EXAM GUIDE
Programming, Planning
& Practice
Overview 2
Knowledge / Skills 3
References 15
Overview
OVERVIEW
Knowledge/
Skills
Overview
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS
Knowledge/
Skills
Sample Multiple The division has been broken down into a listing of knowledge and skills for each major content area.
Choice Questions
Site Zoning
Vignette 1. PROGRAMMING & ANALYSIS 2. ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL &
(27-33 percent of scored items) ECONOMIC ISSUES
References
(17-23 percent of scored items)
A. Assess client needs and requirements to develop a master
plan and program. Document design objectives including A. Obtain and review site and building surveys. Assess
site characteristics, spatial and functional relationships, physical, environmental, social, and economic issues
and building systems considerations. Establish preliminary and project impact. Develop project concepts utilizing
project scope, phasing, budget, and schedule. sustainable principles, alternative energy systems, and new
1. Architectural Programming material technologies. Apply basic design principles and
Ascertain and translate client and user needs into descriptive historic precedent.
criteria to inform subsequent phases of design. 1. Regional Impact on Project
2. Interpreting Existing Site/Environmental Conditions and Data Research and analyze the regional impact of built,
Collect and assess site characteristics and related information environmental, and planned conditions as they affect or are
and data needed to inform the subsequent design. affected by the proposed project.
Overview
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS
Knowledge/
Skills
Site Zoning A. Identify, analyze, and incorporate building codes, specialty A. Develop scope of services and project delivery method.
Vignette codes, zoning, and other regulatory requirements. Manage Assess project budget and financing. Identify project
regulatory approval process. team members including consultants. Document project
References
1. Government and Regulatory Requirements and meetings. Manage project schedule and design process.
Permit Processes Assist with construction procurement. Manage legal
Identify and manage the prescribed planning, zoning, and issues relating to practice including fees, insurance, and
building code requirements of the proposed project design. professional services contracts.
2. Adaptive Reuse of Buildings and/or Materials 1. Project Delivery & Procurement Methods
Identify and incorporate planning, zoning, and building code Determine the delivery and construction procurement method
requirements relative to repurposed buildings and reused based on client requirements.
materials for the proposed project. 2. Project Budget Management
3. Specialty Codes and Regulations including Accessibility Laws, Determine fiscal requirements and apply appropriate
Codes and Guidelines methodology and techniques to manage project budgets.
Identify and incorporate relevant specialty codes into the 3. Project Schedule Management
proposed project design. Establish and manage the professional service schedules for
the project.
4. Contracts for Professional Services and Contract Negotiation
Determine, negotiate, execute, and manage the professional
services agreements for the project.
6. Risk Management and Legal Issues Pertaining to Practice
and Contracts
Assess and manage risk and legal issues related to the business
and practice of architecture.
Overview
SAMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS Go to page 11 for answers
Knowledge/
Skills
1. After the contract for construction has been awarded, 4. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Sample Multiple
Choice Questions the contractor shall next prepare which of the following which of the following is true about lead-based paints in
for the architect’s review? an existing building that is being renovated as housing
Site Zoning o A request for payment for the elderly?
Vignette o A list of materials o The lead content concern is less for buildings
o A schedule of construction constructed after 1960.
References
o A lien release o Occupant health risks are less of a concern if no
children will be living in the facility.
o The lead paint must be completely removed in
2. According to AIA Document C401, the consultant’s areas being renovated.
services should be coordinated with the services of o Contractor health risks are a concern only if the
which other party? lead paint is sawed, ground, or sandblasted.
o Owner
o Contractor
o Architect 5. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
o Construction manager Accessibility Guidelines, curb ramp slopes shall NOT
exceed which of the following ratios?
o 1:10
3. Which of the following consultant engineers typically o 1:12
consumes the greatest percentage of project fees on o 1:20
school projects? o 1:24
o Civil
o Electrical
o Mechanical 6. Which of the following creates the majority of indoor air
o Structural quality problems?
o Inside contamination
o Inadequate ventilation
o Construction materials
o Contamination from the outside
Overview
SAMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS Go to page 11 for answers
Knowledge/
Skills
7. Which of the following types of estimates is the 10. Which of the following client categories most often
Sample Multiple
Choice Questions most accurate? requires the architect to transfer ownership of the
o Order of magnitude architect’s construction documents to the owner/client?
Site Zoning o Square foot and cubic foot o Corporate
Vignette o Assemblies system o Health care
o Unit price takeoff o Commercial
References
o Governmental
Overview
SAMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS Go to page 11 for answers
Knowledge/
Skills
Sample Multiple
13. Which of the following plazas in identical urban settings 15. Geotechnical observation reports are usually paid for
Choice Questions would encourage active public use? by the
o structural engineer
Site Zoning o o contractor
Vignette o architect
o owner
References
o
16. Blocking and stacking within the programming process
is most critical when considering
o space requirements
o o special equipment
o site limitations
o building systems
o
17. In order to provide the most effective coordination of
the engineering consultant’s work during the construction
documents phase of the work, the architect should
14. The threshold for sound levels that cause fatigue after o call the consultant daily to make sure that progress
prolonged exposure is approximately is being made
o 20 db o meet with the consultant at the beginning and the end
o 50 db of the work period
o 80 db o hold regular weekly or monthly meetings to review
o 110 db the consultant’s progress
o send memos of telephone conversations as needed
Overview
SAMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS Go to page 11 for answers
Knowledge/
Skills
18. Which of the following is the most important 22. According to standard owner/architect agreements, a
Sample Multiple
Choice Questions consideration when the architect/owner contract is presentation model for the client’s promotional use is
negotiated? o part of the design process
Site Zoning o Client background check o standard practice
Vignette o Type of consultants o not a basic service
o Construction delivery method o not reimbursable
References
o Scope of services
Overview
SAMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS Go to page 11 for answers
Knowledge/
Skills
26. The most appropriate strategy for predicting and 29. Production management is an important element in the
Sample Multiple
Choice Questions preventing conflicts between architectural and success of an architectural firm. Which of the following is
engineering documents is to a major ingredient for improvement of production?
Site Zoning o hold regular coordination meetings o Employee benefits
Vignette o have the owner review drawings o Communication with employees
o schedule peer review of documents o Office renovation
References
o use in-house engineers o Purchase of reproduction equipment
27. Which of the following aspects of a site is included in a 30. The size and/or configuration of public rest room facilities
deed restriction? is regulated by which of the following?
o Topography o Deed restrictions
o Utility locations o Building codes
o Benchmarks o Zoning ordinances
o Covenants o Life-safety codes
28. The architect for a new shopping center has been told 31. During the programming phase, building construction cost
that the city has a “ponding” requirement for the site. estimates are normally based on which of the following?
This means that the architect must provide o Itemized materials takeoffs
o a decorative water pond as part of the o Operating proformas
parking-lot landscaping o Cubic-foot costs of similar buildings
o a French-drain system in the parking areas to o Square-foot costs of similar buildings
pond water
o an area where excess rainwater can be retained and
discharged into a storm sewer 32. Finding mold on pipe insulation is a sign that which of
o a system for the underground collection and disposal the following is present? Check the three that apply.
of rainwater o A. Excess moisture
o B. Poor soils
o C. Improper ventilation
o D. High water table
o E. Organic feedstock
o F. Insufficient light levels
Overview
SAMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS Go to page 11 for answers
Knowledge/
Skills
Sample Multiple
Choice Questions 33. An architectural program should contain which of
the following? Check the four that apply.
Site Zoning o A. Budget limitations
Vignette o B. Soils bearing capacity
o C. A statement of the owner’s goals
References
o D. An inventory of spaces required
o E. Statements of functional relationships
o F. Determination of the structural system
Overview
SAMPLE MULTIPLE-CHOICE ANSWERS Go to page 11 for answers
Knowledge/
Skills
14. 80 db
15. owner
16. site limitations
17. hold regular weekly or monthly meetings to review
the consultant’s progress
18. Scope of services
19. realistic requirements
20. Offsets local infrastructure improvement costs
Overview
SITE ZONING VIGNETTE
Knowledge/
Skills
Sample Multiple Directions 4. On the grid, draw the profile of the maximum building
Choice Questions On the work screen, you will see a site plan of an existing envelope for each lot at Section A-A. (Use the Building
property that has been divided into two new lots. The tools Profile tool.)
Site Zoning available will allow you to outline the area suitable for the
Vignette Observe all of the following restrictions:
construction of surface improvements and the area suitable
for construction of buildings only. u Surface improvements are prohibited within 5 ft of
References
any property line.
On the grid below the site plan, you are required to draw the u Construction of buildings is prohibited within the
profile of the existing grade and to draw the profile of the following setbacks. (All setbacks are measured from
maximum building envelope for each lot. the property lines of the two new lots.)
u Front yard setbacks shall be considered only from
Before beginning your solution, you should review the program Main Street.
that can be accessed through the Vignette Index screen and Front yard setbacks from property line
familiarize yourself with the site plan and the grid on the work along Main Street: 25 ft
screen. Rear yard setbacks: 30 ft
Side yard setbacks: 10 ft
Your completed work should conform to the program and the u Construction of buildings and other surface
Knowledge/ u D
raw the Secondary Construction
Skills Area before you draw the
Shoreline restriction Buildable Area.
Sample Multiple properly interpreted.
Choice Questions u W
hen elements overlap, you
may have trouble selecting a
Site Zoning All restrictions are particular element. If this happens,
Vignette drawn correctly. keep clicking (without moving
the mouse) until the desired
References element highlights.
While this layout has a few minor errors, none were serious and has been excluded from the construction envelope. The
enough to cause it to fail. Front, side and rear yard restrictions minor mistakes in this solution are in the depths of the Secondary
have been located correctly. The Shoreline setback and the Construction Area setbacks along the center property line. One
Easement are shown to be more restrictive than the side yard side is measured at four feet and the other at six feet. There are
and rear yard setbacks. The horizontal and vertical setbacks and tolerances built into the scoring programs, but it is advisable to
limits are maintained. The angled line is measured 30 degrees try and create your solutions as accurately as possible. Use the
from the horizontal and originates at the correct point. The “Zoom” tool often to locate elements more precisely.
easement in the middle of the site has been located properly
August 2015 ARE® 4.0 13
Programming
Planning &
Practice
85 MC Questions
PROGRAMMING, PLANNING & PRACTICE
+
1 Vignette
Overview
SITE ZONING VIGNETTE - Sample Failing Solution
Knowledge/
Skills
Sample Multiple
Choice Questions
Site Zoning
Vignette
Secondary construction
References
is permitted over the
drainage easement.
Origin of angled
setback is in wrong
location.
The solution shows a good technique for measuring offsets not allow the Secondary Construction Area to fall over the
(setbacks, easements, etc.) from a curved or angled line. The easement as permitted. Also, the angled solar access restriction
solution itself has a few problems, however. The candidate has its beginning point located incorrectly. This creates a
mistook the easement down the middle of the site as being condition where the maximum building envelope, as drawn, is
restrictive of non-building surface improvements and did smaller than allowed (vertically) and is therefore unacceptable.
Overview
REFERENCES
Knowledge/
Skills
Sample Multiple
The following references are presented to assist candidates in preparation for the examination. This list represents texts that
Choice Questions have content covered in this division of the examination. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible reference
materials for the subject area. NCARB makes no guarantee that the various references are currently in print.
Site Zoning
Vignette The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice This list represents the significant AIA documents that have
The American Institute of Architects content covered in the Programming, Planning, & Practice
References John Wiley & Sons, 13th & 14th editions portion of the examination, and is not intended to be an
exhaustive list of all possible references for this division of the
Architectural Design Portable Handbook examination.
Andy Pressman
McGraw Hill, 2001 Conventional Family
A101-2007 Standard Form of Agreement Between
Architectural Graphic Standards Owner and Contractor where the basis of
The American Institute of Architects payment is a Stipulated Sum
John Wiley & Sons, latest edition A201-2007 General Conditions of the Contract
for Construction
Problem Seeking: An Architectural Programming Primer A701-1997 Instructions to Bidders
William M. Peña, Steven A. Parshall B101-2007 Standard Form of Agreement Between
John Wiley & Sons, latest edition Owner and Architect
C401-2007 Standard Form of Agreement Between
Professional Practice a Guide to Turning Design into Buildings Architect and Consultant
Paul Segal
WW Norton & Co, 2006