BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Landscape Architecture 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The concept of 'borrowed scenery' (shakkei) originates from which garden design tradition?
- Italian Renaissance gardens
- English landscape movement
- Japanese garden design (Correct answer)
- French formal gardens
Correct answer: Japanese garden design
Shakkei is a Japanese design technique that incorporates distant landscapes—mountains, trees, or sky—into a garden's composition to extend its perceived space.
Question 2: Which of the following best defines 'edge effect' in landscape ecology?
- The visual boundary created by contrasting plant textures in a planting bed
- Increased species diversity and activity at the transition zone between two habitats (Correct answer)
- The erosion pattern along a watercourse bank
- Wind turbulence created at the perimeter of a windbreak planting
Correct answer: Increased species diversity and activity at the transition zone between two habitats
Edge effect describes the phenomenon where habitat boundaries (ecotones) support greater species richness due to access to resources from two adjacent ecosystems.
Question 3: A landscape architect specifies a plant as 'Quercus alba' — what information does this binomial nomenclature convey?
- The plant's common name and regional variety
- The genus (Quercus) and species (alba) in the Linnaean classification system (Correct answer)
- The cultivar name and patent status
- The hardiness zone range and soil preference
Correct answer: The genus (Quercus) and species (alba) in the Linnaean classification system
Binomial nomenclature uses genus and species names in Latin to precisely identify plants universally, regardless of regional common name variations.
Question 4: Which land use planning tool designates specific zones for residential, commercial, or industrial use to guide development?
- Comprehensive General Plan
- Zoning Ordinance (Correct answer)
- Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
- Subdivision Map Act
Correct answer: Zoning Ordinance
A Zoning Ordinance is a local law that regulates land use by dividing a jurisdiction into districts with specific permitted uses, setbacks, and development standards.
Question 5: The term 'albedo' in sustainable landscape design refers to:
- The reflectivity of a surface expressed as a ratio of reflected to incident light (Correct answer)
- The amount of CO2 sequestered by a tree canopy annually
- The evapotranspiration rate of a turf grass lawn
- The light penetration depth through a water body
Correct answer: The reflectivity of a surface expressed as a ratio of reflected to incident light
Albedo measures how much solar radiation a surface reflects; high-albedo materials (light-colored pavements, vegetation) reduce heat absorption and mitigate urban heat islands.
Question 6: In the context of BLArch accreditation, which organization is responsible for accrediting landscape architecture degree programs in the United States?
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) (Correct answer)
- Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB)
- National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
Correct answer: Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB)
LAAB is the accrediting body for BLA and MLA degree programs in the U.S., ensuring curricula meet professional education standards.
Question 7: Which type of retaining wall relies on its own weight to resist soil pressure without additional anchoring?
- Cantilever retaining wall
- Gravity retaining wall (Correct answer)
- Tieback (anchored) wall
- Sheet pile wall
Correct answer: Gravity retaining wall
A gravity retaining wall uses its own mass—typically stone, concrete, or masonry—to counteract the lateral pressure of retained soil without requiring footings or anchors.
BLArch Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Bachelor of Landscape Architecture 5
The concept of 'borrowed scenery' (shakkei) originates from which garden design tradition?