The Work Triangle
This is what the sink, stove, and refrigerator collectively form in an efficient kitchen design.
What is the Work Triangle?
Building codes set minimum standards to protect this of the public.
What is public health, safety, and welfare?
The concept of fulfilling current requirements while ensuring future generations can also meet their needs.
What is sustainability?
The required minimum width, in inches, for a residential stair according to the provided material.
What is 36 inches?
he three primary functional areas into which all rooms in a residence are grouped.
What are Living, Sleeping, and Service?
The minimum recommended length for any single leg of the Work Triangle, in feet.
What is 4 feet?
The two main model codes, (IRC) and (IBC), stand for this.
What are the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC)?
The three "pillars" that must be balanced for a sustainable design approach.
What are Environmental, Social, and Economic?
The plan view symbol for a door that slides horizontally and disappears into an adjacent wall.
What is a Pocket Door?
The room that often serves as a buffer between the living and sleeping areas and may also function as a spare bedroom or study.
What is the Den (or Study)?
The minimum distance, in inches, required between cabinet faces or appliances in a kitchen walkway.
What is 48 inches (or 4 feet)?
This federal law is addressed by the "Legal Requirements" purpose of building codes and ensures features like ramps and wide doorways.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
This popular point-based certification system for green building was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
What is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)?
The standard abbreviation found on plan symbols for a hot water line.
What is H.W. (Hot Water)?
This room is often the most used area of the house, is multipurpose, and should be close to the kitchen.
What is the Family Room?
The total range, in feet, for the recommended perimeter of the Work Triangle.
What is 15 to 22 feet?
The code that specifically regulates the design and construction of the exterior envelope, HVAC, and illuminating systems, organized by climate zones.
What is the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)?
This coefficient measures how much solar heat is admitted through a window's glass and is regulated by the IECC.
What is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)?
This durable material, often fire-rated, is most commonly used for constructing masonry fireplaces.
What is fire brick (or masonry)?
This common feature of a bedroom is NOT required by building codes, though a minimum depth of 24 inches is recommended.
What is a closet?
This kitchen layout that requires the Work Triangle to be completely contained on one wall.
What is the Straight (or One-Wall) layout?
A residential building's exterior walls cannot be located within this minimum distance of a property line, unless special provisions are met.
What is 5 feet?
Strategies like building orientation and natural ventilation are examples of this type of design, which maximizes efficiency without relying on mechanical systems.
What is passive design?
This common topographical symbol, often labeled with a number like "136.5'," is used to indicate the exact elevation of a specific location on the site plan.
What is a Spot Elevation?
This type of bedroom designation includes a sitting area and a dedicated bathing area. A key element that should be directly off the entry or separate from the residence if the space is designed to be this.
What is a Primary Suite?