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NCARB Project-Planning-Design Exam - Topic 5 Question 13 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 plazamust 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 elevationsBuilding Program, including client's departmental program and detailed program for Treatment 01 (Infusion)Exterior Material Cost ComparisonsPlanned Development DocumentIBC Excerpts, showing relevant code sectionsADA Excerpts, showing relevant sections from the ADA Standards for Accessible DesignWhich of the following design strategies would best address the vehicular circulation, visibility, and future expansion challenges for this project? Select the best answer.
B) Separate vehicular traffic flows with distinct entry and exit points, locate service equipment on the southeast facade screened per PD requirements, and position the building entrance on the northwest side facing parking for convenient access.
A) Locate all vehicular traffic flows on the same access road to minimize site complexity and locate the main entrance on the southeast facade for maximum highway visibility.
C) Position the pedestrian plaza on the southeast side adjacent to the highway to maximize visibility, cluster all vehicular access points on the southwest for future expansion ease, and place the main entrance on the northeast facade.
D) Use a centralized parking deck adjacent to the northeast facade, locate all service equipment on the northwest facade to enhance visibility, and connect the pedestrian plaza internally through the building rather than adjacent sidewalks.

NCARB Project-Planning-Design Exam - Topic 5 Question 13 Discussion

Actual exam question for NCARB's Project-Planning-Design exam
Question #: 13
Topic #: 5
[All Project-Planning-Design Questions]

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

Which of the following design strategies would best address the vehicular circulation, visibility, and future expansion challenges for this project? Select the best answer.

Show Suggested Answer Hide Answer
Suggested Answer: B

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract: Based on the project description and site context:

Separating vehicular traffic flows into distinct entry and exit points improves safety and efficiency. Patient, staff, service/delivery, and emergency vehicles each have different operational needs and access priorities. This separation reduces conflicts and congestion.

Locating service equipment on the southeast facade, which has excellent highway visibility, is appropriate because service areas are typically screened but can take advantage of visibility for logistical purposes. The PD document restricts screening and material use here, so adherence to those guidelines is necessary.

Positioning the main building entrance on the northwest side facing the parking lot optimizes patient and visitor convenience, even though it has less visibility from the highway. This respects pedestrian access from Sycamore Boulevard and aligns with parking access, enhancing user experience.

Future expansion (Phase 2) on the adjacent southwest vacant site is planned, so site circulation and building orientation must allow for growth without major redesign.

Placing the pedestrian plaza connecting to existing sidewalks with bicycle parking and future bus stop meets ADA and site planning requirements, ensuring multimodal accessibility.

The strategy in Option B addresses client priorities, PD document constraints, visibility, safety, and operational efficiency, consistent with NCARB ARE 5.0 Project Integration of Program and Systems content focusing on complex site planning and programmatic coordination.

Options A, C, and D introduce compromises in circulation, visibility, or expansion potential that conflict with the project constraints and client needs.


ARE 5.0 Project Planning & Design Content Outline: Project Integration of Program and Systems --- Site Planning and Vehicular Circulation

City-approved Planned Development (PD) Document Excerpts

ADA Standards for Accessible Design --- Pedestrian Access and Circulation

The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition, Chapter 7: Site Design and Program Integration

Contribute your Thoughts:

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This question is tricky. So many factors to consider.
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Hassie
5 days ago
The pedestrian plaza sounds like a great addition for accessibility!
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Tegan
10 days ago
Not sure if a centralized parking deck is a good idea...
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Samira
15 days ago
Wait, why would you want the entrance facing away from the highway?
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Shala
2 months ago
Totally agree, keeping service equipment screened is key!
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Irving
2 months ago
I think option B makes the most sense for traffic flow.
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Stephane
3 months ago
I recall that screening service equipment is crucial for aesthetics. Option B seems to cover that well, but I’m not sure if it fully addresses future expansion needs as well as the others.
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Brynn
3 months ago
I’m a bit confused about the best way to handle the pedestrian plaza. I feel like option C might not be the best choice since it moves the plaza away from the main entrance.
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Linsey
3 months ago
This question reminds me of a practice exam where we had to consider visibility and access. I think option A could work, but I worry about the convenience of the entrance being on the southeast side.
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Melina
3 months ago
I remember we discussed the importance of separating traffic flows to reduce congestion. Option B seems to align with that principle, but I'm not entirely sure about the service equipment placement.
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