NCARB Project-Planning-Design Exam Prep Guide Prep guide for the Project-Planning-Design Exam [Q36-Q51]

QUESTION 36
In order to minimize stratification, in a forced-air heating system, which locations of supply and return grilles should be avoided?

QUESTION 37
A new gallery is being built and requires shading elements to protect the light-sensitive artwork on display.
Which of the following are design criteria relevant to the design of shading components on the west facade of the new gallery? Check the three that apply.

QUESTION 38
An architect has just received client approval of the Schematic Design documents for a three-story, outpatient medical clinic. The clinic is located within a mixed-use development governed by a City-approved Planned Development (PD) document. The medical clinic design utilizes standardized departmental layouts and includes outpatient clinics, as well as treatment spaces, administrative spaces and public/lobby spaces.
The site needs to accommodate four different vehicular traffic flows: patient traffic, staff traffic, service and delivery traffic, and emergency services traffic. In addition, a pedestrian plaza must connect to the mixed-use development sidewalks. The plaza must provide space for bicycle parking and will serve as the future bus stop.
The site design addresses several challenges related to building orientation. The southeast facade, with excellent visibility from the highway, is the location of all service equipment. The building entrance faces northwest, convenient to the parking but not visible from the highway.
The client believes future patient volumes will outgrow the clinic. The PD document allows for a planned Phase 2 development on the adjacent vacant site to the southwest. Phase 2 would include a second building (2 story, 80,000 BGSF) and/or a parking deck.
Other considerations for the project include:
* Protected tree requirements are defined in the PD document.
* Easy pedestrian access must be provided from Sycamore Boulevard.
* All required parking for the clinic must be accommodated on site.
* Programmed area includes 109,450 Departmental Gross Square Feet (DGSF) / 130,184 Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF).
* Exterior material percentages are dictated by the PD document and shall not exceed specific percentages for Primary and Secondary Finishes.
* All service equipment needs to be screened; see PD document for restrictions.
* Signage opportunities are important to the client.
* Acoustical privacy is a concern of the healthcare system.
The following resources are available for your reference:
* Drawings, including a perspective, plans, and exterior elevations
* Building Program, including client’s departmental program and detailed program for Treatment 01 (Infusion)
* Exterior Material Cost Comparisons
* Planned Development Document
* IBC Excerpts, showing relevant code sections
* ADA Excerpts, showing relevant sections from the ADA Standards for Accessible Design The developer decides that the 4-inch terra cotta exterior veneer is too expensive, and wants to replace the terra cotta with an alternative finish in its entirety.
Which of the following alternative materials should the architect suggest to reduce cost and meet the Planned Development Document requirements? Check the two that apply.

QUESTION 39
Refer to the exhibit (residential floor plan with three outlined elevator core locations A, B, C).

During design development, an owner has chosen an elevator that does not fit in the location previously selected for the two-car elevator core. The elevator core should be near the main entrance lobby and centrally located. The minimum program requirements for each residential floor are the following:
One bicycle room
Five studios
Five 1-bed units
Eight 2-bed units
Three 3-bed units
Which outlined location meets the requirements?

QUESTION 40
An architect is designing overhangs for a building on a site in the southeastern United States. The architect desires to minimize heat gain during the summer months.
Click in the sun on the solar path diagram that the architect should consider when designing the overhangs.

QUESTION 41
Which statement accurately describes the use of an electrical conduit?

QUESTION 42
An elementary school requires a renovation, selective demolition, and a major addition in order to accommodate a growing student population. An architectural firm has prepared schematic design plans incorporating the school’s increased programmatic needs, including an enlarged library, cafeteria, and gymnasium; a secure courtyard; and additional space for administrative offices and classrooms. The main entrance was relocated in order to improve the traffic and pedestrian flow at the beginning and end of the school day, and additional parking was provided to comply with current zoning requirements.
The existing single-story masonry building was built in 1950. Two small additions were built later: the north addition will be kept and repurposed, but the south addition will be demolished. The building contains asbestos and lead in roof soffits, floor tiles, pipe insulation, and window paint. All existing mechanical systems need to be replaced; new systems have not been selected.
Considerations for the renovation include:
*The relocated front entrance must be easily recognizable, highly visible, and secure.
*Interior and exterior materials need to be durable and maintainable in order to withstand frequent student abuse, but also economical due to strict budget limitations.
*Good indoor air quality and increased energy efficiency are priorities for the selection of mechanical equipment.
After completion, the entire school should look uniform, without a distinctive difference between the existing building and new addition.
Building information:
*Construction Type is II-B.
The following resources are available for your reference:
*Existing Plans, including site and floor plans
*Proposed Plans, including site and floor plans
*Cost Analysis
*Zoning Ordinance Excerpts, for off-street parking requirements
*IBC Excerpts, showing relevant code sections
*ADA Standards Excerpts, showing relevant sections from the ADA Standards for Accessible Design An elementary school library has an occupancy load of 150.
What is the minimum clear opening width required?

QUESTION 43
An architect’s client is focused on lighting energy savings and daylighting design in a new 3,000 ft² commercial building addition to expand showroom and office square footage. The client requests reasonable daylighting measures in the design.
What should the architect recommend to the client?

QUESTION 44
When considering the IBC requirements, an architect can increase the number of options from which to select structural materials for an office building by doing which one of the following?

QUESTION 45
An owner requests full height, motorized solar shades for the lobby curtainwall.
Click on the area of the section detail where the shade should be installed so that it is concealed from the lobby.

QUESTION 46
The zoning approval process may involve obtaining which of the following? Check the four that apply.

QUESTION 47
On the site plan, the Phase I building is a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic. The Phase II building is a boarding kennel for dogs and cats. The cat enclosures will face north for views of the wetlands. Eventually, a landscape architect will design a memorial garden on the northwest area of the site.
The architect needs to locate a service drive for the property and wants to minimize the impact of construction on site vegetation and wildlife.
Click on the property line location on the site plan to indicate the appropriate location for the service drive.

QUESTION 48
A new four-story apartment building is being designed on a site that has solid bedrock subsurface conditions.
The client requested the lowest cost of installation, highest energy efficiency, the shortest round trip time, and minimized loss of usable building space.
Which elevator type should the architect recommend?

QUESTION 49
Click in the structural bay of the elevation that is the most appropriate location to install steel rod cross bracing.

QUESTION 50
An architect has just received client approval of the Schematic Design documents for a three-story, outpatient medical clinic. The clinic is located within a mixed-use development governed by a City-approved Planned Development (PD) document. The medical clinic design utilizes standardized departmental layouts and includes outpatient clinics, as well as treatment spaces, administrative spaces and public/lobby spaces.
The site needs to accommodate four different vehicular traffic flows: patient traffic, staff traffic, service and delivery traffic, and emergency services traffic. In addition, a pedestrian plaza must connect to the mixed-use development sidewalks. The plaza must provide space for bicycle parking and will serve as the future bus stop.
The site design addresses several challenges related to building orientation. The southeast facade, with excellent visibility from the highway, is the location of all service equipment. The building entrance faces northwest, convenient to the parking but not visible from the highway.
The client believes future patient volumes will outgrow the clinic. The PD document allows for a planned Phase 2 development on the adjacent vacant site to the southwest. Phase 2 would include a second building (2 story, 80,000 BGSF) and/or a parking deck.
Other considerations for the project include:
* Protected tree requirements are defined in the PD document.
* Easy pedestrian access must be provided from Sycamore Boulevard.
* All required parking for the clinic must be accommodated on site.
* Programmed area includes 109,450 Departmental Gross Square Feet (DGSF) / 130,184 Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF).
* Exterior material percentages are dictated by the PD document and shall not exceed specific percentages for Primary and Secondary Finishes.
* All service equipment needs to be screened; see PD document for restrictions.
* Signage opportunities are important to the client.
* Acoustical privacy is a concern of the healthcare system.
The following resources are available for your reference:
* Drawings, including a perspective, plans, and exterior elevations
* Building Program, including client’s departmental program and detailed program for Treatment 01 (Infusion)
* Exterior Material Cost Comparisons
* Planned Development Document
* IBC Excerpts, showing relevant code sections
* ADA Excerpts, showing relevant sections from the ADA Standards for Accessible Design


Which of the following design strategies would best address the vehicular circulation, visibility, and future expansion challenges for this project? Select the best answer.

QUESTION 51

Refer to the exhibit (site designs A through D with tree and shrub placement and prevailing northwest winds indicated).
Which of the following site designs would best protect the structure from prevailing northwest winds?