1:
Name 5 ways you can mitigate disturbance to local flora and fauna when designing a site.
- 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
