- What is the AIA A201?
- The AIA A201 is the General Conditions of the Contract for Construction. It defines the rights, responsibilities, and relationships of the owner, contractor, and architect during construction, and is incorporated by reference into the owner-contractor agreement.
- What does the AIA B101 govern?
- The B101 is the standard owner-architect agreement. It sets the architect's scope of services, the phases of design, compensation, and the responsibilities of each party.
- What is a change order?
- A change order is a written agreement, signed by the owner, contractor, and architect, that changes the contract sum, contract time, or scope of work. All three parties must agree before it takes effect.
- What is a punch list?
- A punch list is the list of incomplete or deficient items the contractor must correct before final completion. The architect prepares it at substantial completion.
- What is the standard of care for an architect?
- The standard of care is the level of skill and diligence that a reasonably prudent architect would exercise under similar circumstances. It does not require perfection — only ordinary professional competence.
- What is professional liability (E&O) insurance?
- Errors and omissions insurance covers an architect's liability for negligent acts, errors, or omissions in professional services. It is typically written on a claims-made basis, so the policy in force when the claim is made responds.
- What is the difference between a sole proprietorship and a corporation?
- A sole proprietorship is owned by one person with unlimited personal liability and pass-through taxation. A corporation is a separate legal entity that shields owners from personal liability but is taxed separately (or as an S corp passes income through).
- What is overhead in a firm's finances?
- Overhead is the firm's indirect cost of doing business — rent, utilities, non-billable salaries, insurance — that is not charged directly to a project. The overhead rate is overhead divided by direct labor.
- What is the net multiplier?
- The net multiplier is net operating revenue divided by direct labor. It shows how much revenue each dollar of direct labor generates and is a key measure of firm profitability; a multiplier around 3.0 is common.
- What is the break-even rate?
- The break-even rate equals 1.0 plus the overhead rate. It is the multiplier at which the firm covers all costs but earns no profit; billing above it produces profit.
- What is utilization rate?
- The utilization (chargeable) ratio is direct (billable) labor divided by total labor. It measures how much staff time is charged to projects; higher utilization generally means more profit.
- What is a stipulated sum (fixed fee) compensation method?
- A stipulated sum is a fixed lump-sum fee for a defined scope. It rewards efficiency but puts the risk of scope creep on the architect, so a clear scope and additional-services clause are essential.
- What is hourly (time-based) compensation with a not-to-exceed cap?
- The architect bills actual hours at agreed rates, but the total cannot exceed a stated ceiling without the owner's approval. It suits projects with an uncertain scope.
- What is percentage-of-construction-cost compensation?
- The fee is a percentage of the project's construction cost. Simple to set, but the fee rises if costs rise, which can appear to misalign the architect's incentive to control cost.
- What is the difference between additional services and basic services?
- Basic services are the design phases listed in the B101 (SD, DD, CD, bidding, construction). Additional services are work outside that scope — such as measured drawings, post-occupancy evaluation, or revisions due to owner changes — billed beyond the basic fee.
- What is risk management in practice?
- Risk management is identifying, evaluating, and controlling exposures to loss. Architects manage risk through clear contracts, defined scope, adequate insurance, quality control, good documentation, and declining work outside their competence.
- What is the duty of an architect to the public?
- Architects have a legal and ethical duty to protect public health, safety, and welfare (HSW). This duty underlies licensure and can override a client's wishes when life-safety is at stake.
- What is the difference between negligence and breach of contract?
- Negligence is failing to meet the standard of care (a tort). Breach of contract is failing to perform a duty promised in the agreement. A single act can be both, but the legal tests and remedies differ.
- What are an architect's basic recordkeeping obligations?
- Firms must retain project records, correspondence, and financial records to defend against claims, support billing, and meet the statute of limitations and repose. Good documentation is a primary risk-management tool.
- What is an indemnification clause?
- An indemnification clause shifts liability — one party agrees to cover certain losses or claims of another. Architects should limit indemnity to losses caused by their own negligence and avoid broad 'defend' obligations.
- What is a limitation of liability clause?
- It caps the architect's total liability to the owner, often at the fee or an insurance amount. It is a key tool for managing professional risk when the owner will agree to it.
- What is the statute of limitations vs. statute of repose?
- The statute of limitations sets the time to file suit after a problem is discovered. The statute of repose sets an absolute outer deadline measured from substantial completion, after which no claim can be brought regardless of discovery.
- What is human resources planning in a firm?
- HR planning matches staffing to projected workload, defines roles and compensation, and supports recruitment, development, and retention. It links directly to utilization and profitability.
- What is a billing rate (or multiplier) built from?
- A billing rate combines direct labor (salary cost), overhead, and profit. Direct salary times the multiplier (which embeds overhead + profit) yields the billing rate.
- What is the difference between an employee and an independent contractor?
- An employee works under the firm's direction with taxes withheld and benefits; an independent contractor controls their own means and methods and is responsible for their own taxes. Misclassification creates legal and tax liability.
- What is a current ratio?
- The current ratio is current assets divided by current liabilities. It measures short-term liquidity; a ratio above 1.0 means the firm can cover near-term obligations.
- What is profit planning for a firm?
- Profit planning sets a target profit, then works backward through the multiplier, utilization, and overhead to determine the revenue and staffing needed to achieve it.
- What ethical duty arises when a client asks an architect to do something unsafe?
- The architect must protect public health, safety, and welfare and follow applicable codes and laws. If the client insists on an unsafe or illegal act, the architect should refuse and, if necessary, withdraw.
- What is the role of professional ethics codes (AIA / NCARB Rules of Conduct)?
- They establish mandatory standards of competence, honesty, and conduct. Violations can lead to disciplinary action by a licensing board, including suspension or loss of license.
- What does it mean that architecture is a regulated profession?
- Architects must be licensed by a jurisdiction's board to practice and use the title 'architect.' Licensure requires education, experience (AXP), and passing the ARE, and is renewed with continuing education.
- What are the AIA design phases in order?
- Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), Construction Documents (CD), Bidding/Negotiation, and Construction Administration (CA). Each phase increases detail and reduces the owner's freedom to change without cost.
- What happens in Schematic Design (SD)?
- SD establishes the project's general scope, scale, and relationships — site organization, massing, and preliminary plans. It translates the program into a design concept the owner approves before detailing begins.
- What happens in Design Development (DD)?
- DD refines the schematic design — fixing sizes, materials, systems, and key details — so the design is sufficiently developed to begin construction documents.
- What happens in Construction Documents (CD)?
- CD produces the drawings and specifications used to obtain permits, bid the work, and build the project. It is the most detailed and labor-intensive design phase.
- What is design-bid-build (DBB) delivery?
- In design-bid-build the owner holds separate contracts with the architect and the contractor; design is completed before the project is bid and built. It is traditional and gives the owner control but is sequential and slower.
- What is design-build (DB) delivery?
- In design-build a single entity contracts with the owner for both design and construction. It offers a single point of responsibility and speed but reduces the owner's direct control over design.
- What is construction manager at risk (CMc/CMAR)?
- A construction manager joins early to advise on cost and constructability, then holds the construction contract at a guaranteed maximum price (GMP). It overlaps design and construction while keeping the architect under a separate owner contract.
- What is integrated project delivery (IPD)?
- IPD is a collaborative method in which the owner, architect, and contractor share a single multi-party contract, risk, and reward, aligning incentives toward project outcomes.
- What is a guaranteed maximum price (GMP)?
- A GMP is the most a contractor can charge for the work; the owner pays actual costs plus a fee up to that cap. Savings below the GMP may be shared per the contract.
- What is a critical path in scheduling?
- The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent activities through a project; it determines the shortest possible duration. Any delay to a critical-path activity delays the whole project.
- What is float (slack) in a schedule?
- Float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project. Activities on the critical path have zero float.
- What is a work breakdown structure (WBS)?
- A WBS divides the project's total scope into smaller, manageable deliverables and tasks, forming the basis for scheduling, budgeting, and assigning responsibility.
- What is value engineering?
- Value engineering is a systematic review of a project to improve value — maintaining required function and quality at lower cost. It is most effective early, before documents are complete.
- What is the project manager's role on a design team?
- The PM plans and controls scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and quality; coordinates consultants; communicates with the owner; and keeps the project profitable and on track.
- What is a consultant agreement and why coordinate it with the prime contract?
- It is the architect's contract with engineers and specialists. Its scope, standard of care, and insurance should align ('flow down') with the owner-architect agreement so duties match and gaps in liability are avoided.
- What is scope creep?
- Scope creep is the gradual, uncontrolled expansion of project scope without matching adjustments to fee or schedule. It erodes profit and is managed with clear scope definitions and additional-services authorizations.
- What is a project quality management plan?
- It defines procedures for quality control and quality assurance — drawing coordination, code review, consultant coordination, and peer review — to reduce errors and omissions in the documents.
- What is the difference between quality assurance and quality control?
- Quality assurance (QA) is the proactive process and standards meant to prevent defects; quality control (QC) is the inspection and checking that catch defects in the deliverables.
- What is a request for proposal (RFP) vs. request for qualifications (RFQ)?
- An RFQ asks firms to demonstrate qualifications and experience for shortlisting; an RFP asks shortlisted firms for a detailed proposal, often including approach and fee. QBS selection uses qualifications first.
- What is qualifications-based selection (QBS)?
- QBS selects a design firm primarily on qualifications and competence, negotiating fee only after the most qualified firm is chosen. It is required for many public projects (e.g., the Brooks Act).
- What is a project budget vs. a construction budget?
- The total project budget includes construction cost plus soft costs — land, fees, financing, furnishings, contingencies. The construction budget covers only the cost of the building work.
- What is a contingency in a budget?
- A contingency is a reserve for unforeseen costs. A design contingency covers developing scope during design; a construction contingency covers changes and unknowns during construction.
- What is meeting documentation and why does it matter?
- Meeting minutes record decisions, action items, and responsibilities. They create a written record that manages expectations and protects the architect if disputes arise.
- What is a project closeout from the design team's standpoint?
- Closeout includes final documentation, record (as-built) drawings, warranties, certificates, financial reconciliation, and an internal review of lessons learned.
- Why is early contractor involvement valuable?
- Bringing the contractor in early (as in CMc or design-build) provides cost and constructability input during design, reduces change orders, and can shorten the overall schedule.
- What is the architect's role in selecting a project delivery method?
- The architect advises the owner on how delivery methods affect cost certainty, schedule, control, and risk, helping match the method to the owner's priorities and the project type.
- What is architectural programming?
- Programming is the research and decision-making process that defines a project's goals, required spaces, relationships, and constraints before design begins. It produces the program document that drives schematic design.
- What is the problem-seeking method?
- Problem Seeking (Peña/CRS) is a five-step programming framework: establish goals, collect and analyze facts, uncover and test concepts, determine needs, and state the problem. It separates programming (problem) from design (solution).
- Who is the primary source of project goals during programming?
- The owner (client) is the primary source of goals. The architect facilitates and records them, then balances them against site, code, and budget constraints.
- What is a site analysis?
- Site analysis studies a site's physical, legal, and environmental conditions — topography, soils, climate, solar orientation, access, utilities, zoning, and context — to inform siting and design decisions.
- What is zoning?
- Zoning is local regulation that controls how land may be used and developed — permitted uses, density, height, setbacks, lot coverage, and parking — to manage growth and protect the public.
- What is a setback?
- A setback is the minimum required distance between a building and a property line, established by zoning to provide light, air, access, and separation between structures.
- What is floor area ratio (FAR)?
- FAR is the ratio of a building's total floor area to the area of its lot. A FAR of 2.0 on a 10,000-square-foot lot allows up to 20,000 square feet of floor area; it limits building bulk.
- What is the difference between gross and net (assignable) area?
- Gross area is the total floor area measured to the outside of exterior walls. Net (assignable) area is the usable program space, excluding circulation, walls, and mechanical space. Their ratio is the efficiency factor.
- What is the efficiency (or 'grossing') factor?
- The efficiency factor is net assignable area divided by gross area. It estimates how much building must be built to deliver the required program; typical values range from about 60% to 80% depending on building type.
- What is an adjacency (bubble) diagram?
- An adjacency diagram shows desired spatial relationships between program spaces using bubbles and links. It captures which spaces should be near, separated, or connected before plans are drawn.
- What is a building code occupancy classification?
- Occupancy classification groups buildings by use and risk (e.g., Assembly, Business, Mercantile, Residential, Institutional). It drives allowable area, height, egress, and fire-resistance requirements.
- What is a pro forma in real estate analysis?
- A pro forma is a financial projection estimating a development's costs, income, and return over time. It tells an owner whether a project is financially feasible before committing to design.
- What is a feasibility study?
- A feasibility study tests whether a proposed project is viable — examining site suitability, zoning, market demand, budget, and schedule — so the owner can decide whether and how to proceed.
- What is life-cycle cost analysis?
- Life-cycle cost analysis compares options by their total cost of ownership — initial cost plus operating, maintenance, and replacement costs over time — rather than first cost alone.
- What is a survey (and what does a topographic survey show)?
- A survey establishes a property's legal boundaries and features. A topographic survey shows contours (elevation lines), spot elevations, and existing features used to understand slope and drainage.
- What is a contour line on a site plan?
- A contour line connects points of equal elevation. Closely spaced contours indicate steep slopes; widely spaced contours indicate flat ground. They guide grading, drainage, and siting.
- What is solar orientation in site design?
- Solar orientation positions and shapes a building relative to the sun to manage daylight, heat gain, and energy use — for example, favoring south glazing with shading in temperate climates.
- What is an easement?
- An easement is a legal right to use part of another's property for a specific purpose, such as utilities or access. It restricts what an owner can build on that area.
- What is a building program (the document)?
- The program document lists project goals, required spaces and their sizes, adjacencies, performance criteria, the budget, and constraints. It is the brief that design must satisfy.
- What environmental factors does a site analysis evaluate?
- Climate (sun, wind, temperature, rainfall), topography and soils, vegetation and habitat, drainage and water, noise, views, and microclimate — all of which shape a sustainable, code-compliant design.
- What is a stakeholder in programming?
- A stakeholder is anyone affected by the project — owner, users, the community, regulators, neighbors. Programming gathers and reconciles their needs and constraints.
- What is a code analysis at the programming stage?
- An early code analysis identifies occupancy, construction type, allowable area and height, occupant load, and egress requirements so the program and concept are feasible under the code.
- What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative programming information?
- Quantitative information is measurable — areas, occupant counts, budgets. Qualitative information is about character and experience — image, feel, security, relationships. A good program addresses both.
- What is a needs assessment?
- A needs assessment determines what spaces, functions, and capacities the owner actually requires — distinguishing wants from needs — to right-size the program against the budget.
- What is lot coverage?
- Lot coverage is the percentage of a lot covered by buildings, set by zoning to limit density and preserve open space. It constrains the building footprint.
- What is the primary purpose of means of egress requirements?
- Means of egress requirements ensure occupants can exit a building safely and quickly in an emergency. They govern the number, capacity, arrangement, and protection of exits.
- What are the three parts of a means of egress?
- Exit access (the path to an exit), the exit (a protected route such as an enclosed stair), and the exit discharge (from the exit to a public way). All three must be maintained.
- What is occupant load?
- Occupant load is the number of people a space is designed to hold, found by dividing floor area by an occupancy-based factor. It determines required exit width and number of exits.
- What is travel distance (in egress)?
- Travel distance is the maximum length of the path from any point to an exit, limited by code and occupancy. Sprinklers often allow longer travel distances.
- What is a fire-resistance rating?
- A fire-resistance rating is the time (in hours) an assembly resists fire in a standard test. Codes require rated walls, floors, and structure based on construction type and occupancy.
- What is construction type (Type I-V)?
- Construction type classifies a building by the combustibility and fire resistance of its structure, from Type I (noncombustible, highest rated) to Type V (combustible, e.g., wood frame). It limits allowable area and height.
- What determines a building's structural system selection?
- Span, loads, height, fire rating, cost, schedule, and architectural intent. Common systems include steel frame, reinforced concrete, masonry bearing wall, and wood/light-gauge framing.
- What is a dead load vs. a live load?
- Dead load is the permanent weight of the structure and fixed components. Live load is the variable load of occupants, furniture, and movable equipment. Both are combined with environmental loads in design.
- What are lateral loads?
- Lateral loads are horizontal forces — primarily wind and seismic — resisted by systems like shear walls, braced frames, and moment frames that transfer the force to the foundation.
- What is a passive vs. active HVAC strategy?
- Passive strategies use building form, orientation, mass, shading, and natural ventilation to manage comfort with little energy. Active strategies use mechanical equipment (heating, cooling, fans) to condition the space.
- What is a thermal envelope?
- The thermal envelope is the continuous barrier of insulation, air sealing, and glazing separating conditioned interior space from the exterior, controlling heat flow and energy use.
- What is R-value vs. U-value?
- R-value measures a material's resistance to heat flow (higher is better insulation). U-value (U-factor) is the rate of heat transfer through an assembly (lower is better); U is roughly the inverse of total R.
- What is a vapor retarder and where does it go?
- A vapor retarder slows moisture diffusion through an assembly. It is generally placed on the warm-in-winter side of insulation in cold climates to prevent condensation within the wall.
- What is daylighting?
- Daylighting is the controlled use of natural light to illuminate interiors, reducing energy use and improving occupant well-being, achieved with orientation, glazing, shading, and reflective surfaces.
- What is the difference between accessible and adaptable design (ADA)?
- Accessible design meets ADA/ANSI A117.1 standards so people with disabilities can use the space. Adaptable design can be readily modified to become accessible. ADA sets enforceable accessibility requirements.
- What is an accessible route?
- An accessible route is a continuous, unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces, meeting requirements for width, slope, and surface so people using wheelchairs can navigate.
- What is the maximum running slope of an ADA accessible ramp?
- An accessible ramp may not be steeper than 1:12 (about 8.33%), with level landings at the top, bottom, and at intervals, and handrails where the rise exceeds 6 inches.
- What is a building's circulation system?
- Circulation is the network of paths — corridors, stairs, elevators, lobbies — that connects spaces. Good circulation is efficient, intuitive, code-compliant, and supports egress.
- What is sustainable design?
- Sustainable design reduces a building's environmental impact over its life through site, energy, water, materials, and indoor-environment strategies — balancing performance, cost, and occupant health.
- What is LEED?
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green-building rating system by the U.S. Green Building Council that certifies projects (Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum) based on points across sustainability categories.
- What is embodied carbon?
- Embodied carbon is the greenhouse-gas emissions from producing, transporting, and installing building materials, as distinct from operational carbon from running the building. Material choice reduces it.
- What is a fire area vs. a fire wall?
- A fire area is a space bounded by fire-rated separations limiting fire spread. A fire wall is a rated wall extending through the structure that can subdivide a building into separate buildings for code purposes.
- What is the relationship between building form and energy performance?
- Compact forms with a lower surface-to-volume ratio lose less heat; orientation, glazing ratio, and shading further tune solar gain and daylight, so massing decisions drive energy performance early.
- What is a soils (geotechnical) report and why does it matter for design?
- A geotechnical report describes soil bearing capacity, water table, and conditions, guiding foundation selection (spread footings, mats, piles) and protecting against settlement and failure.
- What is the difference between a shallow and a deep foundation?
- A shallow foundation (footing or mat) transfers loads to soil near the surface. A deep foundation (piles or caissons) carries loads to stronger soil or rock far below, used when surface soils are weak.
- What is acoustic separation (STC)?
- Sound Transmission Class (STC) rates how well a partition blocks airborne sound; a higher STC means better separation. It guides wall and floor design for privacy between spaces.
- What is a building information model (BIM) used for in design?
- BIM is a coordinated 3D digital model with embedded data used to design, visualize, detect clashes between systems, quantify materials, and coordinate the team across disciplines.
- What is the role of building codes in design?
- Codes set minimum requirements for life safety, accessibility, structure, fire protection, and energy. The architect designs to meet or exceed them, documenting compliance for permits.
- What are construction documents (CDs)?
- Construction documents are the drawings and specifications that define the work in enough detail to permit, bid, and build the project. Together they form the contract documents with the owner-contractor agreement.
- What is the difference between drawings and specifications?
- Drawings show quantity, location, and dimension (the 'where' and 'how much'); specifications describe quality, materials, and workmanship (the 'what' and 'how good'). They complement each other and should not conflict.
- What is the order of precedence if drawings and specs conflict?
- Under AIA documents the drawings and specifications are complementary and what is required by one is binding as if required by all; conflicts are resolved by the architect's interpretation, not an automatic hierarchy.
- What is MasterFormat?
- MasterFormat is the CSI/CSC standard that organizes specifications into numbered divisions by work result (e.g., Division 03 Concrete, 09 Finishes). It standardizes how project manuals are arranged.
- What is the difference between MasterFormat and UniFormat?
- MasterFormat organizes specifications by work results (products/trades). UniFormat organizes by building systems/elements (substructure, shell, interiors), useful for early estimates and preliminary documents.
- What is a prescriptive vs. performance specification?
- A prescriptive spec names exact products and methods (telling the contractor what to use). A performance spec states required results and lets the contractor choose how to achieve them.
- What are the three (or four) methods of specifying?
- Descriptive (describes properties), performance (states required results), reference standard (cites a standard), and proprietary (names a product). Each shifts control and risk differently.
- What is a building section vs. a wall section?
- A building section cuts through the whole building to show vertical relationships and heights. A wall section is a detailed vertical cut through an exterior wall showing assembly, materials, and connections.
- What is a detail drawing?
- A detail is an enlarged drawing showing how parts of an assembly connect — flashing, joints, anchorage — at a scale large enough to communicate construction and resolve weatherproofing and structure.
- What is flashing and why is it critical?
- Flashing is thin material that directs water away from vulnerable joints (around windows, at roof penetrations, wall-to-roof transitions). It is essential to keeping water out of the assembly.
- What is a building's drainage plane (water-resistive barrier)?
- The water-resistive barrier is a continuous layer behind the cladding that drains incidental water down and out, protecting the structure and insulation from moisture intrusion.
- What is a curtain wall?
- A curtain wall is a non-load-bearing exterior wall, usually aluminum-framed with glass or panels, that hangs from the structure and resists wind and weather but carries no building load except its own.
- What is a control joint vs. an expansion joint?
- A control joint creates a planned weakness so cracking occurs along a line (in concrete or masonry). An expansion joint is a complete separation allowing materials or building sections to move with temperature and structure.
- What is deflection and why does it matter for detailing?
- Deflection is the bending of a structural member under load. Limits (such as L/240 or L/360) keep finishes from cracking and assemblies from failing; details must accommodate expected movement.
- What is a thermal bridge?
- A thermal bridge is a path of higher heat conduction through the envelope (such as a steel stud or balcony slab) that lowers effective insulation and can cause condensation; details should interrupt it.
- What is the building enclosure's job?
- The enclosure controls water, air, vapor, and heat. Good detailing provides continuous water, air, thermal, and vapor barriers and manages their transitions at joints and penetrations.
- What is a schedule (door, window, finish) in CDs?
- A schedule is a table organizing repetitive information — door types, window sizes, room finishes — keyed to the drawings, reducing clutter and ensuring consistency.
- What are the principal structural materials and a key trait of each?
- Steel: high strength, long spans, fast erection. Concrete: strong in compression, fire-resistant, moldable. Masonry: durable, good in compression. Wood: renewable, light, combustible. Selection balances span, load, fire, and cost.
- What is a moment connection?
- A moment connection rigidly joins members so they resist rotation and transfer bending moment, allowing frames to resist lateral loads without bracing. It is stiffer and costlier than a pinned (shear) connection.
- What is a one-way vs. two-way structural slab?
- A one-way slab spans and is reinforced in a single direction between supports. A two-way slab spans in both directions to a grid of supports, efficient for roughly square bays.
- What is the difference between sustainable material selection criteria?
- Consider embodied carbon, recycled and regional content, durability, maintenance, indoor air quality (low VOC), and end-of-life recyclability — not just first cost.
- What does coordination among disciplines mean in CDs?
- It means resolving conflicts between architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings so systems fit, clearances are met, and there are no clashes — a key cause of change orders if missed.
- What is a plumbing fixture count driven by?
- Code-required minimum plumbing fixtures are based on occupancy type and occupant load, ensuring adequate restrooms; the architect verifies counts during documentation.
- What is an air barrier and why is continuity important?
- An air barrier controls air leakage through the envelope. It must be continuous across walls, roof, and transitions, because gaps waste energy, drive moisture into assemblies, and reduce comfort.
- What is a vapor-permeance 'smart' retarder?
- A smart (variable-permeance) vapor retarder changes permeability with humidity — staying closed in dry winter conditions and opening to allow drying when humidity rises — helping walls dry in either direction.
- What is the purpose of a project manual?
- The project manual bound with the drawings contains the bidding requirements, contract forms, conditions of the contract, and the specifications — everything written that defines the work and the agreement.
- What is detailing for movement?
- Buildings move from thermal change, moisture, structural deflection, and seismic action. Details must use joints, slip connections, and tolerances so movement does not crack finishes or break the weather barrier.
- What is construction administration (CA)?
- Construction administration is the architect's services during construction — reviewing submittals, answering RFIs, observing the work, certifying payment, and helping the owner confirm the work conforms to the contract documents.
- Does the architect supervise the contractor's work?
- No. Under AIA documents the architect visits the site to observe progress and general conformance but does not control or supervise means, methods, sequences, or safety — those are the contractor's responsibility.
- What is a submittal?
- A submittal is information the contractor provides for the architect to review — shop drawings, product data, and samples — to confirm the proposed products conform to the design intent.
- What is a shop drawing?
- A shop drawing is a detailed fabrication or installation drawing prepared by a contractor, subcontractor, or fabricator, reviewed by the architect for conformance with the design, not for exact dimensions or quantities.
- What does the architect's review of a submittal certify?
- It certifies only that the submittal conforms to the design concept and the contract documents. It does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for dimensions, quantities, fabrication, or means and methods.
- What is an RFI (request for information)?
- An RFI is the contractor's formal written question seeking clarification of the contract documents during construction. The architect responds with an interpretation consistent with the intent of the documents.
- What is the difference between a change order and a construction change directive (CCD)?
- A change order is signed by the owner, contractor, and architect and represents agreement on a change to cost, time, or scope. A CCD is issued by the owner and architect without the contractor's agreement when the parties cannot agree, directing the work to proceed while cost/time are resolved.
- What is a minor change in the work?
- A minor change is a change consistent with the design intent that does not affect contract sum or time; the architect can order it in writing without owner or contractor signatures.
- What is an Application for Payment?
- It is the contractor's periodic request for payment for completed work and stored materials, based on the schedule of values. The architect reviews it and issues a Certificate for Payment for the amount due.
- What does the architect certify when approving a payment application?
- That, to the best of the architect's knowledge based on observation and the data, the work has progressed to the certified point and the quality generally conforms — so the owner may pay that amount.
- What is the schedule of values?
- The schedule of values allocates the total contract sum among the parts of the work. It is the basis for reviewing payment applications and tracking progress.
- What is retainage?
- Retainage is a percentage of each payment (often 5-10%) withheld by the owner until the work is complete, providing leverage to ensure the contractor finishes and corrects deficiencies.
- What is substantial completion?
- Substantial completion is when the work is sufficiently complete that the owner can occupy or use it for its intended purpose. It starts warranties, shifts some responsibilities to the owner, and triggers the punch list.
- What is final completion?
- Final completion is when all work, including punch-list items, is finished in accordance with the contract documents, allowing release of final payment and remaining retainage.
- What is the difference between substantial and final completion regarding payment?
- At substantial completion the owner releases most of the payment but withholds an amount for incomplete punch-list items. At final completion, after the punch list is done, the remaining retainage and final payment are released.
- What is a certificate of occupancy?
- A certificate of occupancy is issued by the building official confirming a building complies with codes and is safe to occupy for its intended use. It is required before the owner can legally occupy the space.
- What is a warranty period?
- The contractor warrants the work is free of defects for a stated period (commonly one year) after substantial completion, during which the contractor must correct nonconforming work.
- Who is responsible for jobsite safety?
- The contractor is solely responsible for construction means, methods, sequences, and safety. The architect must avoid directing these to prevent assuming liability for them.
- What is the architect's role in resolving disputes during construction?
- Under the traditional AIA documents the architect serves as the initial interpreter of the contract and renders initial decisions on claims, acting impartially between owner and contractor.
- What is an Initial Decision Maker (IDM)?
- The Initial Decision Maker reviews and renders the first decision on claims between the owner and contractor before mediation. By default it is the architect, but the owner-contractor agreement can name someone else.
- What is the typical dispute-resolution sequence in AIA contracts?
- An initial decision by the IDM, then mediation as a condition precedent, then binding dispute resolution (arbitration or litigation) as selected in the agreement.
- What is a record (as-built) drawing?
- Record drawings document the project as actually constructed, incorporating field changes. The contractor marks up changes and the architect or owner compiles them for future maintenance and renovation.
- What are preconstruction services?
- Before construction, the team (often with the contractor in CMc or design-build) reviews constructability, cost, schedule, and phasing, reducing risk, change orders, and surprises during the build.
- What is a site observation report (field report)?
- A field report documents what the architect observed on a site visit — progress, conformance, deficiencies, and conversations — creating a record and communicating issues to the team.
- What is mediation vs. arbitration?
- Mediation is a non-binding, facilitated negotiation where a neutral helps parties reach a voluntary settlement. Arbitration is a binding process where a neutral hears evidence and renders a decision enforceable like a judgment.
- What is a punch-list walkthrough?
- Near substantial completion the architect and owner tour the project to identify incomplete or deficient items, compiling the punch list the contractor must correct before final completion.
- What is the contractor's responsibility for conformance to the documents?
- The contractor is responsible for executing the work in accordance with the contract documents using appropriate means and methods; the architect's observation does not transfer that responsibility.
- What is commissioning?
- Commissioning is a quality process verifying that building systems (HVAC, electrical, controls) are installed and perform as designed and intended, often required for energy and green-building compliance.
- What is a stored-materials payment?
- An owner may pay for suitably stored materials not yet installed, if the contract allows and the materials are properly stored, insured, and documented, accelerating cash flow to the contractor.
- What is project closeout?
- Closeout includes the punch list, final inspections, the certificate of occupancy, record drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, releases of liens, and final payment.
- What is a general partnership?
- A general partnership is owned by two or more partners who share profits and management and have unlimited joint personal liability for the business's debts and obligations.
- What is a limited liability company (LLC)?
- An LLC is a hybrid entity giving owners (members) limited personal liability like a corporation while allowing pass-through taxation like a partnership; it is flexible and widely used by design firms.
- What is a professional corporation (PC)?
- A PC is a corporation formed by licensed professionals (such as architects) in states that require it. It limits liability for business obligations but generally does not shield a professional from their own malpractice.
- What is direct labor vs. indirect labor?
- Direct labor is staff time charged to specific projects (billable). Indirect labor is time spent on non-project work — administration, marketing, vacation — and is part of overhead.
- What does a high overhead rate indicate?
- A high overhead rate means the firm spends a lot per dollar of direct labor on indirect costs. It raises the break-even multiplier and squeezes profit unless billing rates rise.
- What is accrual vs. cash accounting?
- Cash accounting records revenue and expenses when money changes hands. Accrual accounting records them when earned or incurred, giving a truer picture of profitability for project-based firms.
- What is a profit-and-loss (income) statement?
- A profit-and-loss statement summarizes revenue, expenses, and net profit over a period, showing whether the firm made money and where costs went.
- What is a balance sheet?
- A balance sheet is a snapshot of a firm's assets, liabilities, and owner's equity at a point in time. Assets equal liabilities plus equity.
- What is the AIA Code of Ethics organized around?
- The AIA Code is organized into canons (broad principles), ethical standards (goals), and enforceable rules of conduct, covering obligations to the public, the client, the profession, colleagues, and the environment.
- What is a conflict of interest for an architect?
- A conflict of interest arises when an architect's personal or financial interest could compromise professional judgment for a client. Ethics rules require disclosure and, often, the client's informed consent.
- What is the difference between marketing and business development?
- Marketing builds awareness and reputation (the firm's image and outreach). Business development pursues specific opportunities and clients to win projects. Together they sustain the firm's workload.
- What is a go/no-go decision?
- A go/no-go decision is the firm's evaluation of whether to pursue a project opportunity, weighing fit, profitability, risk, competition, and capacity before investing in a proposal.
- What is professional liability on a claims-made basis?
- A claims-made policy covers claims reported while the policy is active, regardless of when the error occurred, provided it occurred after the retroactive date. Continuous coverage and tail coverage matter.
- What is comparative negligence?
- Comparative negligence apportions fault among parties; damages are reduced by the plaintiff's share of responsibility. It affects how much liability an architect may bear in a claim.
- What is the spending of a contingency in firm risk terms?
- Maintaining contingencies and reserves protects a firm against unforeseen project losses and slow periods, supporting financial stability and the ability to weather claims.
- What is the AIA A101?
- The A101 is the standard owner-contractor agreement where the basis of payment is a stipulated (lump) sum. The contractor agrees to a fixed price for the defined work.
- What is the AIA A102?
- The A102 is an owner-contractor agreement where payment is the cost of the work plus a fee, with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP). It blends cost transparency with a cap.
- What is the AIA C401?
- The C401 is the standard architect-consultant agreement, by which the architect retains engineers and other consultants; its terms should flow down from the prime owner-architect agreement.
- What is a project work plan?
- A project work plan defines scope, deliverables, tasks, staffing, schedule, budget, and responsibilities. It guides the team and is the baseline for tracking progress and profit.
- What is a Gantt chart?
- A Gantt chart is a bar chart showing project tasks against a timeline — start, duration, and end of each activity — making the schedule and overlaps easy to see.
- What is the critical path method (CPM)?
- CPM is a scheduling technique that maps task dependencies, identifies the longest (critical) path, and calculates float, so the team knows which delays threaten the completion date.
- What is a milestone in a schedule?
- A milestone is a significant, zero-duration point in the schedule — such as a phase completion or owner approval — used to mark progress and key deadlines.
- What is fast-tracking a schedule?
- Fast-tracking overlaps activities normally done in sequence — such as starting construction of early packages before all design is complete — to shorten the schedule, at added coordination risk.
- What is the difference between a stipulated-sum and cost-plus contract?
- A stipulated sum fixes the price, placing cost risk on the contractor. A cost-plus contract pays actual costs plus a fee, placing cost risk on the owner; a GMP caps it.
- What is constructability review?
- Constructability review checks the design and documents for how readily they can be built — sequencing, available materials, and trade coordination — to reduce RFIs and change orders.
- What is the architect's duty to coordinate consultants?
- The architect coordinates the consultants' work into the project documents but, under standard agreements, the consultants are responsible for the adequacy of their own designs within their disciplines.
- What is additional services authorization?
- It is the owner's written approval to perform and pay for work beyond the basic scope. Architects should obtain it before doing extra work to protect their fee.
- What is a fee proposal built from?
- A fee is built from estimated labor hours by phase and staff level, multiplied by billing rates, plus reimbursable expenses and consultant fees, with profit and contingency.
- What is the relationship between scope, schedule, and budget?
- They form the project triangle: changing one affects the others. Expanding scope generally increases time and cost; compressing schedule often raises cost. The PM balances all three.
- What is a deliverable?
- A deliverable is a tangible, defined output the team must produce — a set of drawings, a report, a model — used to measure progress and define scope.
- What is a stacking diagram?
- A stacking diagram shows how programmed spaces or departments are distributed vertically across a multistory building's floors, before detailed plans are drawn.
- What is a blocking diagram?
- A blocking diagram allocates program areas as blocks within a floor plate, testing whether the required spaces fit and relate well on each floor.
- What is highest and best use in site analysis?
- Highest and best use is the legally permissible, physically possible, financially feasible, and most productive use of a site — a key concept in evaluating development potential.
- What is a watershed / drainage consideration on a site?
- Sites must manage stormwater — directing runoff away from buildings, controlling erosion, and often detaining or retaining water on site to meet code and protect downstream areas.
- What is microclimate?
- Microclimate is the local climate of a specific site, shaped by topography, vegetation, water, and built surroundings, affecting wind, sun, temperature, and design strategies.
- What is the difference between a variance and a special-use permit?
- A variance grants relief from a specific zoning dimensional requirement due to hardship. A special-use (conditional-use) permit allows a use otherwise restricted, under conditions, in a zoning district.
- What is building height measured to under zoning?
- Zoning typically measures height from an established grade to a defined point — the roof, parapet, or midpoint of a sloped roof — as specified by the local ordinance; it caps how tall a building can be.
- What is parking requirement analysis?
- Zoning sets minimum (and sometimes maximum) parking spaces by use and size. Programming must verify the site can accommodate required parking, which affects building footprint and cost.
- What is a soils bearing capacity?
- Bearing capacity is the maximum load soil can safely support without failure or excessive settlement; it drives foundation type and is determined by a geotechnical investigation.
- What is the difference between SD-phase and program-phase cost estimates?
- Programming uses rough order-of-magnitude estimates (cost per square foot by type) for feasibility. As design develops, estimates become more detailed and accurate.
- What is a context (urban) analysis?
- Context analysis studies the surroundings — adjacent buildings, scale, materials, circulation, and character — so the new project responds appropriately to its setting.
- What is a programmatic adjacency requirement?
- An adjacency requirement states which spaces must be near, connected, or separated for function, security, or efficiency — for example, an OR adjacent to sterile storage.
- What is gross-up factor (loss factor) in leasing?
- It accounts for a tenant's share of common areas added to usable area to give rentable area; it relates net usable space to the area a tenant pays for.
- What is allowable area in the building code?
- Allowable area is the maximum floor area permitted for a building based on its occupancy classification and construction type, with increases possible for sprinklers and frontage.
- What is allowable height and number of stories?
- The code limits building height and stories based on occupancy and construction type; automatic sprinklers commonly allow increases. It protects life safety and firefighting access.
- What is the number of exits required?
- Most spaces require at least two exits; the number increases with occupant load. Exits must be remote from each other so a single event cannot block all of them.
- What is exit separation (remoteness)?
- Required exits must be separated by a minimum distance (often one-half or one-third of the diagonal of the space, reduced with sprinklers) so they are not blocked by a single fire.
- What is a fire-rated corridor?
- A fire-rated corridor is an enclosed exit-access path with rated walls protecting occupants as they travel to an exit; rating and need depend on occupancy and sprinklers.
- What is a shear wall?
- A shear wall is a vertical structural element that resists lateral (wind and seismic) forces in its own plane, transferring them down to the foundation.
- What is a braced frame vs. a moment frame?
- A braced frame uses diagonal members to resist lateral loads (stiff, efficient, but the bracing blocks openings). A moment frame resists lateral loads through rigid beam-column joints, leaving bays open but using more material.
- What is a building's gravity load path?
- Loads travel from the roof and floors through beams and girders to columns or bearing walls, then to the foundation and the soil. A continuous, complete path is essential.
- What is a plenum?
- A plenum is the space (often above a ceiling or under a floor) used to distribute conditioned air or return air; materials within rated plenums must meet smoke/flame requirements.
- What is the difference between a VAV and a constant-volume HVAC system?
- A variable-air-volume (VAV) system varies airflow to meet zone loads, saving energy. A constant-volume system supplies a fixed airflow and varies temperature, simpler but less efficient.
- What is radiant heating?
- Radiant heating warms surfaces (floors, panels) that radiate heat to occupants, providing comfort at lower air temperatures; it is quiet and energy-efficient but slower to respond.
- What is daylight factor / glare control?
- Daylight design balances useful natural light against glare and heat gain using orientation, shading, light shelves, and glazing selection to improve comfort and reduce lighting energy.
- What is the heat island effect and how is it mitigated?
- Urban heat islands form when dark, hard surfaces absorb and re-radiate heat. Mitigation includes reflective (high-albedo) roofs, vegetation, green roofs, and shade.
- What is potable vs. non-potable (gray) water use?
- Potable water is treated for drinking. Gray water (from sinks, showers) can be reused for irrigation or flushing where codes allow, reducing potable demand in sustainable design.
- What is a fire separation distance?
- Fire separation distance is the distance from a building face to a lot line or another building; smaller distances require more fire-rated exterior walls and limit openings.
- What is the role of an occupant load factor?
- The occupant load factor (square feet per person, by use) divides floor area to estimate occupants, which sets egress width, exit count, and plumbing-fixture requirements.
- What is a clerestory?
- A clerestory is a band of high windows above eye level that brings daylight deep into a space and can drive natural ventilation, common in sustainable design.
- What is SectionFormat?
- SectionFormat is the CSI standard three-part structure for an individual specification section: Part 1 General, Part 2 Products, and Part 3 Execution.
- What are the three parts of a spec section (SectionFormat)?
- Part 1 General (administrative and submittal requirements), Part 2 Products (materials and equipment), and Part 3 Execution (installation and quality). It organizes every MasterFormat section consistently.
- What is an open vs. closed (proprietary) specification?
- An open spec allows competition by listing several acceptable products or 'or-equal' substitutions. A closed spec names a single product with no substitution, limiting competition but controlling quality.
- What is a reference-standard specification?
- A reference-standard spec requires a material or method to comply with an established industry standard (such as ASTM or ANSI), keeping the spec concise while ensuring quality.
- What is the difference between IBC and IRC?
- The International Building Code (IBC) governs most commercial and multifamily buildings. The International Residential Code (IRC) governs one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories.
- What is a head, jamb, and sill detail?
- These are the standard wall-section details at an opening: the head (top), jamb (sides), and sill (bottom). Each must manage water, air, structure, and the connection to the window or door.
- What is through-wall flashing?
- Through-wall flashing is a continuous barrier within a wall (often at the base of cavity walls and above openings) that collects penetrating water and directs it out through weep holes.
- What is a weep hole?
- A weep hole is a small opening at the base of a cavity wall that lets water collected on flashing drain to the exterior, preventing moisture buildup in the wall.
- What is the rainscreen principle?
- A rainscreen separates the cladding from a drained, vented air cavity and a water-resistive barrier, so most water is shed at the surface and any that gets behind drains away.
- What is the difference between modified bitumen and single-ply roofing?
- Modified bitumen is an asphalt-based membrane in plies. Single-ply (EPDM, TPO, PVC) is a flexible sheet membrane installed in one layer; both are common low-slope roofing systems.
- What is roof slope for drainage?
- Low-slope roofs require a minimum slope (commonly 1/4 inch per foot) to drains or scuppers to avoid ponding water, which stresses the structure and shortens membrane life.
- What is a coordinated drawing set?
- A coordinated set ensures architectural, structural, MEP, and civil drawings agree — dimensions, locations, and clearances match — so the building can be built without conflicts.
- What is a reflected ceiling plan (RCP)?
- An RCP shows the ceiling as if reflected on the floor — lighting, diffusers, sprinklers, and ceiling materials — coordinating overhead elements among disciplines.
- What is the difference between nominal and actual dimensions?
- Nominal dimensions are the named size (a 2x4); actual dimensions are the true measured size (1.5 by 3.5 inches). Detailing must use actual sizes for fit and clearances.
- What is a building expansion joint and where is it needed?
- An expansion joint fully separates parts of a structure to allow thermal and structural movement, needed in long buildings or where dissimilar structures meet, to prevent cracking.
- What is fire-stopping?
- Fire-stopping seals penetrations (pipes, conduits, ducts) through rated assemblies with tested materials so the assembly's fire and smoke rating is maintained.
- What is a continuous insulation (CI) strategy?
- Continuous insulation runs uninterrupted across the structure (typically outboard of studs), reducing thermal bridging and improving the wall's effective R-value, often required by energy codes.
- What does the architect coordinate between structure and architecture in CDs?
- Beam depths, column locations and sizes, slab edges, openings, and clearances must match between disciplines so ceilings, MEP routing, and finishes fit as designed.
- What is the AIA G702 / G703?
- G702 is the Application and Certificate for Payment the contractor submits and the architect certifies. G703 is its continuation sheet, breaking the application down by the schedule of values.
- What is an addendum (during bidding)?
- An addendum is a written change or clarification to the bidding documents issued to all bidders before bids are due, becoming part of the contract documents.
- What is an Architect's Supplemental Instruction (ASI)?
- An ASI is a written order from the architect for a minor change in the work consistent with the contract documents that does not change the contract sum or time.
- What is the bidding (or negotiation) phase?
- In bidding/negotiation the project is priced — through competitive bids or negotiation with a selected contractor — and a contract is awarded before construction begins.
- What is the difference between open and selective (invited) bidding?
- Open (public) bidding accepts bids from any qualified contractor, common for public work. Selective bidding invites only prequalified contractors, giving the owner more control over quality.
- What is a bid bond?
- A bid bond guarantees that a winning bidder will enter the contract and provide required bonds; if they back out, the owner is compensated for the difference up to the bond amount.
- What is a performance bond vs. a payment bond?
- A performance bond guarantees the contractor will complete the work per the contract. A payment bond guarantees subcontractors and suppliers will be paid, protecting the owner from liens.
- What is a mechanic's lien?
- A mechanic's lien is a legal claim against a property by unpaid contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers, securing payment for labor or materials provided to improve the property.
- What is a lien waiver / release of liens?
- A lien waiver is a signed document in which a contractor or supplier waives lien rights for payment received. Owners require them, often with final payment, to clear title.
- What is the architect's standard for site visits?
- Under the B101 the architect visits the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with progress and quality — not to make exhaustive or continuous inspections.
- What is a non-conforming work response?
- When work does not conform to the contract documents, the architect can reject it and require correction; the owner may also accept it with an appropriate change in contract sum.
- What is a Certificate of Substantial Completion (G704)?
- The AIA G704 establishes the date of substantial completion, lists the responsibilities of owner and contractor, and includes the punch list of items to complete.
- What is the order in which closeout documents are gathered?
- Near completion the team collects record drawings, O&M manuals, warranties, certificates (occupancy, system tests), lien releases, and consent of surety before final payment.
- What is consent of surety to final payment?
- It is the bonding company's written agreement that final payment to the contractor will not relieve the surety of its obligations, protecting the owner before releasing final funds.
- What is a post-occupancy evaluation (POE)?
- A POE assesses how well a completed building performs in use — comfort, function, energy, occupant satisfaction — providing feedback to improve operations and future designs.
- What is the difference between observation and inspection?
- Architects perform observation — periodic, general review of progress and conformance. Inspection is detailed, continuous examination (often by a special inspector or building official), which architects avoid to limit liability.
- What is a special inspection?
- A special inspection is code-required, detailed inspection of certain work (such as structural welds, concrete, or fireproofing) by a qualified inspector, separate from the architect's observation.
- What is the architect's authority to reject work?
- The architect has authority to reject work that does not conform to the contract documents and to require additional testing or inspection, exercising judgment impartially.
- What is a stored-materials documentation requirement?
- To pay for off-site stored materials, the owner typically requires proof of ownership, insurance, and proper storage, plus a bill of sale or similar evidence, before certifying payment.
- What is the warranty start date?
- Warranties generally begin at the date of substantial completion, when the owner can occupy the work, unless the contract states otherwise.
- What is the contractor's responsibility for means and methods?
- The contractor solely controls and is responsible for construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, procedures, and site safety; the architect must not direct them.
- What is a billing multiplier of 3.0 telling you?
- It means the firm bills three dollars of revenue for every dollar of direct (salary) labor. Roughly one dollar covers salary, about 1.5 to 1.7 covers overhead, and the remainder is profit.
- What is the difference between a fee and a reimbursable expense?
- The fee compensates the architect for professional services. Reimbursable expenses are project costs advanced by the architect (travel, reproductions, permits) that the owner repays, often with a markup.
- What is succession planning for a firm?
- Succession planning prepares for ownership transition — grooming future leaders and structuring buy-in or sale — so the firm continues beyond its founders and retains value.
- What is a notice to proceed?
- A notice to proceed is the owner's formal authorization for the contractor to begin work, often establishing the start of the contract time.
- What is the difference between a consultant and a subconsultant?
- A consultant contracts directly with the architect (via C401). A subconsultant contracts with that consultant. The architect coordinates their work into the project documents.
- What is design contingency vs. construction contingency?
- A design contingency covers scope and detail that develop as the design matures. A construction contingency covers unforeseen conditions and changes once the project is being built.
- What is a buildable area?
- Buildable area is the portion of a lot where a structure may legally be placed after subtracting setbacks, easements, and other restrictions; it limits the footprint.
- What is solar access / right to light?
- Solar access is the ability of a site or building to receive sunlight, sometimes protected by ordinance; it influences orientation, daylighting, and passive solar strategies.
- What is the difference between renovation, restoration, and adaptive reuse?
- Renovation updates a building; restoration returns it to a specific historic state; adaptive reuse converts it to a new use while retaining the structure — all common existing-building strategies.
- What is a fire-rated assembly's hourly rating based on?
- It is based on a standardized fire test measuring how long the assembly resists fire spread and maintains integrity and insulation; codes assign required ratings by element and construction type.
- What is the difference between active and passive fire protection?
- Passive fire protection contains fire through rated construction (walls, floors, fire-stopping). Active fire protection detects and fights fire (sprinklers, alarms, extinguishers). Both work together.
- What is a building's mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) coordination concern?
- MEP systems compete for ceiling and shaft space; coordination ensures ductwork, piping, conduit, and structure fit within clearances without conflicts, ideally resolved in the model.
- What is a typical detail vs. a specific detail?
- A typical detail applies to many similar conditions across the project (noted 'typ.'). A specific detail addresses one unique condition. Both must be clearly keyed to the drawings.
- What is the difference between a section and an elevation?
- An elevation is an orthographic view of a vertical face seen from outside. A section is a cut through the building or element revealing what is inside the assembly.
- What is dimensioning to a datum?
- Dimensioning to a datum references measurements to a fixed baseline (a grid line or finish floor), reducing accumulated tolerance error compared with chained dimensions.
- What is a submittal schedule?
- A submittal schedule lists all required submittals and their due dates so the contractor submits and the architect reviews them in time to avoid delaying the work.
- What is the difference between rejecting and approving a submittal 'as noted'?
- Rejecting requires resubmittal. 'Approved as noted' (or 'revise and resubmit' per the stamp used) allows the work to proceed with the architect's marked corrections incorporated.
- What is final payment contingent upon?
- Final payment generally requires final completion, a final certificate for payment, submission of closeout documents and lien releases, and often consent of surety.
- What is the architect's role at project closeout evaluation?
- The architect helps verify completion, reviews closeout submittals, may conduct a post-occupancy evaluation, and documents lessons learned to improve future projects.
- What is a deductive vs. additive change order?
- A deductive change order reduces the contract sum (removing scope). An additive change order increases it (adding scope). Both adjust the contract and may affect time.
