Architecture practice questions

The creator of the great dome at Santa Maria della Fiore (Il Duomo) in Florence has often been described as the first great architect of the Renaissance. He was instrumental in developing perspective drawing and in the development of structural engineering. He was also a key figure in renewing interest in "classical architectural forms." Who was this important figure in Renaissance Architecture?

a) Leonardo da Vinci b)Brunelleschi c)Michelangelo d)Bramante (b)

which of the following best describes the basic parts of a small roman city?

a) a series of concentric arched walls connected by curving barrel vaults b)an agora, an acropolis, and a "sacred way" c)a north/south street, and east/west street and a forum near the intersection d) a series of slender stoa structures creating the principle market space and major streets (c)

which statment best describes Bramante's Tempietto?

a) a very large almost un-buildable structure with an elliptical dome resting on a forest of irregular wooden columns b) an exuberant and extreme manipulation of gothic architectural forms with little evidence of classical knowledge c) a new kind of building type used as a house by wealthy banking families in Florence and Rome d) a small circular chapel building with a dome above and encircled by correct classical columns (d)

which of the following best describes the structural system of the colosseum (or flavian amphitheater) in rome?

a) a wooden "shell vault" built over thick masonry walls containing lion, tiger, and bear bones for added strength b) a vast dome resting on a massive, solid, round walls nearly 16 feet thick enclosed by the colosseum space completely c)a double-shelled groin vault with large arches springing from a series of flavian wallas and beams trusses d) rows of curving barrel-vaults supported by masonry arcades stacked one-upon-another to form the oval "bowl shape" (d)

which of the following best describes the structural system of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (Istanbul)?

a) an ascending series of partial domes supporting an enormous central dome b)tall and slender groin vaults with reed-like ribbing resting on short round columns c)tall barrel vaults spanning across a series of thick walls d)a series of heavy stone lintels and slabs spanning across the tops of slender columns (a)

Which statement best describes the Baroque Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (four fountains)?

a) an exuberant and extreme manipulation or distortion of classical architectural forms b) an enormous cathedral with a tall vaulted nave and four fountains above the cloister c)a correct, classical, doric, greek portico attached to an enormous octagonal domed structure d)a serious and straightforward restatement of classical language and ideals (a)

How was the idea of a "Campus," introduced by Jefferson at UVa, different than traditional university organization in the early 19th Century?

a) before Jefferson's UVA university organization was usually based on traditional monasteries b)Jefferson advocated the removal of all central heating and air conditioning from student dorms c) the UVA was arranged in a large circle with student dorms at the outer edges and professors in the middle d) groups of students were understood to be "camping" at the university in primitive conditions- hence "campus" (a)

As discussed in class, what relationship was observed between Baroque sculpture and Baroque architecture?

a) both tended to express twisting or exaggerated form b) both were direct copies of ideal classical form c)both were attempts to connect to their gothic roots d)architecture and sculpture are never complex in the Baroque (a)

which of the following best describes the change in the classical orders from the pantheon to Hagia Sophia ?

a) classical orders, based on ancient greek models, were no longer thought to be important or relevant when Hagia Sophia was built b) both Hagia Sophia and the Pantheon use correct ionic order columns and capitols c)at Hagia Sophia, all of the major Classical Orders were used, according to the "greek and romans rules" d)Hagia Sophia does not use columns at all, whereas the pantheon has all kinds of columns throughout (a)

What is the term used to describe the uppermost level of windows in the nave of a Christian Basilica? (Hint: these windows are above the roof of the side aisles and bring light directly into the nave.)

a) clerestroy b) the golden level c)narthex d) flying buttress (a?)

The dome of the Pantheon was an extraordinary technological achievement in Ancient Rome and its span was not equalled for another 1500 years. The dome admits a single source of natural light into the enormous space below it, what is the name given to the opening at the top of the dome to allow light into the interior?

a) coffer b) oculus c)roman skylight d) drum light (b)

In the Baroque Period architects often employed the use of a particular geometry which was thought to embody the idea of duality or the unity of opposite qualities. What was the name of this geometric shape seen in the dome of the Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (four fountains)?

a) ellipse b)circle c)octagon d)pointed arch (a)

The image below depicts a house design by Le Doux from the 18th Century. The building, though never built, was intended to house a water inspector — a purpose that was intended to be legible or understood by virtue of the form or configuration of the dwelling. What theory, developed by Le Doux was thought to be illustrated by this etching?

a) form follows function architecture b)authoritarian architecture c)water architecture d)speaking architecture (d)

At the Campidoglio in Rome, Michelangelo developed a new technique for unifying a facade composition by adding multi-story, ground-to-cornice columns over-laid upon single-story columns. In the building below, this technique is, in turn, stacked one upon another, creating a building that can be read as four stories, or two stories - but is, in fact, only one story inside. What is the term used to describe the arrangement of multi-story columns such as those seen on the Campidoglio or in the building below?

a) giant order b)forced perspective c)ionic order d)bay structure (a)

which of the following best describes the structural systems of the Biiblioteque St Genevieve?

a) huge rough-hewn oak beams and clumnss supported the brightly painted temple-like structure b) load-bearing masonry exterior wall conceals a cast-iron frame inside c) a cast-iron facade is supported by internal masonry bookcases shaped like corinthian columns d)the building's steel frame it's delicate glass facade- allowing abundant "greenhouse' heat (b)

what is the program (use or purpose) of the Altes building in Berlin by Schinkel?

a) it was the tallest building in berlin at the time of its construction b) an early example of a public library c) a palace for the king of prussia d) was and is a public museum- often said to be the first (d)

which of the following best describes Piranesi's Carceri series of etchings?

a) piranesi designed a whole series of enormous libraries capable of containing "all knowledge" b) an orderly classification of knowledge into a well illustrated categories, like the encyclopedia c)dark, macabre depictions of the makeshift inhabitation of enormous classical ruins- the opposite of classical order d) faithful depictions of fresh, new renaissance churches with correct and carefully refined classical language (c)

which of the following best describes the structural system of the dome at S. Maria Della Fiore (Il Duomo) in Florence?

a) tall and slender groin vaults with reed-like ribbing resting on tall slender columns supported by flying buttresses b) an octagonal ribbed dome and a circular "corbeled dome" built simultaneously with an "external shell" layer on top c) a wooden shell dome built over slender masonry walls at the crossing of the transept and naive d)an ascending series of "brunelleschi" arches supporting a small elliptical dome above the altar (b)

where would one expect to find tension forces at work in a simple beam spanning between two columns?

a) tension is always located in the upper half of a beam b) stone makes an excellent spanning member because very good at resisting the tension (the "pulling force) c)tension is not a force found in spanning members (beams) d) tension would typically be found in the bottom half of a simple beam (d)

What is the name of the largest and most famous Greek Temple on the Acropolis? (hint; this is a Doric Temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena).

a) the stoa b)the parthenon c) the temple of Athena nike d)the temple of Poseidon (b)

Gothic buildings were constructed by teams of masons who's structural concepts were based on experience and estimation rather than on careful calculation or tested scientific principles. Which of the events below called that "pre-engineering" building method into question near the end of the Gothic period?

a) the success of flying buttresses in supporting the lateral loads of pointed arch groin vaults b)the introduction of "drone assisted structural systems"- buildings held aloft by squadrons of amazon.com delivery drones c)the catastrophic failure of two vaults in 1284 at the Cathedral of St. Pierre d'Beauvias d)the development of arched systems of spanning such as those used in greek temples (c)

which of the following best describes the relationship between architects Bernini and Borromini?

a) the two were rivals, vying for the attention of elite patrons b) the two were collaborators, helping each other with major projects c)both were devoted to the care and training of tiny but highly productive "drafting monkeys" d) bernini was a great admirer of Borromini, carving many beautiful statues in his likeness (a)

Which of the following is the correct name for the Villa designed by Andrea Palladio with four identical porticos facing away from a central dome in four different directions?

a) the villa la rocca b) the villa foscari (aka villa malcontenta) c) the villa rotunda (aka villa carpa) d) the villa malaparte (c)

what type of column is this?

a) tuscan order column capitol b) corinthian order column capitol c) ionic order column capitol d) doric order column capitol (c)

Which of the following best describes the relationship of building structure and building enclosure (glass skin) at the Pompidou Center?

a)A "high-strength" type of glass is used at the Pompidou as both the primary structure and the building enclosure. b)The Center's glass skin covers the building structure to protect the structure from the elements. c)In an unusual configuration, the primary structure of the Pompidou Center is outside the enclosing glass walls. d)The Pompidou's glass enclosure is co-planar with the building structure making it easy to maintain. c

Which of the following is not an element or component of the Bordeaux Villa by Rem Koolhaas?

a)A slender tension rod extending from a large steel beam to a mass of concrete hidden in the ground of the courtyard. b)An underground sauna and mineral bath fed by hot springs deep within the Bordeaux landscape. c)A wide gap (with no guardrails) between two halves of the third level, crossed only on a retractable bridge. d)A huge, concrete disk that can be opened like a window using a hand crank. b

Which of the following best describes the architecture of Alvar Aalto?

a)A strict restatement of early modernist principles best described in the 5 Points of a New Architecture. b)A radical architecture of shifting grids and complex formal manipulations based on highly abstract formal principals. c)A gentler modernism, more materially eclectic and devoted the enhancing human experience and detail. d)Typically, Aalto's buildings were strict interpretations of classical traditions and Greek architectural language. c

What is the "Hellscraper" described in the Module 12 Weekend House?

a)A tall house with an array of solar reflectors for heat in winter. b)A tall skyscraper built by an architect known as "the devil himself." c)An underground home, skylit from above. d)A deconstructivist building with an extreme heating system. c

Please look at the image below. This house is located on a somewhat unique site and is the second design by the architect's for that site. Which of the following is the best description of the unique features of the site which influenced the design?

a)Access via automobile was prohibited. b)Frequent flooding at the site and difficult water management requirements. c)Site access was only by boat from the mainland. d)The steep slope and the row of Eucalyptus trees. d

In the recent New Orleans Morphology presentation we discussed the topography of the city - with high-ground and low-lying areas. How much of the City of New Orleans is located below sea-level and where is most of the high-ground located?

a)Almost 90% of New Orleans is below average sea-level with only a thin high-ground strip in the French Quarter still above sea-level b)About 74.5% of New Orleans is below sea-level with high-ground areas on older salt domes in and around the City. c)All of New Orleans is well above sea-level with the highest points located near the center of the City. d)About 50% of the City of New Orleans is at or below sea-level with high-ground areas located near the Mississippi River d

Which of the following best describes the Open Plan as we have explored it in class?

a)An Open Plan uses spiral staircases to "open" the floors to each other. b)An open plan uses walls with doors that can be "opened" to change rooms. c)An Open Plan makes extensive use of the cantilever. d)An Open Plan uses fewer walls to separate functions than a traditional plan. d

Which of the following best describes the "syntax of materials" at Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright?

a)Basic elements like wood, stone, fire and water make up the "syntax of materials" at the house. b)Vertical piers clad with rough limestone; beige stucco edges on horizontal slabs; and red, steel-sash glazing. c)An exposed, unpainted, steel frame enclosing a series of clearly defined rooms and spaces. d)Elliptical domes and spiral staircases define the boundaries of the rooms at Fallingwater. b

Our exploration of the Sendai Mediatheque revealed an interesting similarity between this "High Tech" building made in 2000 and the 1929 "Villa Savoye" by Le Corbusier. Which answer best describes that similarity?

a)Both buildings use a variation on the "Domino" frame with columns (or "tubes" at Sendai) and flat floor slabs. b)Both buildings have hidden, reinforced concrete frames with slender, round columns and wide floor plates. c)Sendai and Savoye both have white, stucco exterior enclosures with long, narrow, "ribbon windows" all around. d)Le Corbusier and Toyo Ito are both fascinated by columns that look like "seaweed" as they "flow" through slabs. a

Which of the following best describes the Bordeaux Villa by Architect Rem Koolhaas?

a)Constructed for a client in a wheelchair, the Villa has an elevator the size of a room to access a vertical library. b)This is the second in a sequence of houses showing how a cube can be manipulated to create a house form. c)This villa marks a return to clear and straight-forward architecture influenced by ancient classical forms and types. d)Rem Koolhaas introduced his concept of "radical dematerialization" to in the Bordeaux Villa. a

What attitude toward programmatic function is evidenced by the work of Peter Eisenman?

a)Eisenman insists on detaching architectural form from the immediate or conspicuous service of practical function. b)Eisenman is most interested in expressing the advanced construction technology used to build his houses. c)Eisenman follows the dictates of Mies van der Rohe and Louis Sullivan, believing that Form follows Function. d)Eisenman is careful to divide his structures into bands of served and service spaces forming in a simple, tartan grid. a

The blocks of the French Quarter in New Orleans are characterized by which of the following?

a)French Quarter blocks are square, with long, thin lots and buildings featuring abundant covered outdoor spaces. b)Most French Quarter buildings are set well back from the street on wide and deep lots on narrow blocks. c)French Quarter blocks are irregular and unsystematic, originally organized into four roughly square lots each. d)The curving, winding streets of the French Quarter help to increase cross ventilation in the deep & wide houses. a

The Image below depicts the dining space of the Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright. In class, we discussed the intricate integration of all the many design elements in the dwelling—from the structural system and climate control to the design of the carpet and furniture (even the place settings at the dining table). Which of the following is the term used to describe this comprehensive control of design in a single building?

a)Gesamkunstwerk - meaning "Total Work of Art" in English b)Promenade Architectural - meaning "Destination Room" c)The Robie Principle - named for the Robie House. d)Open Plan - open to all sorts of design ideas. a

Which of the following Architects was an employer and a mentor to the young Frank Lloyd Wright?

a)Henri Labroust b)HH Richardson c)William Gates d)Louis Sullivan d

Which of the following best describes the house called "Fallingwater" by Frank Lloyd Wright?

a)It is a clear demonstration of Wright's "Prairie Style" of architecture b)It was built directly above the most spectacular natural feature of its location in Pennsylvania. c)It is a small, rectangular, temple-like building based on the "Golden Section" as developed by the Greeks. d)It is located in a suburb of Chicago - now on the campus of the University of Chicago. b

Last week, we studied a building constructed in Seattle, Washington in 2013. That building used Solar Panels (photovoltaics) to generate much of its own power. The building was described as "Net-Zero" or "Net-Positive" in its energy use. What does the phrase "Net-Zero" mean?

a)On an annual basis, the building, (connected to the urban power grid), generates as much energy as it uses. b)The solar panels are able to generate electricity at night when disconnected from the power grid. c)The building uses "solar-nets" in a grid form to capture energy. d)The building generates more than zero watts of power a

In class last week we examined the work of a Swiss architect who prefers to work in the in the climate and context of his home country because he feels he has a deeper insight into the nature of design in that place. One of the projects we saw was a chapel to Saint Benedict in a small village on a mountainside. Who is the architect of that small chapel in the Swiss Countryside?

a)Peter Zumthor b)Zaha Hadid c)Rem Koolhaas d)Peter Eisenman a

Please observe the image of the SunShower House below. As we saw in the Weekend House 11 Video, this house was constructed using SSIP's. What does the acronym SSIP stand for?

a)Small Socially Intense Project b)Stiffened Steel Integrated Patents c)Solar Shower Integrated Parts d)Steel Structural Insulated Panel c

When Frank Gehry completed his Guggenheim Museum in Spain it seemed to spark a period of rapid economic growth as a formerly declining industrial town became a center for cultural arts and design. What is the name given to this economic phenomenon generated by famous or conspicuous works of architecture?

a)The Domino System b)Mass-Customization c)The Bilbao Effect d)The Gehry Payback c

Which of the following best describes the Eames House?

a)The Eames House used elaborate custom fabrication techniques with extensive brick and stone. b)It was a model home for a high-end residential development in New York. c)The Eames House was not really a house but functioned as an exhibit space for ancient Chinese pottery. d)It is a "Case Study House" (#8) which explored the use of "off-the-shelf" parts to make a simple frame building. d

Which of the following describes the Katsura Imperial Villa near Kyoto, Japan (from 1616 to 1660)?

a)The Katsura Villa features a large, 8 story pagoda tower building marking the outer ring of Kyoto, Japan. b)Katsura is a small wooden structure rebuilt to suit the changing needs of each emperor in the royal succession. c)The Katsura Villa is a compact building of finely dressed masonry with elegant 3:4 proportions. d)Katsura is a complex array of spaces forming interconnected pavilions interspersed with gardens and outdoor areas. d

What is the name of this famous house?

a)The Villa Savoye b)The Villa Rotunda (aka Villa Carpa) c)The Esherick House d)The Villa Maria d

Which of the following is the best description of the entry to the Thermal Baths in Vals, Switzerland?

a)The baths building is accessed through a tunnel from a neighboring hotel, there is no exterior entry. b)A covered drop-off area known as a "porte-cochère" facilitates arrival by car to this Mediterranean Spa. c)Access to the baths building is achieved by a winding path up the steep mountain slope to a "stepped entry." d)A modernist "portico" with broad allusions to a Roman Temple forms the main entrance to the baths building. a

The image below depicts the construction of the Bullitt Center that we explored in class last week. Which of the following best describes the primary construction material of the frame in the upper levels of this 6-story building?

a)The building is made entirely of steel-reinforced concrete frames. b)Steel planks over pre-cast concrete frames are used throughout the structure. c)The building uses carbon-sequestering "mass-timber" construction on the upper floors. d)The structure has load-bearing masonry exterior walls and a cast iron frame inside. c

Please examine the image of a chair below. Although not a work of architecture per se, furniture designed by architects has often been able to convey the design aesthetic and architectural qualities of interest to many modern and contemporary architects. Sometimes, as is the case below, the furniture designs of an architect or firm are even better known than their buildings and larger works. For the famous chair depicted below, which of the following best describes the material used to construct this an many related pieces of furniture:

a)The chair is made of wood with a hidden steel frame. b)The chair is made of carved wood. c)The chair is made of fiberglass with a faux wood finish. d)The chair is made of molded plywood. d

In our discussion of the modern city last week, one factor stood out as the primary cause of the new visions of an urban environment. Sometimes thought of as "liberating" and sometimes as necessary, accommodating what new technology caused the greatest change in the way cities were envisioned?

a)The development of the steel frame b)The proliferation of the private automobile c)The development of air-travel and passenger aircraft d)the proliferation of supermarkets and malls b

Which of the following is the most accurate description of the ken in traditional Japanese Architecture?

a)The ken is a unit and a proportioning system based on a 2:1 proportion - such as a 6' by 3' tatami mat. b)A ken pertains to the form-work of concrete construction systems typical of traditional Japanese buildings. c)In an extraordinary example of cross-cultural discovery, the ken is the Japanese name for a Greek golden section. d)The ken is a measure of time (about 9 months). Every 18 ken, a wooden Japanese building must be reconstructed. a

In the "Ville Contemporaine" or Contemporary City project we explored in class, the city of Paris (with 3 million inhabitants at the time) was re-envisioned to have a rational organization with high-speed roadways and a systematic deployment of housing and work buildings. Please examine the image below and note the "+" shaped towers in the center of the urban design. What was the purpose of those towers? What use was intended for them?

a)The towers in the center were luxury apartments b)The towers in the center were housing for workers c)The towers in the center were airport control buildings. d)The towers in the center were office buildings d

We made a close study in class of an extraordinary Japanese temple complex (depicted below) that is re-built, identically, at predictable intervals. What is the interval of reconstruction for that special temple complex that is so important to an understanding of Japanese culture and architecture?

a)This Shrine or Temple is re-built every 20 years. b)The Shrine or Temple is re-built at the death of Japanese Emperor before the next takes over. c)The interval of reconstruction is based on a lunar calendar, every 32 moons it is rebuilt. d)The Temple (or Shrine) must be reconstructed every 9 years due to the humid climate. a

In class last week, we considered the housing proposal pictured below - a building which contained apartments, a shopping level with a grocery store, a roof deck with an elementary school and views from nearly all apartments to the sea. Who was the architect who created this vision of living in a single building with so many of life's necessary elements contained within?

a)Zaha Hadid b)Frank Lloyd Wright c)Peter Zumthor d)Le Corbuiser d

What is a stoa?

a)a menacing temple building located at the edge of a greek city to frighten lost pets and small children b)a long, thin building with a row of columns in front and a series of small rooms behind the columns c)a large greek temple to Athena on the acropolis in Athens d)one of the three greek orders, along with doric and ionic (b)

Which of the Following best describes the "golden section" or "golden rectangle" proportioning system?

a)the "golden section" is a proportioning system divisible into squares and yet more golden sections b)the ancient greeks believed that the square was the ideal shape for buildings- with all sides equal c)the "golden section" is used to designate the proper area in the city for "the one percent" d)the ancient greeks used a constantly changing system of proportion with few predictable qualities (a)

what are the three floors in the Palazzo Medici called?

lowest = piano rustico middle= piano noble highest= piano attico

Roman arch vs gothic arch

roman is round and produces more lateral force