Planning and Design
What this domain tests
Planning and Design tests the translation of a program into a buildable, code-compliant, and sustainable site concept. Questions cover programming, test fits, circulation, accessibility, life safety, planting design, and rating systems such as SITES.
Program and site planning
- Start with uses, net/gross areas, occupancy, adjacencies, service access, and parking ratios. Test-fit building, parking, circulation, and open space before drawing a design.
- Zoning controls setbacks, height, floor-area ratio, and lot coverage; confirm local amendments because they override generic standards.
- Use CPTED principles-natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement-and a clear circulation hierarchy.
Accessibility and life safety
- ADA accessible routes: 36 in minimum clear width, 5% maximum running slope (1:20), 2.08% maximum cross slope (1:48), and 60-in turning spaces. Ramps are limited to 1:12 with landings.
- Fire access, hydrant spacing, and defensible space drive layout in wildland-urban interface projects.
Sustainability
- SITES v2 and low-impact development reward native planting, water budgets, bioretention, permeable paving, and habitat connectivity. Passive solar orientation and shade reduce demand.
Worked example
A 24,000-sf office building requires 1 parking space per 300 sf GFA: 24,000 ÷ 300 = 80 spaces. The ADA table requires 4 accessible spaces for 76–100 total, and one must be a van-accessible space with a 60-in access aisle. A local code requiring 1 per 250 sf would instead yield 96 spaces and 5 accessible spaces-always check the stricter local rule.
Traps
- Applying the ADA table to the number of required spaces without confirming local ratios.
- Treating SITES as a legal code.
- Designing before confirming survey, easements, and floodplain limits.