Architecture and Design Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Architecture and Design facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a maximum slope of _____ for an accessible ramp. → 1:12 (8.33%)
2. What does 'net-zero energy building' mean? → A building that generates as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis
3. A two-way slab system differs from a one-way slab in that: → It spans in two directions and is supported on all four sides
4. Low-E glass coatings on windows primarily work by: → Reflecting infrared radiation while transmitting visible light
5. In seismic design, the concept of 'base isolation' involves: → Placing flexible isolators between the foundation and structure to decouple seismic motion
6. What does 'LEED' stand for in sustainable building certification? → Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
7. What does 'ASHRAE 90.1' govern? → Energy efficiency standards for commercial buildings (except low-rise residential)
8. What is the minimum slope required for horizontal drain and waste pipes 3 inches or smaller in diameter per the International Plumbing Code? → 1/4 inch per foot
9. Which type of foundation is most appropriate for expansive clay soils? → Pile foundation
10. What is the primary function of a cooling tower in a commercial chilled-water HVAC system? → To reject condenser heat from the refrigeration cycle to the atmosphere
11. Which strategy reduces potable water consumption in buildings by using captured rainwater or treated greywater? → Non-potable water reuse for irrigation and toilet flushing
12. The 'five-minute walk' (roughly 1/4 mile) is used in urban design as a standard for: → Comfortable pedestrian catchment area for transit stops and neighborhood amenities
13. What is the primary purpose of a P-trap in a plumbing drain system? → To block toxic sewer gases from entering the building through the drain opening
14. What is the primary purpose of a vapor barrier in wall construction? → To prevent moisture migration through the assembly
15. The Baroque style in architecture is best described as: → Ornate and dramatic with dynamic forms
16. Which LEED credit category rewards strategies that minimize site disturbance and protect natural features? → Sustainable Sites
17. New Urbanism is a planning movement that advocates for: → Mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods designed around human-scale streets and transit
18. Which insulation material has the highest R-value per inch? → Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam
19. According to ADA standards, the minimum clear width of an accessible route is: → 36 inches
20. Which refrigerant largely replaced R-22 in HVAC systems following environmental regulations phasing out ozone-depleting substances? → R-410A
21. What is a 'form-based code'? → A zoning code that regulates building form and placement rather than land use categories
22. What does 'dead load' refer to in structural design? → The permanent weight of the building's own structure and fixed components
23. Which style used structural elements like exposed steel and glass as aesthetic features in the mid-20th century? → International Style
24. In wood construction, what is 'blocking' used for? → Providing lateral support, transferring loads, and providing nailing surfaces
25. What does 'STC rating' measure in building materials? → Sound Transmission Class
26. Under the IBC, 'travel distance' in means of egress refers to: → The maximum walking distance from any point in a floor to the nearest exit
27. What type of structural system uses a series of triangulated members to span large distances? → Truss
28. What does 'w/c ratio' refer to in concrete mix design? → Water-to-cement ratio
29. Which architectural style is exemplified by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao? → Deconstructivism
30. Art Deco architecture is most closely associated with which decade? → 1920s–1930s