BArch Bachelor of Architecture Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. From 1899 until 1929, what building was the largest man-made structure on the planet? → Eiffel Tower
2. The architectural concept of 'compression and release' refers to which spatial experience? → Moving from a low, narrow space into a large, open one
3. Which type of foundation system is best suited for poor soil conditions where loads must be transferred to deep, stable strata? → Pile foundation
4. Which masonry unit is hollow, lightweight, and most commonly used for load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls in US commercial construction? → Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU)
5. What does the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) metric measure for a building? → Energy consumed per square foot of floor area per year (kBtu/sf/yr)
6. Which connection type in steel construction allows beam ends to rotate freely, transmitting shear but no moment? → Simple (pinned) connection
7. Which zoning designation typically allows a mix of residential units above retail storefronts? → MU Mixed-use
8. Who in America is credited with developing the modern skyscraper? → Louis Sullivan
9. What does 'fenestration' refer to in architectural terminology? → The arrangement and design of windows and openings in a building
10. In design studio terminology, what is a 'charrette'? → An intensive, collaborative design sprint with stakeholders to develop solutions quickly
11. Which scale is most commonly used for site plans in architectural design practice in the US? → 1" = 20'-0" or 1" = 40'-0"
12. Which principle of universal design ensures that the same means of use is provided for all users without segregation? → Principle 1: Equitable Use
13. In a one-point perspective drawing, where do all receding horizontal lines converge? → One central vanishing point located on the horizon line
14. In the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the maximum running slope for an accessible ramp is: → 1:12 (8.33%)
15. Which roofing membrane system consists of multiple layers of bitumen-saturated felts bonded with hot asphalt or coal tar? → Built-up roofing (BUR)
16. In reinforced concrete design, what is the purpose of stirrups? → To resist diagonal tension (shear) and confine the core
17. of the Masterformat, Division 7. → Thermal moisture protection
18. The term 'thermal mass' in passive solar design describes a material's ability to: → Absorb, store, and slowly release heat energy
19. Which Renaissance architect wrote 'De Re Aedificatoria,' the first printed book on architecture theory? → Leon Battista Alberti
20. In the AIA standard service model, during which project phase are construction documents (CDs) produced? → Construction Documents phase (Phase 4 of 5 basic services)
21. What is the primary purpose of an urban heat island mitigation strategy using high-albedo paving materials? → Reflect solar radiation to reduce surface temperatures in urban areas
22. In site analysis, what does a 'topographic survey' provide? → Contour lines showing the elevation and grade of the existing land surface
23. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (1997), designed by Frank Gehry, is often cited as the catalyst for the 'Bilbao Effect.' What does this term describe? → The economic and urban revitalization triggered by a landmark cultural building
24. In which structural system do loads follow a path of shell action rather than discrete beams and columns? → Thin-shell / folded plate structure
25. What is the standard architectural drawing scale for floor plans on construction documents? → 1/4" = 1'-0"
26. Which type of contract delivery method has the architect serving as the owner's agent overseeing a general contractor who holds all trade subcontracts? → Design-Bid-Build
27. Which passive solar design strategy involves storing daytime heat in dense materials and releasing it slowly at night? → Thermal mass
28. Which software platform is most widely used for parametric BIM modeling in contemporary US architectural practice? → Revit
29. The Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe exemplifies which design principle? → Universal space through a steel-and-glass open plan
30. Which passive solar design strategy uses thermal mass to absorb heat during the day and release it at night? → Indirect gain (Trombe wall)