PAQE cheat sheet

Net assignable area (NASF) excludes circulation, mechanical, and structure; gross area includes everything measured to the outside face of exterior walls.

Efficiency ratio = net assignable area ÷ gross area; office buildings typically run 0.65–0.80, and the ratio drives the gross area budget once NASF is programmed.

Space program = sum of individual space requirements (area × quantity) plus growth factor and unassigned support space; verify against benchmark area-per-person or area-per-workstation data.

Adjacency matrix scores required proximity between functional groups; a bubble diagram translates the matrix into a blocking diagram before any floor plan geometry is fixed.

Occupant load for egress is computed from program use, not from furniture count: use the code table value (sf/occupant) for the occupancy classification of each space.

Programming precedes design and answers what, how much, and how well; it does not fix building form, which belongs to schematic design.

Interview-based programming (functional, then technical, then executive) reduces late scope change; document each space's function, users, equipment, and environmental criteria.

A written program of requirements is a contract baseline; changes after owner sign-off should be tracked as scope changes with schedule and fee impact.

Solar azimuth and altitude are read from a sun-path diagram for the project latitude; shadow angles at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. on 21 June and 21 December define the shading envelope.

Runoff by the rational method: Q = C·i·A, where C is the runoff coefficient (0.9 pavement, 0.3 lawn), i is rainfall intensity, and A is area; detention volume sizes to the difference between pre- and post-development peaks.

FAR (floor area ratio) = total gross floor area ÷ site area; lot coverage = building footprint ÷ site area; both are zoning limits independent of each other.

Setback plus height limit plus sky-exposure plane together govern the buildable envelope; check each separately because the most restrictive governs.

Prevailing winter and summer wind directions come from climate data (wind rose), not from intuition; they set inlet/outlet orientation for natural ventilation.

Slope categories: 0–4% gentle, 4–10% moderate, over 10% constrains vehicle access and requires retaining or stepped foundations.

Site soil borings and a geotechnical report establish bearing capacity, groundwater elevation, and expansive or compressible strata before foundation selection.

Stormwater best management practice hierarchy: infiltrate, evapotranspire, detain, then discharge; green roofs, bioswales, and permeable paving reduce the required pipe size.

Floor-to-floor height = ceiling height + plenum depth + structural depth + finish; mechanical and structural zones must be added, not assumed inside the ceiling.

Core-to-facade distance controls daylight and egress travel: office depth per side typically 12–15 m (40–50 ft) for useful daylight and code-compliant travel distance.

Massing options are compared on gross floor area yield, envelope-to-floor-area ratio, orientation, and structural regularity; a compact form reduces envelope but restricts daylight.

Structural bay module (e.g., 8–9 m) should be set before plan geometry; it drives column-free parking efficiency and column placement below.

Vertical transportation: elevator count and speed follow population per floor, handling capacity (typically 12–15% of population in 5 minutes), and interval target.

Building height and area limits from the code table depend on construction type and sprinkler protection; increasing construction type or adding sprinklers permits larger area.

Daylight factor = interior illuminance ÷ unobstructed exterior horizontal illuminance × 100; a 2% factor is a common target for side-lit offices.

Zoning envelope checks: height, setback, FAR, coverage, and open space; a massing model fails if any one limit is exceeded, not the average.

Structural depth rule of thumb: steel beam span/20, reinforced concrete beam span/12, one-way slab span/28, two-way slab span/33 (in consistent units, for preliminary sizing only).

Load path must be continuous: gravity load travels slab → beam → girder → column → footing → soil; every transfer must be shown on a framing plan.

Live load reductions are permitted per code for large tributary areas but never below the code minimum; snow, wind, and seismic loads are not reduced by tributary area.

Lateral systems: braced frames are stiff and economical but block openings; moment frames allow openness but drift more; shear walls suit residential and concrete cores.

Seismic detailing requires ductile connections and a continuous lateral system; soft-story and plan irregularity trigger stricter analysis.

Mechanical shaft area is roughly 1–3% of gross floor area for offices; central plant space and electrical rooms must be located before structure is fixed.

Coordination sequence: structure first, then large ducts and mains, then branch piping and conduit; a clash check at each milestone prevents ceiling-height loss.

Expansion joints in structure, envelope, and finishes must align vertically; a structural joint not carried through the facade causes cracking and water entry.

U-factor measures conductance (lower is better); R-value = 1/U measures resistance; assembly U is calculated from layer resistances plus film coefficients, not by adding R-values of only insulation.

Thermal bridging through slab edges, balconies, and steel studs degrades assembly performance; a continuous insulation layer outside the structure breaks the bridge.

Condensation control: keep the vapor retarder on the warm side of the insulation in cold climates; in mixed climates, place it where winter and summer conditions both tolerate it.

Air barrier continuity is separate from the vapor retarder; air leakage carries far more moisture than diffusion in most assemblies.

Glazing performance: SHGC controls solar heat gain, VLT controls daylight; a low SHGC with high VLT reduces cooling load without darkening the interior.

Psychrometrics: comfort zone is roughly 20–26 °C and 30–60% RH; the psychrometric chart plots dry-bulb, wet-bulb, humidity ratio, and enthalpy for system sizing.

VAV systems vary air volume at constant supply temperature; fan power scales with the cube of speed, so VFD control yields large energy savings at part load.

Economizer uses outdoor air for free cooling when outdoor enthalpy is below return air; it is required above a code threshold of cooling capacity.

Occupant load = floor area ÷ occupant load factor; egress width = occupant load × width factor (commonly 5 mm or 0.2 in per occupant for level components, more for stairs).

Two exits are generally required when occupant load exceeds the code threshold or travel distance is exceeded; exits must be remote from each other by a specified separation.

Exit access travel distance is measured along the path of travel to the nearest exit, not in a straight line; dead-end corridors are limited by occupancy.

Stair width is measured between handrails; handrails project into the required width and must be accounted for on both sides.

Accessible route: 1:12 maximum ramp slope, 1500 mm (60 in) turning space, 815–1220 mm (32–48 in) clear width, and 760 mm (30 in) minimum clear door width per accessible leaf.

Accessible parking: one van-accessible space per six accessible spaces, with an access aisle of 2440 mm (96 in) for van spaces.

Fire-resistance ratings apply to structural members, shafts, and exit enclosures by construction type; opening protectives (doors, glazing) carry a fraction of the wall rating.

Sprinkler protection usually permits increased travel distance, reduced exit separation, and larger area; verify each allowance in the adopted code edition.

Specification divisions follow MasterFormat: Division 03 Concrete, 04 Masonry, 05 Metals, 06 Wood, 07 Thermal and Moisture, 08 Openings, 09 Finishes, 22 Plumbing, 23 HVAC, 26 Electrical.

Prescriptive specifications state products and methods; performance specifications state required results and leave means to the contractor; most projects mix both.

Concrete strength is specified by 28-day compressive strength (f'c); slump and air content are separate acceptance criteria for workability and durability.

Steel: ASTM A992 is the common structural shape grade (Fy = 345 MPa / 50 ksi); A36 (Fy = 250 MPa / 36 ksi) is used where weldability and cost favor it.

Wood design uses allowable stress or LRFD with adjustment factors for duration, moisture, and size; engineered lumber spans farther than sawn lumber of the same depth.

Mockups verify assembly performance (water, air, thermal) before full installation; a tested mockup is a quality benchmark, not a sample.

Submittals (shop drawings, product data, samples) are contractor documents reviewed by the architect for design intent; review does not relieve the contractor of responsibility.

Substitution requests must be evaluated against the specified performance and appearance; approval of a substitute is a change to the contract documents.

Drawing set order: cover and general notes, life safety and code plans, demolition, plans, elevations, sections, enlarged details, schedules, and specifications.

AIA A101 is the owner-contractor agreement; B101 is owner-architect; A201 is the general conditions; these define roles, payment, and changes.

Design-bid-build: owner contracts separately with architect and contractor; design-build: one entity holds design and construction; CM at risk: constructor joins early with a guaranteed maximum price.

Bidding documents include drawings, specifications, addenda, bid form, and instructions to bidders; addenda issued during bidding become part of the contract.

Payment application and certification: the architect certifies amounts due based on observed progress, not on the contractor's unilateral claim.

Change order modifies scope, price, or time and requires owner approval; a construction change directive orders work before price is agreed.

Punch list documents incomplete or defective work at substantial completion; substantial completion starts warranty periods and owner use.

Record documents reflect as-built conditions; they are not the same as the contract documents and do not change the contract unless formally issued as a change.

Standard of care: the architect owes the skill and care ordinarily provided by professionals under similar circumstances, not a guarantee of perfection.

Fee structures: percentage of construction cost, lump sum, hourly, and cost plus fixed fee; scope, schedule, and risk allocation drive which is appropriate.

Profit = revenue − direct labor − indirect (overhead) costs; utilization rate = direct hours ÷ total hours; multiplier = billing rate ÷ direct hourly cost.

Scope creep is controlled by a written agreement defining basic services and additional services, with a documented change process.

Conflict of interest requires disclosure and, where unavoidable, written consent; the architect must not accept compensation from contractors on the same project.

Professional liability insurance covers errors and omissions; it is claims-made, so the policy in force when the claim is made responds.

Licensure is by jurisdiction; the architect seals and signs documents only for work they are competent to perform and legally authorized to stamp.

Ethical obligations include competence, honesty in reporting, confidentiality of client information, and avoiding misrepresentation of qualifications or project experience.