NCARB Project-Planning-Design Exam - Topic 1 Question 5 Discussion

An architect has just received client approval of the Schematic Design documents for a three-story, outpatient medical clinic. The clinic is located within a mixed-use development governed by

a City-approved Planned Development (PD) document. The medical clinic design utilizes standardized departmental layouts and includes outpatient clinics, as well as treatment spaces,

administrative spaces and public/lobby spaces.

The site needs to accommodate four different vehicular traffic flows: patient traffic, staff traffic, service and delivery traffic, and emergency services traffic. In addition, a pedestrian plaza

must connect to the mixed-use development sidewalks. The plaza must provide space for bicycle parking and will serve as the future bus stop.

The site design addresses several challenges related to building orientation. The southeast facade, with excellent visibility from the highway, is the location of all service equipment. The

building entrance faces northwest, convenient to the parking but not visible from the highway.

The client believes future patient volumes will outgrow the clinic. The PD document allows for a planned Phase 2 development on the adjacent vacant site to the southwest. Phase 2 would

include a second building (2 story, 80,000 BGSF) and/or a parking deck.

Other considerations for the project include:

Protected tree requirements are defined in the PD document.

Easy pedestrian access must be provided from Sycamore Boulevard.

All required parking for the clinic must be accommodated on site.

Programmed area includes 109,450 Departmental Gross Square Feet (DGSF) / 130,184 Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF).

Exterior material percentages are dictated by the PD document and shall not exceed specific percentages for Primary and Secondary Finishes.

All service equipment needs to be screened; see PD document for restrictions.

Signage opportunities are important to the client.

Acoustical privacy is a concern of the healthcare system.

The following resources are available for your reference:

Drawings, including a perspective, plans, and exterior elevations

Building Program, including client's departmental program and detailed program for Treatment 01 (Infusion)

Exterior Material Cost Comparisons

Planned Development Document

IBC Excerpts, showing relevant code sections

ADA Excerpts, showing relevant sections from the ADA Standards for Accessible Design

The developer decides that the 4-inch terra cotta exterior veneer is too expensive, and wants to replace the terra cotta with an alternative finish in its entirety.

Which of the following alternative materials should the architect suggest to reduce cost and meet the Planned Development Document requirements? Check the two that apply.