ARE Practice Vignettes 9

Programmin /Pla ra ti

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~ AEC EDUCATION
www.kaplanaecarchitecture.com
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ISBN: 1-4277-8183-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-4277-8183-3
 INTRODUCTION

The intent of this mock exam is to help you prepare for the Architect Registration Exam by simulating the types of
problems you are likely to face on the actual exam.

All mock exam problems have been developed by Cayl Hollis. The solutions we show are ideal responses. Do not be
discouraged if your solutions are not perfectly solved in the limited time available to you.

No reference material is permitted while taking the exam. Candidates should draw their solutions directly on the
sheets provided using simple black line drawings. When the solutions are completed, you may review the suggested
solutions included at the back of this product.

The graphic portions of the ARE require both problem-solving abilities and the computer skills. These vignettes will
help you develop the ability to solve common design problems effectively and rapidly. As for computer skills, once
you are approved to take the graphic divisions of the ARE, you will receive software from NCARB that will enable
you to practice solving design problems by computer. Since a rapid performance requires computer proficiency, we
advise you to be well practiced before taking the exam.

We wish you success on your exams.

Copyright 2008 Kaplan AEC Education

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VIGNETTE SITE ZONING 1 145' 140' 1 3 5. 1 30' 1 35' 1 3 5. 1 3 0. 125' 120' 11 5.
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An existing property has been subdivided to create two new lots for EXISrlNG TREE -
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the development of apartments. You are required to show the build-
able areas in plan and in section based on a variety of regulatory ------:--;- I I

requirements and developmental constraints.

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1. On the plan, show the portion of the site where surface improve-
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ments are allowed.
I ~OT A
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2. On the plan, show the portion of the site where building con-
stmction is allowed.
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3. On the grid, draw the profile of the existing grade at Section \ wl /

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A-A. i 'ZI /
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4. On the grid, draw the profile of the maximum building envelope z 1 TREE CITY
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PARK
for each lot at Section A-A. I ~I
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Observe all of the following restrictions:
Surface improvements are prohibited within 5 ft of any property
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line. 0 'I " I
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Construction of buildings is prohibited within the following set- _ _ _ _ !_ _ _ _
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backs. All setbacks are measured from the property lines of the
two new lots. Front yard setbacks shall be considered from both \
Tree City Boulevard and Conifer Lane.
Front yard setbacks: 30 ft NORTH
Rear yard setbacks: 5 ft
TREE CITY BOULEVARD
Side yard setbacks: 5 ft
Constmction of buildings and other surface improvements is
prohibited within 20 ft of Arbor Creek.
Constmction of buildings and other surface improvements is 250'
prohibited under the canopy of the existing tree located in the
adjacent Tree City Park.
A new 20-ft-wide utility easement shall be created centered
along the property line separating the two new lots. Constmc-
tion of buildings and other surface improvements is prohibited
within this easement. 200'
The maximum building height limit shall be 45 ft above the
benchmark elevation.
The maximum building height limit within 50 ft of the west
property line of Lot A shall be 25 ft above the benchmark
elevation.
The maximum building envelope on Lot B is restricted to an 1 50'
elevation defined by a 30-degree line rising westward from a
point 20 ft above the Arbor Creek centerline.

1 00'

0 50' 1 00' 150 1

200' 250' 300'

SECTION A-A
Copyright 2008 Kaplan AEC Education
 VIGNEnE SITE ZONING 2

An existing property is subdivided into two lots for residential development. You are required to show the buildable 90' 95' 1oo' 105' 105' 1 o' 115'120'

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area in plan and in section based on the developmental and regulatory requirements provided below. ' - - -
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1. On the plan, show the area of the site where surface improvements are permitted with a crosshatch pattern, I
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and show the area of the site where building construction is permitted with a crosshatch pattern in the opposite I) Lot B I Lot AI. ' II
direction. r-
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J~P~bperty
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2. On the grid, draw the profile of the existing site grade along section line X-X. On the same grid and along the fTl
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same section line X-X, draw a profile of the maximum building envelope permitted within the developmental
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and regulatory requirements provided.
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A 30-foot wide utility easement running north-south exists along the line that subdivides the properties. It is cen-
tered along this property line.
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Provide a corner safety easement. This easement shall be a diagonal line whose northeast end point is located on the / I '
eastern property line 45 feet from the intersection of Asia Avenue and Dixie Drive, and the southwest end point is
located on the southern property line 45 feet from the same intersection. / L/ - -
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Building development is prohibited within the following setbacks. The setbacks are measured from property lines, 100' 100'
and front setbacks shall be considered only from Dixie Drive. DIXIE DRIVE

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Front yard setbacks from Dixie Drive property line: 15 feet

Rear yard setbacks: 25 feet

Side yard setbacks: 10 feet

Building construction is prohibited within the easements. 150' 1-----t---f---l---+--+--t--t---t--t---+----+--+--+-t---1

Building construction and surface improvements are prohibited below 95 feet.

Surface improvements shall have a 5-foot setback from all property lines.

The maximum height limit within 15 feet of Asia Avenue shall be 20 feet above the Asia Avenue benchmark
elevation. 100' 1-----t---f---l---+--+--t--t---t--t---+----+--+--+-t---1
The maximum height limit within 20 feet of Lowess Lane shall be 25 feet above the west property line benchmark
elevation of Lot B.
0 50 100 150
The maximum building envelope is defined by a line rising at a rate of 25 feet for every 100 feet eastward from the
benchmark elevation on the Lowess Lane property line that is 40 feet above the benchmark elevation at the west
property line, and ending at the maximum building height defined for the Lot A property.
SITE SECTION
The maximum building height shall be 40 feet above the benchmark elevation at each respective property line.

Copyright 2008 Kaplan"' AEC Education

SAMPLE SOLUTIONS TO MOCK XAM
DO NOT CONTINUE UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED
YOUR OWN SOLUTIONS
 145' 140' 135' 1 3 0' 1 3 5' 1 3 5' 1 3 0' 12 5' 120' 11 5' 11 0'

VIGNEITE SITE ZONING 1 /

RATIONALE

This layout meets all the requirements provided in the program and
represents a passing solution. Front, side, and rear setback restric-
tions have been located correctly on the plan. The setback from
Arbor Creek and the restrictions around the tree in the adjacent city
park are shown to be more restrictive than the side and rear setbacks
and are properly indicated. The utility easement has been properly
centered on the new property line and is also more restrictive than
the side yard setbacks.
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z TREE CITY
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On the grid, the grade line has been drawn accurately, and the hori- ....1
PARK
zontal and vertical setbacks and limits are maintained. Note that the 0::
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building height restriction within 50 feet of the west property line of u.
Lot A has been properly indicated. The angled line is measured 30 z k
degrees from the horizontal and originates at the correct point 20 ft
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above the creek centerline. The utility easement has been properly
located on the grid and excluded from the construction envelope.
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Note also that this solution includes multiple sketch lines drawn to
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assist in determining the solution. 20 ft circles have been used along NORTH
Arbor Creek to establish the setback from the creek edge. Lines are
drawn from the topographic lines down to the grid to assist in estab-
lishing the grade line. Also, the grid shows multiple sketch lines
used to establish the building envelope.
250'

200'

1 50'

1 0 0'

SECTION A-A

Copyright 2008 Kaplan AEC Education

SITE ZONING 1 VIGNETTE - SUGGESTED SOLUTION
 VIGNETIE SITE ZONING 2

RATIONALE 90' 95' 100' 105' 105' 11 o' 115'120'

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The are four components involved in solving the Site Zoning Vignette. The first two involve defining the areas on the

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plan where building construction and surface improvements are permitted. The exam may refer to these as Primary
and Secondary Construction Areas. The next two steps involve plotting the site elevations on the section cut and
defining the property setbacks and height limitations.

Using the problem statement, carefully define the areas on the plan where building limits and site improvements are
permitted. There are two easements defined in the problem statement. One is along the interior lot line that is 30 feet
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wide and centered on that property line so the easement lies 15 feet on either side of the property line. The other
easement is a diagonal line that is measured from both the Asia Avenue property line and the Dixie Drive property

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line. A line drawn between two points plotted on the property lines defines the easement line. The problem states X/,. .
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that site improvements are permitted within the easements, but building construction is prohibited.

The property line setbacks should then be defined. The front yard setback is considered from the Dixie Drive /
property line only. The rear yard setback is from the north property line, since Dixie Drive is in the front. The side
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yard setbacks are from Asia Avenue and Lowess Lane. The interior lot line also has a side yard setback that must IVV i vv
be defined. Since the easement area is more restrictive at 15 feet from the interior lot line than the 10 foot side yard !
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DIXIE DfRIVE
setback, it is the one that should be used in defining the area allowed for building construction. Site improvements
are allowed within the easements.
SITEI PLAN
The setbacks from site improvement are defined as being 5 feet from the property lines with the exception of the 1" = 40'
area below the 95 foot topographic elevation line. With the parameters defined, the site plan can be crosshatched,
showing the area of site improvements in one direction and the area where building construction is permitted in the i
opposite direction.

The next step is to plot the points of the elevation at the section cut indicated. Looking at the plan where the various 1.- -~~-- I
150 )f------1---1--+--l+---+-=~-~-l--l+--1--+--+--++-++----l
elevations of the contours are given, one can determine that the site rises from the west to the east with a small val- -- I
ley near the center at the interior lot line. Drawing lines down from the plan, plot the section of the grade on the grid,
locating them with respect to the elevations given on the side of the grid.

The height limitations and building envelope limitations are then defined. Using the problem statement, the bench-
mark elevation at each of the property lines define the maximum heights allowed from the property line, as shown
on the solution. Beyond the height restriction setbacks at each of the property lines, the building may go up to the
maximum height limit allowed, in this case 40 feet from the benchmark at each property line. The building envelope
restriction is a diagonal line that defines an area where construction is prohibited above it to limit the impact of shad-
100'~,_- -- -- -~----

ows on the street, adjacent buildings, and adjacent properties. Here this line is defined as a gradually sloping line ris-
ing at a constant rate of 25 feet for every 100 feet, from a starting point 40 feet above the benchmark at Lowes Lane 0 50 100 150
property line. When drawn, this plane will cause portions of both buildings to slope at the top. The line must extend
across the site until it reaches its zenith at the maximum building height on Lot A.

SITEI SECTICDN

SITE ZONING 2 VIGNEnE - SUGGESTED SOLUTION

Copyright 2008 Kaplan AEC Education