Section 3 Quiz

Question 1

In what situation would it be appropriate for the architect to terminate the contract?

Answer 1

It would be appropriate for the architect to terminate the contract if the owner puts the project on hold indefinitely.

Reference: (AIA B101-2017, Article 9.5)

Question 2

When might it be appropriate for an architect to terminate the contract due to issues with the owner’s payments?

Answer 2

If the owner is consistently late in providing payments, the architect may terminate the contract, provided proper notice is given.

Reference: (AIA B101-2017, Article 9.7)

Question 3

Why is a workplace environment suitable for applying evidence-based design principles?

Answer 3

A workplace can benefit from evidence-based design to analyze and enhance factors such as wellness, employee retention, and productivity, supporting data-driven architectural decisions.

Reference: (Evidence-Based Design Principles, Workplace Applications)

Question 4

Why is a retail environment suitable for applying evidence-based design principles?

Answer 4

Retail environments are ideal for evidence-based design as architectural and design changes can be tracked over time against sales and market data, providing insights for further modifications and future design decisions.

Reference: (Evidence-Based Design Principles, Retail Applications)

Question 5

Why is a healthcare environment suitable for applying evidence-based design principles?

Answer 5

Healthcare environments are well-suited for evidence-based design as extensive data points related to occupant wellbeing are collected, which can inform and enhance the design process.

Reference: (Evidence-Based Design Principles, Healthcare Applications)

Question 6

Why is an educational environment suitable for applying evidence-based design principles?

Answer 6

Educational environments are ideal for evidence-based design because quantitative data such as grades, attendance, and test scores can be tracked over time to assess and enhance the effectiveness of the learning environment.

Reference: (Evidence-Based Design Principles, Educational Applications)

Question 7

Why are residential environments generally not suitable for applying evidence-based design principles?

Answer 7

Residential environments are less suited for evidence-based design because they are unique to individual occupants, and the data points vary widely, making it challenging to collect consistent data for design improvements.

Reference: (Evidence-Based Design Limitations in Residential Architecture)

Question 8

Why are laboratory environments generally not suitable for applying evidence-based design principles?

Answer 8

Laboratory environments are typically designed under strict regulations, and relevant data is often not released for public analysis, which limits the application of evidence-based design principles.

Reference: (Challenges in Applying Evidence-Based Design in Laboratory Environments)

Question 9

Which terms of consultant compensation are typically included in the standard (unmodified) architect/consultant agreement as outlined in AIA C401-2017?

Answer 9

Payment promptly after the architect receives payment from the owner

Payment in proportion to the amounts received from the owner

Payment in accordance with the compensation provisions of the owner/architect agreement

Reference: AIA C401-2017, Articles 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3

Question 10

Is payment of reimbursable expenses as a percentage of the consultant’s fee a standard term in the architect/consultant agreement?

Answer 10

Incorrect. AIA C401-2017 states that payments for reimbursable expenses are those incurred by the consultant directly related to the project. These expenses may be marked up by an agreed-upon percentage, but they are not paid as a percentage of the overall consultant fee.

Question 11

Is payment of reimbursable expenses at the end of the project a standard term in the architect/consultant agreement?

Answer 11

Incorrect. Reimbursable expenses that are invoiced throughout the course of the project should be paid in the same manner as invoices for services rendered, not at the end of the project.

Question 12

Is payment of additional services at the end of the project a standard term in the architect/consultant agreement?

Answer 12

Incorrect. Additional services that are invoiced throughout the course of the project should be paid in the same manner as invoices for services rendered, not at the end of the project.

Question 13

Which project delivery method is most effective for mitigating both cost overruns and project risk?

Answer 13

Design-bid-build.
This method is effective for mitigating both cost and risk. Cost overruns are reduced because the project is competitively bid, ensuring the contractor is hired for the lowest possible cost. Risk is mitigated due to the method’s long-standing use and established case law.

Question 14

Why is Design-build (bridging) not the best project delivery method for a client focused on mitigating cost and risk?

Answer 14

Design-build (bridging) is effective for mitigating risk but does not prioritize quality, which is not the client’s main concern. While it can help manage risk, cost may not be as tightly controlled as in other methods like Design-bid-build.

Question 15

Why is the Negotiated select team method not ideal for a client focused on cost and risk?

Answer 15

The Negotiated select team method allows the owner and architect to choose contractors based on quality, but it does not guarantee the most competitive cost due to the absence of bidding, which can leave costs higher than in methods like Design-bid-build.

Question 16

Why is the Construction Manager as Adviser method not ideal for a client focused primarily on cost and risk?

Answer 16

While the Construction Manager as Adviser method addresses risk, it focuses more on quality, which was not the client’s primary concern for the project. It does not prioritize cost competitiveness, making it less suitable for the client’s main objectives.

Question 17

Which project delivery method will allow the client to have a reliable cost established before design is complete?

Answer 17

Design-build (bridging)
Design-build (bridging) allows the client to establish a reliable cost before the design is complete, as the contractor is involved early in the process and can provide a more accurate cost estimate based on preliminary designs.

Question 18

Why is Construction Manager as Agent (CM-A) not the best option for providing the client with a reliable cost estimate before design is complete?

Answer 18

CM-A is not the best option because, while it can provide cost guidance during the design phases, the final, reliable cost estimate cannot be established until a contractor is chosen, leaving the client without a guaranteed price until later in the process.

Question 19

Why is the Cost Plus Fixed Fee method not suitable for providing a reliable cost estimate before design is complete?

Answer 19

In a cost plus fixed fee arrangement, while costs can be estimated throughout the project, the final cost isn’t known until the project is complete. This is because materials and labor are purchased throughout the project’s duration, and costs can vary from the initial estimates.

Reference: AIA B101-2017 (Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect)

Question 20

Why is Design-Bid-Build not suitable for providing a reliable cost estimate before design is complete?

Answer 20

In a design-bid-build project, the cost of the project is determined at bidding, when contractors establish their bid pricing based on the completed construction documents. This means the cost is only established after design completion.

Reference: AIA B101-2017 (Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect)

Question 21

What benefits might a startup firm experience by offering design-build and construction management services? (Check the three that apply.)

Answer 21

Additional streams of revenue: Diversifying the firm’s services will provide additional revenue and greater stability.

Collaboration with different kinds of designers: Entering into different market sectors will allow the firm to expand its network and collaborate with a variety of designers.

The ability to deliver more holistic solutions to clients: Offering more services, such as design-build, gives the architect greater control over the entire process.

Question 22

What is the benefit of stipulating a specific number of hours for the architect to complete the work for the fee?

Answer 22

Quantifying the work to be performed within a set number of hours addresses the owner’s desire for a clear scope and puts a finite limit on the architect’s services for the predetermined fee.

Question 23

What is the architect’s responsibility regarding the distribution of consultants’ drawings for coordination?

Answer 23

The architect is responsible for coordinating the drawings from all consultants, including those hired by the owner. The architect should distribute each consultant’s drawings to the others for coordination, as outlined in the agreement between the owner and architect, and in the agreement with the consultants.

Question 24

Who is responsible for ensuring the coordination of the mechanical/plumbing consultant’s drawings with the drawings from the other consultants on the project?

Answer 24

The architect is responsible for ensuring the coordination of the mechanical/plumbing consultant’s drawings with those of all other consultants on the project, including the electrical consultant.

Question 25

Can the mechanical/plumbing consultant coordinate directly with the electrical contractor to share drawings?

Answer 25

No, the mechanical/plumbing consultant must coordinate their drawings with the architect, who is responsible for ensuring coordination with all other consultants, including the electrical contractor.

Question 26

Who is responsible for distributing each consultant’s drawings for coordination among all parties?

Answer 26

The architect is responsible for distributing and coordinating the drawings of all consultants, not the owner. The architect handles the coordination of all drawings, even those from consultants hired directly by the owner.

Question 27

What should an architect review about the financial capabilities of the client when entering into a contract?

Answer 27

The architect should review the financial capabilities of a client up front to allow for reasonable payment schedules and set clear expectations, avoiding undue financial stress on the project. This helps avoid situations where a client cannot pay for services rendered, especially if scope or schedule creep occur.

Question 28

Why is it important for an architect to consider the legal rights pertaining to the project site when drafting a contract?

Answer 28

An architect should be aware of who owns the project site and how their legal rights affect the project. In some cases, the property owner differs from the client, so the architect needs to carefully consider which parties to include when collecting signatures and approvals to ensure a legally binding contract.

Question 29

Why is it important to know the entity represented by the client when drafting a contract?

Answer 29

Understanding whether the client is an individual, a corporation, or a small business provides insight into the financial capabilities and expertise of the client, which may affect how the contract is written.

Question 30

Why are cost-of-labor statistics not needed when determining profit for a project using in-house employees?

Answer 30

Cost-of-labor statistics from the past few years
Incorrect. These statistics are more relevant for setting up a firm or estimating fees for consultants. For a project with in-house staff, labor costs are already accounted for as part of the firm’s internal expenses, so these statistics aren’t necessary for determining project profit.

Question 31

Why aren’t standard industry fee rates the best guide for calculating profit on a project with a pre-set budget?

Answer 31

Standard fee rates can be helpful for general planning, but with a defined budget, profit should be calculated based on the specific project scope, budget, and employee pay rates.

Question 32

What are examples of standard fee rates used by architects?

Answer 32

Percentage of Construction Cost: Based on project type:
Residential: 10-15% of construction cost
Commercial: 5-10% of construction cost
Institutional: 6-12% of construction cost

Hourly Rates: Vary by role and experience:
Principal Architect: $150-$300 per hour
Project Architect: $100-$200 per hour
Intern/Drafter: $50-$100 per hour

Fixed or Lump-Sum Fee: Based on project effort, often used for straightforward projects.

Square Foot Rate: Used for specific projects like tenant improvements:
Tenant Fit-Out: $5-$10 per square foot
Retail Renovations: $8-$15 per square foot

Question 33

What is the next step an architect should take after receiving multiple bids from contractors?

Answer 33

Review the bids for discrepancies
The architect should review the bids for discrepancies, especially if there are significant price differences, to ensure all bids reflect the correct scope of work and identify any potential errors or omissions.

Question 34

What contract would the architect use in an integrated project delivery when the contract needs to be accompanied by the B195-2008 agreement between the owner, architect, and contractor?

Answer 34

AIA A295-2008, General Conditions of the Contract for Integrated Project Delivery

This contract would accompany the B195-2008 contract as the basis for construction. It is signed by the owner, architect, and contractor but is not the base contract between just the owner and architect.

Question 35

Which contract should the architect use as the base agreement between the owner and architect in an integrated project delivery scenario?

Answer 35

AIA B195-2008, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for Integrated Project Delivery

This contract is specifically designed for use between only the owner and architect in an integrated project delivery situation.

Question 36

Which contract should the architect use in a standard project delivery method when the contract is for construction and needs to be accompanied by the B101-2017 agreement?

Answer 36

AIA A201-2017, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction

This contract is for a standard project delivery and would accompany the B101-2017 contract as the basis for construction, making it unsuitable for integrated project delivery.

Question 37

Which contract should the architect use when the project is using integrated project delivery but the contract is a standard agreement between the owner and architect?

Answer 37

AIA B101-2017, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect

This is a standard contract between the owner and architect and is not appropriate for integrated project delivery, as the scenario specifies.

Question 38

What should the architect do if the existing AIA contract document does not fully meet the needs of a specific project?

Answer 38

Modify an existing AIA contract document based on the project’s needs

The architect should select an appropriate base contract and modify it as necessary. After purchasing AIA contracts, users are permitted to edit them following AIA guidelines to better suit their specific project requirements.

Question 39

What is the first step an architect should take when planning community outreach for a project?

Answer 39

Define the community

The architect must first identify the community that will be impacted by the project. This involves understanding the geographic area, surrounding context, and the key community members, including leaders and stakeholders. Accurate outreach cannot occur without first defining the community.

Question 40

What is the key benefit of the Construction Manager Guaranteed Maximum Price (CM GMP) delivery method?

Answer 40

Construction Manager Guaranteed Maximum Price

In the CM GMP system, the construction manager is involved early in the process, sometimes even before the architect. This method typically operates as cost-plus with a guaranteed maximum price, meaning the owner pays for the cost of the work plus an agreed-upon fee. The construction manager is responsible for any cost overruns. This system gives the owner an “open book” on project costs, allowing them to audit the project at any time. The CM GMP method is ideal when cost control is a major concern.

Question 41

Why can Contractor-led Design-Build compromise the architect’s typical obligations to the client?

Answer 41

Contractor-led Design-Build

Contractor-led design-build places the architect in a sub-contractual relationship with the contractor, which compromises the architect’s typical responsibilities to the client. The contractor may also manage the project in ways that affect the quality of work, as they have more control over the design and construction processes.

Question 42

How does Bridge Design-Build differ from traditional design-build?

Answer 42

Bridge Design-Build

Bridge Design-Build includes a design architect in the team alongside the design-build entity, which is responsible for producing the construction documents. This differs from traditional design-build, where a single entity manages both design and construction without the involvement of a separate design architect.

Question 43

Why does Design-Bid-Build lack flexibility for the owner in controlling project costs?

Answer 43

Design-Bid-Build

In Design-Bid-Build, the architect designs the project, and contractors bid on the completed plans. The method doesn’t provide an “open book” approach to project costs, making it difficult for the owner to track or adjust the costs of subs and suppliers during the process. Therefore, it lacks flexibility in managing the project budget.

Question 44

Why is it important to use clear and unambiguous language in AIA contracts?

Answer 44

Use clear, unambiguous language

The AIA states that contracts should use language that is unambiguous and easily understood by both users and interpreters (including courts and lawyers). This ensures clarity and reduces the potential for misunderstandings or disputes.

Question 45

What does the AIA suggest regarding creating agreements for clients or firms?

Answer 45

Create standard agreements

The AIA recommends using standard documents and agreements rather than creating individual agreements specific to each client or firm.

Question 46

How does the AIA recommend allocating risks in contracts?

Answer 46

Allocate risks to the party best able to control them

The AIA suggests that risks should be allocated to the party best able to control or protect against them, or to the owner when no other party can manage the risk or prevent the loss.

Question 47

What does the AIA say about using a lawyer to review contracts?

Answer 47

While it is a prudent practice, using a lawyer to review written documents is not explicitly stated as a guideline by the AIA.

Question 48

What should be done if the owner rejects a contractor’s bid?

Answer 48

Review and possibly alter the bidding process

If the owner rejects a bid, the architect may need to review the reason for the rejection and determine whether changes to the bidding process are necessary, with or without the architect’s involvement in the decision.

Question 49

Would the architect’s choice of subconsultants affect construction management services?

Answer 49

No. Subconsultants are typically retained before construction begins and do not affect construction management services, which focus on contractors and construction processes.

Question 50

Would changing room names on the drawings affect construction management services?

Answer 50

No. Changes to room names or verbiage usually don’t affect construction management services unless the room function changes, which could impact construction.

Question 51

Would a furniture vendor offering a substitution for a couch affect construction management services?

Answer 51

No. Substituting loose furniture like a couch would not affect the schedule, budget, or construction processes managed by construction management services.

Question 52

Which AIA contract is commonly used for Contractor-led Design-Build projects?

Answer 52

AIA A141. The AIA A141 is a standard form of agreement between the owner and design-builder, designed for Design-Build projects where the contractor assumes responsibility for both design and construction phases.

Question 53

In a Design-Build project, which contract might be used to formalize the relationship between the design-builder and architect?

Answer 53

AIA B143. The AIA B143 is used to define the agreement between the design-builder (often the contractor) and the architect, reflecting the architect’s role as a subcontractor to the contractor in a Design-Build project.

Question 54

Why are AIA A101 and A201 contracts less commonly used in Contractor-led Design-Build projects?

Answer 54

AIA A101 and A201 contracts are intended for traditional Design-Bid-Build projects, where the owner holds separate contracts with both the architect and the contractor. In Contractor-led Design-Build, the contractor takes on the role of both designer and builder, making A141 and B143 more suitable contract choices.