NCARB Site Planning and Design 2

Question 1

What does 'topography' refer to in site analysis?

Accepted Answer

The configuration of the land surface including slopes, elevations, and contours

Answer

Topography describes the three-dimensional shape of the land, depicted on drawings with contour lines representing lines of equal elevation.

Question 2

Which survey document establishes a property's legal boundaries, easements, and existing improvements?

Accepted Answer

ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey

Answer

An ALTA survey provides a comprehensive boundary and improvement survey that locates easements, encroachments, and title exceptions critical to site planning.

Question 3

A 100-year storm event in hydrology means what?

Accepted Answer

A storm with a 1% probability of occurring in any given year

Answer

A 100-year storm has a 1% annual exceedance probability, meaning there is a 1% chance of that storm magnitude occurring in any given year.

Question 4

What is the purpose of a retention pond on a developed site?

Accepted Answer

To permanently store stormwater on-site and allow it to infiltrate or slowly release

Answer

Retention ponds hold stormwater permanently, controlling peak discharge rates and allowing infiltration or controlled release to mimic pre-development hydrology.

Question 5

Sun path diagrams are used in site design primarily to determine what?

Accepted Answer

Shadow patterns on a site at different times of year to optimize building orientation

Answer

Sun path diagrams show the sun's altitude and azimuth at different times of day and seasons, enabling architects to optimize orientation for solar gain, shading, and daylighting.

NCARB - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Practice Test

NCARB - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Practice Test

NCARB Site Planning and Design 2