LARE LARE Stewardship and Design Principles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which design strategy best exemplifies the principle of ecological stewardship when managing stormwater on a large commercial site?
- Installing underground detention tanks
- Creating bioretention cells and rain gardens to filter runoff on-site (Correct answer)
- Directing all runoff to municipal storm sewers
- Paving all surfaces to speed drainage
Correct answer: Creating bioretention cells and rain gardens to filter runoff on-site
Bioretention cells and rain gardens mimic natural hydrology by infiltrating and filtering stormwater on-site, reflecting ecological stewardship.
Question 2: The concept of 'sense of place' in landscape architecture primarily refers to:
- The GPS coordinates of a project site
- The distinctive character and identity created by a site's cultural and physical qualities (Correct answer)
- The signage system used to navigate a landscape
- The proportion of hardscape to softscape
Correct answer: The distinctive character and identity created by a site's cultural and physical qualities
Sense of place describes how physical, cultural, and historical characteristics combine to give a site a unique and meaningful identity.
Question 3: A landscape architect is designing a coastal park. Which stewardship principle should guide decisions about vegetation along the shoreline?
- Plant visually striking exotic species for maximum impact
- Use native coastal species adapted to salt spray and erosion to stabilize the shoreline (Correct answer)
- Remove all vegetation to maximize beach access
- Plant dense exotic hedges to block wind
Correct answer: Use native coastal species adapted to salt spray and erosion to stabilize the shoreline
Native coastal species are adapted to local conditions and provide ecological stability while supporting native wildlife and preventing erosion.
Question 4: In LARE Section C (Site Design), 'universal design' means:
- Designing for the average adult user
- Creating environments usable by all people regardless of age or ability without need for adaptation (Correct answer)
- Applying the same design template globally
- Maximizing site coverage for all user groups
Correct answer: Creating environments usable by all people regardless of age or ability without need for adaptation
Universal design produces environments accessible and usable by people of diverse abilities without requiring specialized accommodations.
Question 5: What does the term 'net-zero landscape' most closely describe?
- A landscape with no plant material
- A designed landscape that produces as many resources (water, energy) as it consumes (Correct answer)
- A landscape with a flat topography
- A project with zero construction budget
Correct answer: A designed landscape that produces as many resources (water, energy) as it consumes
A net-zero landscape balances resource consumption with on-site production through strategies like rainwater harvesting and solar integration.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the stewardship responsibility of a landscape architect when historic cultural landscapes are involved?
- Demolish all existing features and start fresh
- Document, preserve, and sensitively adapt historic elements while meeting contemporary needs (Correct answer)
- Replicate the landscape exactly using modern materials
- Prioritize new programming over any historic fabric
Correct answer: Document, preserve, and sensitively adapt historic elements while meeting contemporary needs
Stewardship of cultural landscapes requires documenting and preserving historic character while thoughtfully integrating contemporary uses.
Question 7: A client asks a landscape architect to design a public plaza in a drought-prone region. Which planting strategy best demonstrates environmental stewardship?
- Install an automatic irrigation system with turf grass
- Select drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants requiring minimal supplemental irrigation (Correct answer)
- Use artificial turf to eliminate water use
- Plant annual flowers for seasonal color change
Correct answer: Select drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants requiring minimal supplemental irrigation
Drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants are well-suited to local climate conditions and significantly reduce water consumption once established.
LARE LARE Stewardship and Design Principles 2
Which design strategy best exemplifies the principle of ecological stewardship when managing stormwater on a large commercial site?