Practice Management / Project Management
If no action is taken when starting your own practice or firm, you are automatically labelled as this business entity.
Sole Proprietorship.
How many Square Feet is equal to an Acre?
43,560 Square Feet.
Known as the Frost Depth or Frost Line, this is the depth to which the groundwater in soil is no longer expected to freeze in New York. Dictates how deep a foundation wall must be placed.
4'-0" in most portions of New York.
Submitted by the Contractor, a request for additional money or time for a change in the project's design or contract.
What is a Change Order?
The arrangement of windows and doors on the elevations of a building. Sometimes used to refer to the window itself.
What is Fenestration?
What is the Statute of Limitations for Negligence claims against Architects in New York? (In years)
Under current law, Engineers and Design Professionals are subject to liability for third-party lawsuits in perpetuity. (Forever)
A right to cross or otherwise use someone else's land for a specified purpose.
What is an Easement?
A hole, or opening a wall or foundation that is designed to drain off accumulated water.
What is a Weep Vent? (Or Weep Hole)
While installing some ductwork, the HVAC Sub-Contractor discovers some discrepancies with the drawings and the existing conditions. What order in the chain of communication is the Sub-Contractor required to follow? (Sub-Contractor, Owner, Architect, Contractor)
Sub-Contractor to Contractor.
Contractor to Architect.
A triangular gable end of roof above cornice, often used in classical Architecture.
What is a Pediment?
An owner pays an Architect in full for their design and services, as well as paying the Contractor in full to construct it. If the design is to be used again, who owns the design?
The Architect.
Which two facades of a building would benefit most form vertical louvers.
East and West.
An Architecture finishes their drawings, which are then reviewed by the client, the Contractor, and the Building Code official, all of which agree that everything is up to code. During Construction it is discovered that a vital element does not meet the local building code. Who is at fault?
The Architect.
An Architect visits a construction site twice a week, but only submits an official report for one of those visits each week. The project lasts for five weeks, with a final Punchlist review at completion. How many times is the Architect contractually expected to "inspect" the construction?
Once. (During Punchlist review)
A curved ramp.
What is a Helicline?
Almost ALL Construction and Architecture legal cases never go to court. They enter a separate legal process involving a panel of industry professionals.
What is Arbitration.
What is the average size of a parking space. (Per graphic standards)
9'-0" x 18'-0"
An interior wall is required to be fire rated for up to four hours. If the wall is composed of 2x4 wood studs and gypsum board on both sides, what is the thickness of the wall. (In inches?)
6 Inches. (4 layers of 5/8" Gypsum Board, and a 3.5" wood stud)
A portion of the agreed upon contract price deliberately withheld until the work is substantially complete to assure that contractor or subcontractor will satisfy its obligations and complete a construction project.
What is Retainage?
A continuous base supporting a row of columns in classical Greek architecture.
What is a Stylobate?
Which design professional holds the most liability insurance? (Architect, Accessibility Consultant, Structural Engineer, Interior Designer, Geotechnical Engineer, Code Consultant)
Geotechnical Engineer
A building is placed on a six inch concrete slab, with 1'-6" of engineered fill. The sidewalks are required to have an 8 inch slab below ground level with only a 1'-0" depth of engineered fill. The frost depth for this building is 4'-0" How much engineered fill is required below the portions of the sidewalk at the exterior doors?
3'-4"
An Architect hires an Acoustic Consultant for a project. During Construction it is discovered that portions of the project has insufficient sound insulation. It is then discovered that the Architect's drawings do not match the Consultant's drawings, causing a Construction issue. Who is at fault for the sound insulation? Who is at fault for the difference in the drawings?
Architect is responsible for consistency and coordination.
Sub-Consultant is responsible for their portion of work being compliant.
After Construction, the Architect is concerned that above the ceiling an incorrect material was used for insulation. The Architect asks the Owner to direct the Contractor to expose a portion of the ceiling to confirm. It is discovered that the Contractor did in fact use the correct material. Who is responsible for the added cost?
The Owner.
A suite of rooms with doorways in line with each other.
What is an Enfilade?