2. Site and Environment

Question 1

List the physical factors related to site planning. (chop)(6)

Answer 1

PHYSICAL

1. Climate
2. Topography
3. Geo / Soils
4. Utilities
5. Immediate Surroundings
6. General Services

Question 2

List the cultural factors related to site planning. (chop)(3)

Answer 2

CULTURAL

1. Site History
2. Land Use, ownership / control
3. Economic Value

Question 3

List the regulatory factors related to site planning. (chop)(4)

Answer 3

REGULATORY FACTORS:

1. Zoning Codes
2. Subdivision, Site Plan, local requirements
3. Environmental Regulations
4. Other Codes, bylaws, requirements

Question 4

List impacts of wind on a building/site (5)

Answer 4

WIND (CHING 1.22)

1. Positive pressure on windward side & negative pressure (suction) on Leeward side.
2. Outlets as large or larger than inlets for MAX AIRFLOW • Roof overhangs increase air intake
3. Window overhangs direct air up
4. Windbreaks on windward side key in cold climates
5. Wind shadow on windward and leeward side of any break or building

Question 5

How would you calculate a windward & leeward wind shadow created by a wind break? What 2 eddys are created on either side?

Answer 5

Windward = 2-5*H & creates a pressure eddy

Leeward = 10-15*H & creates a suction eddy

Question 6

Describe the Azimuth / Altitude / Solstice / Equinox.

Answer 6

Azimuth - angle of deviation from true south along the horizon

Altitude - angular elevation of sun above horizon (rise of the sun into the sky )

Solstice - Shortest(W) or longest(S) path of sun from East to West - The path of the sun is the shortest (W) or longest (S) from the Equador.

• Winter = shortest day of the year
• Summer = longest day of the year

Equinox - The sun is exactly above the Equator, making day and night exactly the same length.

Fall Sept 22 / spring March 21 = winter December 22 / summer June 21

Question 7

What is the effect of large bodies on water on or near a site?

Answer 7

1. heat reservoirs (Suck up heat during day and radiate heat at night)
2. Provide evap cooling effect

Question 8

For a COOL climate type (Region) describe the ideal form and orientation for a building:

Answer 8

COOL: Provide wind protection

Form: CUBE (less wall surface)

Orient: 12 deg E of S

Question 9

For a TEMPERATE climate type (Region) describe the ideal form and orientation for a building:

Answer 9

TEMPERATE:

• Minimize E/W Exposure as they are cooler in winter & hotter in summer

Form: RECTILINEAR

Orient: 17.5 deg E of S

Question 10

For a HOT / ARID climate type (Region) describe the ideal form and orientation for a building:

Answer 10

HOT / ARID:

• ​Use wind for evaporative cooling
• Reduce solar heat gain
• Provide solar shade for windows and open spaces

Form: RECTILINEAR w enclosed courtyard

Orient: 25 deg E of S

Question 11

For a HOT / HUMID climate type (Region) describe the ideal form and orientation for a building:

Answer 11

HOT / HUMID:

• Face South - Reduce Solar Heat Gain with punctured South Face
• Maximize wind flow for evap cooling

Form: LONG RECTILINEAR to minimize E/W exposure

Orient: 5 deg E of S

Question 12

What are the 2 different scales of temperature difference?

Answer 12

Macro - ex: summer is warmer bc of longer days

Micro - ex: South facing slopes warmer bc they protect from winds

Question 13

How would you measure the amount heat absorbed by a surface on the site?

Answer 13

ALBEDO mesured from zero (full absorption) to 1.0 (full reflectance)

Question 14

What is inc. in a legal property description? (3)

Answer 14

PROPERTY LIMITS described in terms of metes/bounds survey or rectangular grid survey system. example:

SE-12-20-33-W1

South East quarter of Section 12,

Township 20, Range 33, West of the first meridian

Question 15

List the following grade slopes and their implications on building construction:

1. Max. slope before erosion occurs
2. Max slope before activities are difficult
3. Range where activities are not too difficult
4. Ideal range for activities
5. min slope for drainage

Answer 15

1. 25% (hard to build on)
2. >10% (expensive to build on)
3. 5-10%
4. <5% (easy to build on)
5. 1-2%

Question 16

Describe each of the following:

1. Local Streets
2. Collector Streets
3. Arterial Streets
4. Expressways

Answer 16

1. Local Streets
   
   • lowest capacity & direct access to building sites
2. Collector Streets
   
   • connect local streets & arterial & expressways
3. Arterial Streets
   
   • major continuous circulation routes (2-3 lanes)
   • no parking
4. Expressways
   
   • connect arterial & move large volumes
   • can impact site by noise & visual impact

Question 17

What should be considered when placing site access?

Answer 17

access on opposite side of street - should be aligned where possible - avoid offset intersections

Question 18

What is the typical radius for corners of 90deg intersections for site circulation? and for access to residential drives?

Answer 18

20’ (6095)

7’ (2135)

Question 19

What effect will grass and groundcovers have on the site? (3)

Answer 19

1. increase permeability of soil for air/H20
2. lower air Temp. (absorb solar rays & evaporate)
3. stabilize soil

Question 20

What effect will vines have on the site? (3)

Answer 20

1. reduce heat gain on walls
2. provide shade
3. provide evaporative cooling

Question 21

Describe impacts of universal accessibility as it applies to the CIRCULATION PATHS of asite design. dims(3) qualities(4)

Answer 21

1. >1100mm wide
2. <1:20 slope & <1:50 cross-slope
3. 1500mm turn radius for wheelchairs
4. minimal road crossings
5. adequate space for for snow removal
6. tire stops to prevent vehicles from intruding on paths
7. distinguishing colours or texture

Question 22

Describe impacts of universal accessibility as it applies to the DIMENSIONS OF RAMPS within a site design. dims(3) qualities(4)

Answer 22

1. >870 clear b/w rails
2. 1:12 slope
3. 1500x1500mm landings
4. 1.2m long flats every 9m of ramp

Question 23

List the 7 key pieces of information found in a geotech report:

Answer 23

1. Bearing capacity of soil
2. Foundation design reccommendation
3. Paving design reccommendations
4. Compaction of soil
5. Lateral strength (active/passive, coefficient of friction)
6. Permeability
7. Frost Depth

Question 24

List 5 major types of information provided in an ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT.

Answer 24

1. Physical environment - existing structures, grades, surrounding uses
2. Geology, Hydrology & morphology
3. Flora/fauna & Biophysical wetlands, drainage, wells, sewage, flooding
4. Historical Uses - maps/aerial photos etc
5. Presence of contamination: Hazmat, PCB, ACMs, ASTs, USTs, Radon, Lead, Waste

Question 25

What is considered a high water table and how can it be mitigated?

Answer 25

High Water Table (6-8' below grade) - * Dewater & Granular Fill required

Question 26

What is considered POOR SOIL on a geo report and how can this be mitigated?

Answer 26

Poor Soils: Peat, clay, silt, or fine water bearing sands. * Pile foundations

Question 27

What is considered the ideal slope for a building site and why.

Answer 27

Gentle Slope (under 5%) - good bearing & excellent drainage

Question 28

List 4 types of retaining walls and the maximum height (for 2 of them).

Answer 28

1. **_Gravity wall_** max 10' (3048) * ​​resists overturning by sheer weight 2. **_T-type Cantilevered Wall_** * ​​reinforced concrete - weight of soil on upside down 'T' prevents overturning 3. **_Counterfort Wall_** * uses triangular cross walls to stiffen vertical slab * cross walls spaced at intervals equal to **1/2 H** of wall 4. **_L-type Cantilevered Wall_** * ​​used when the retaining wall abuts another property or obstruction

Question 29

Order from largest to smallest and describe each of the following 10 elements from a survey grid: * Principal Meridians * Range * Guide Meridians * Section * Range Lines * Standard lines * Halves & Quarters * Baseline * Township * Correction line

Answer 29

1. **Principal Meridians** - N/S ref. lines @ substantial landmarks 2. **East West Baseline** - principal meridian's counterpart 3. **Guide Meridians** - **N/S** ref. lines between correction lines @ 24 mile intervals (39km) to E/W of princ. meridians - adj. misaligned 4. **Correction Line** - **E/W** ref. lines @ 24 mile intervals (39km) to *N/S of baseline* - adjust misaligned meridians 5. **Range Lines** - N/S lines @ 6 mile interv. btwn *guide meridians* 6. **Standard Lines** - EW lines @ 6 mile interv. btwn *correction lines* 7. **Range** - on of a series of divisions defined by range line & standard lines 8. **Township** - range is divided into townships 9. **Section** - township is divided into **36 sections** each approx 1 sq mile (2.6km²) 10. **Halves / Quarters** * sections divided into **halves** * each halve divided into **2 quarters** * quarters divided into **4 quarter quarters**

Question 30

LEED has 6 main incidences on the building, which ones?

Answer 30

1. Ecological use of sites (reduce pollution) 2. Efficient use of water 3. Energy & atmosphere 4. Materials & ressources 5. Quality of interior spaces 6. Innovations and design methods