Site Analysis & Programming Flashcards
Define a Preliminary
Survey.
Preliminary survey: a basic plan showing the boundaries, orientation (north) and maybe some major features. This is used to prepare initial design plans.
What is a Construction
Survey?
Construction Survey: A highly detailed plan showing the exact conditions of the site, details, existing structures, topography,
offsets and benchmarks.
What is a Possession
Survey and why is it
used?
Possession Surveys, often called “As-Builts”
reflect the project as it actually exists, reflecting all changes that may have
occurred during construction from the
construction documents.
These are vital for any future projects and for reference in general.
They are typically transferred from Owner to Owner if there is a sale of the property.
What is the difference
between a geodetic
survey and a plane
survey?
A Geodetic survey takes into account the spherical shape of the Earth, and describes
large land areas with great precision (eliminates distortion).
A Plane survey presents the site as a flat plane. Although technically distorted, this
is the one used most often.
Name two types of
surveys that are
considered plane
surveys?
Land Survey
Topographic Survey
In relation to surveys,
what are parallels and
meridians?
Parallels are lines that run E-W, parallel to the Earth’s latitude lines.
Meridians are lines that run N-S, parallel to the Earth’s longitudinal lines.
Name 5 typical
elements that would
appear on a topographic survey?
- Contour intervals
- Crown/Ridges
- Swale/Valley
- Hills
- Depressions
What level of survey would be sending an office employee to survey the site conditions for a new project be?
Preliminary Survey
Such a survey would not include topography, offsets, or benchmarks.
What is a baseline?
A baseline is a parallel line (following the latitudes of Earth) used as the basis for the east – west layout of the US Survey system.
On a survey, a reference to the distance above sea level or some other established reference point is called a:
Datum
In terms of a
topographical map,
what are concave
slopes?
Concave slopes are where the ground is scoped out (like a cave). They’re shown by parallel contours spaced at decreasing intervals going uphill.
The closer contours are at the higher elevation.
Water will collect and pool in a concave slope.
In terms of a
topographical map,
what are convex slopes?
Are where the ground slopes like the top of
a circle (think contact lens).
They’re shown by parallel contours spaced
at increasing intervals going uphill. The closer contours are at the lower elevation.
Water will shed away from a convex slope.
What is a ridge?
A ridge is a long, thin flat area that slopes down on both sides.
A ridge is indicated by contours which point downhill.
Water will shed down both sides of a ridge.
How are summits and
depressions depicted
on a topographic map?
Summits are high flat areas and depressions are low areas. They’re represented by concentric closed contours.
For both forms, spot elevations should be
included at the highest or lowest spot.
What is a spot
elevation?
A number corresponding to the exact elevation at a key point on the ground.
Which is permitted to
be steeper: a cut slope
or a filled slope?
Cut slope.
Cut earth is generally more stable than filled earth (since the cut earth has been
there for millions of years). Because of this, cut slopes are generally permitted to be steeper than filled slopes.
What is the least
expensive and most
convenient way to
grade a site?
Balance the amount of cut and fill. In other words, the amount being cut on one part of the site should be used for fill on another
part.
Define Riparian Rights.
A system of rights and duties that determine the reasonable use, duties, and
allocations of water to Owners of waterfront property (includes bottomland, beach, and upland, but not the water itself).
Owners can use water adjacent to their property, but can’t infringe upon the rights of others to use the water.
In Land division terms,
a “Check” refers to
what?
A check refers to each 24 mile square created by the meridians and parallels, and
divided into 16 townships.
What does Sheet Flow
refer to?
Sheet flow refers to water that flows across paved surfaces.
Describe the difference
between meridians and
parallels.
Longitudinal lines running North – South are called “meridians.” Lines between these are called range lines.
Latitudinal lines running East – West are called “parallels.” (Some are called base lines) Lines between the parallels are called township lines.
Define the following
terms: Check, Township,
Section, Quarter
A check refers to each 24 mile square created by
the meridians and parallels.
Each check is divided into four by four squares,
creating 16 townships per check. Each township is 6
miles square and numbered and designated as North or South of the base line and east or west of principal meridian.
Townships are subdivided into 6 by 6 squares, creating 36 square sections (each one square mile).
Sections are divided into 4 quarters (each 1/4 square mile).
Quarters: Sections are divided into 4 quarters.
What is the difference
between a retention
pond and a detention
pond?
Retention ponds are designed to keep water indefinitely.
Detention ponds allow water to seep into the ground.
A detention pond is a low lying area that is designed to temporarily hold a set amount of water while slowly draining to another
location. They are often used for flood control when large amounts of rain could
cause flash flooding if not dealt with properly.
What is a typical slope
for a sidewalk (not cross slope)?
A typical slope for a sidewalk is 4-10%.
In general, why are rural
sites more expensive to
develop than urban or
suburban sites?
Rural sites often have limited, outdated or no utilities.
Adding, extending, or altering utilities can add greatly to the cost of a project.
How could a building
design be impacted if a
high water table is
discovered on the site?
Groundwater within 6 feet of land surface may cause an issue with the foundation.
Solutions can include: pump water out of excavation; waterproof the basement walls; design the basement walls to resist hydrostatic pressure; install a continuous drain pipe along the foundation.
A feasibility study is
likely to include at least:
Site Considerations, Location
considerations, and Identifying potential
land issues, codes/ordinances.
Name 4 parts of a
Program Document.
- Programming Statement: a detailed description of the functional requirements, expressed in a narrative form, that are to be achieved in a construction project. A programming statement is
applicable to new construction, remodeling and renovation projects. - Relationship and Flow Diagrams: preliminary diagrams and sketches showing relationships and
flow between spaces, which can be helpful for the Architect during the schematic design phase. - Functional Program: raw data on number of users,
times of use, operational needs and more for analysis and development of a Facilities Program; often provided by the owner as standard space requirements. - Facilities Program: a list of the scope, area
requirements, adjacencies, costs and site analysis.
- Facilities Program: a list of the scope, area
What 3 graphic tools can an Architect use to perform a functional analysis of the client's needs?
- Matrix Chart
- Bubble Diagram
- Blocking and Stacking
These graphic tools are helpful to solve the layout of building spaces as well as determine hierarchy.
They are also simple and flexible enough to change easily with input from the Owner.
Describe the difference
between Net Area and
Gross Area.
Net Area: Area of spaces within a building NOT including circulation, building structure and mechanical spaces.
Gross Area: Area of all building spaces, including circulation, building structure and mechanical spaces.
Why is it a good idea to
allow for 10-20%
additional space within
a programming layout?
This additional space will allow the Architect to design a building that is flexible and allows for future expansion.
Define an Efficiency
Ratio.
An Efficiency Ratio is a ratio of the Net versus Gross areas within a building.
Many buildings tend to fall in the 60-80% efficiency range.
Simple buildings such as single family homes and offices are more efficient since they require less space for circulation and building systems.
Complex buildings such as hospitals tend to be less efficient due to their high level of building system infrastructure required in order for the building to function properly.
Arrange the following in order from largest to smallest: Total Building Group, Space Unit, Activity Center, Component Building.
- Total Building Group
- Component Building
- Activity Center
- Space Unit
What Program Format is each of the following a good example of (in order): City Hall, Conference Room, Civic Center, Department of Planning?
- Component Building
- Space Unit
- Total Building Group
- Activity Center
What is a swale?
An elongated depression in the land that carries water downhill.
Since water flows into swales, they are seasonally wet, and usually well-vegetated since seeds get carried into the swale.
Name of the 10 major
factors in potential site
feasibility and development.
- Climate
- Topography
- Drainage
- Soil
- Natural features
- Built features
- Utilities
- Access points
- Traffic patterns
- Easements
Define a ‘Possession’
level survey.
Also know as an “as-built” survey. This is done after construction to document the final, completed project.
What do closely spaced
contours indicate?
A steep slope.
Name the 4 Land
Division Terms.
- Check
- Township
- Section
- Quarter Section
In which regions would
water table concerns
require even more
special consideration.
Colder regions where water freezes causing expansion.
List the 6 possible
surveys/inspections an
owner may opt for with
an existing building.
- Site Survey
- Soils Report
- Foundation Survey
- Structural Systems
- Major Building Systems
- Tests for hazardous materials
Name some of the
advantages of bubble
diagrams.
They allow the client to quickly get a sense of the layout.
They are quick to draw.
They allow you to easily produce several options for the layouts The final bubble
diagram will help guide the design of the schematic floor plans.
Regarding a south facing exposure what kinds of elements can be introduced to control summer sun?
Overhangs and deciduous trees
Keeping warm air inside
a structure informs
design elements. Name
two.
Type and thickness of walls and roof.
The size and location of windows.
Define ‘Net Area’.
The interior floor area of all of the functional spaces within the building.
(Measured from inside the walls)
