NCARB Site Planning and Design 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'topography' refer to in site analysis?
- The configuration of the land surface including slopes, elevations, and contours (Correct answer)
- The type of soil present on the site
- The legal boundaries of a property
- The location of underground utilities
Correct answer: The configuration of the land surface including slopes, elevations, and contours
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?
- ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey (Correct answer)
- Topographic Survey
- Geotechnical Report
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Correct answer: ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey
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?
- A storm with a 1% probability of occurring in any given year (Correct answer)
- A storm that occurs exactly once per century
- The worst storm ever recorded in 100 years
- A storm that causes 100 inches of rainfall
Correct answer: A storm with a 1% probability of occurring in any given year
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?
- To permanently store stormwater on-site and allow it to infiltrate or slowly release (Correct answer)
- To provide drinking water storage
- To irrigate landscaping only
- To serve as a decorative water feature
Correct answer: To permanently store stormwater on-site and allow it to infiltrate or slowly release
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?
- Shadow patterns on a site at different times of year to optimize building orientation (Correct answer)
- Wind direction and speed
- Soil bearing capacity
- Topographic slope percentages
Correct answer: Shadow patterns on a site at different times of year to optimize building orientation
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.
Question 6: What does the term 'easement' mean in the context of property law and site design?
- A legal right to use another's land for a specific purpose (Correct answer)
- A required setback from a public street
- A zoning variance for nonconforming use
- A survey boundary marker
Correct answer: A legal right to use another's land for a specific purpose
An easement grants a specific right to use a portion of another's property—such as for utilities, access, or drainage—without granting ownership.
NCARB Site Planning and Design 2
What does 'topography' refer to in site analysis?