Architecture Architectural Design Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During schematic design, a client requests a major program change that increases the building area by 20%. What should the architect do first?
- Proceed and bill hourly without notification
- Absorb the extra work to maintain the relationship
- Refuse the change until construction documents are complete
- Issue an additional services request per the owner-architect agreement (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Issue an additional services request per the owner-architect agreement
Scope changes beyond the original program typically qualify as additional services requiring written authorization under the owner-architect agreement.
Question 2: Which phase of architectural services typically consumes the largest percentage of the design fee under a standard AIA B101 agreement?
- Construction administration
- Design development
- Construction documents (Correct answer)
- Schematic design
Correct answer: Construction documents
Construction documents traditionally represent the largest fee share, commonly around 40% of basic services.
Question 3: An architect discovers a code violation in a consultant's structural drawings during a coordination review. What is the appropriate action?
- Correct the structural drawings directly
- Report the consultant to the licensing board immediately
- Ignore it since the consultant seals their own work
- Notify the consultant and require correction before issuing the documents (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Notify the consultant and require correction before issuing the documents
The architect coordinates consultant work and must flag discrepancies for correction, but should not alter drawings sealed by another professional.
Question 4: In a design-bid-build project delivery method, when is the general contractor typically selected?
- During schematic design
- Before the architect is hired
- After construction documents are complete (Correct answer)
- During design development
Correct answer: After construction documents are complete
Design-bid-build is a linear process where contractors bid on completed construction documents.
Question 5: A zoning ordinance permits a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 2.0 on a 10,000 sf lot. What is the maximum allowable building floor area?
- 10,000 sf
- 5,000 sf
- 40,000 sf
- 20,000 sf (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 20,000 sf
FAR multiplied by lot area gives maximum floor area: 2.0 × 10,000 sf = 20,000 sf.
Question 6: Which document formally establishes the date of substantial completion on a construction project?
- The final change order
- The contractor's final payment application
- The certificate of occupancy
- AIA G704 Certificate of Substantial Completion (Correct answer)
Correct answer: AIA G704 Certificate of Substantial Completion
AIA G704 is the standard form the architect issues to certify substantial completion and establish warranty start dates.
Question 7: During programming, an architect uses adjacency matrices primarily to determine what?
- The project construction budget
- The structural grid spacing
- Which spaces should be located near each other (Correct answer)
- The mechanical system type
Correct answer: Which spaces should be located near each other
Adjacency matrices map required functional relationships between spaces to guide the floor plan organization.
Architecture Architectural Design Practice 2
During schematic design, a client requests a major program change that increases the building area by 20%.
What should the architect do first?