RE
Schematic Design
Overview 1
Interior Layout Vignette 2
Sample Passing Solution 4
Sample Failing Solution 5
Building Layout Vignette 6
Sample Passing Solution 9
Sample Failing Solution 11
References 13
This document, effective July 2012, supersedes all
previous editions of the ARE® 4.0 Exam Guide: Schematic
Design. Please check NCARB’s web site, www.ncarb.org,
regularly for updates to the ARE 4.0 Exam Guides and for the
most current information regarding the ARE.Copyright © 2012
EXAM GUIDE
RE
Vignettes
Interior Layout
Design an interior space plan and furniture arrangement
responding to program, code, and accessibility requirements.
Building Layout
Develop a schematic design for a two-story building addressing
program, code, site, and environmental requirements.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
DIVISION STATEMENT
Apply knowledge and skills required for the schematic design of buildings and interior space planning.
Building Layout
Vignette
References
1July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
2July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
INTERIOR LAYOUT VIGNETTE
General Tips for Taking Interior Layout Directions
The plan on the work screen shows a vacant office space that
is to be developed in accordance with the given program and
code requirements.
Using the tools provided, draw all required spaces (other than
the reception or circulation space). As each space is drawn, it
is enclosed by walls. To avoid having double walls between
adjacent spaces, you must move the walls together until the
two walls merge into a single wall. The reception or circulation
space is defined by exterior walls and/or the walls of the other
spaces. You must use the label that has been provided to identify
it. Complete your solution by drawing doors and placing all
required furniture.
Before beginning your solution, you should review the program
and code information that can be accessed through the Vignette
Index screen and familiarize yourself with the plan of the area to
be developed on the work screen.
Program
Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith are opening a law office in a historic
building. The space is a vacant corner suite of approximately
1,200 ft².
u All spaces and workstations shall comply with the
accessibility requirements stipulated in the code.
Each program space shall include one clear space for
a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn as described
in the code. A continuous path that meets the
minimum clear distance requirement of the code
shall be provided to each work table and to the
eating area behind each desk.
u The furniture layout must allow for reasonable
clearances and access to all of the furniture elements.
Move furniture into
each room, then rotate
and move each item
as necessary.
not
aligned
overlapped
good alignment
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
3July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
INTERIOR LAYOUT VIGNETTE
Space and Furniture Requirements
1. Reception and Business Office (RBO)
u The configuration and furniture layout of this space must
allow a clear view of the suite’s main entrance door from
a secretarial desk.
u This is the only space to be used for circulation.
u All spaces must have direct access to this space.
u Furniture requirements:
2 secretarial desks 1 work table
3 lateral file cabinets 2 lounge chairs
1 square coffee table
2. Mr. Jones’ Office (JO)
u Must have an exterior window.
u Furniture requirements:
1 executive desk 1 table for four
1 credenza 2 arm chairs
3. Mr. Smith’s Office (SO)
u Must have an exterior window.
u Must have direct access to the Library
and Conference Room.
u Furniture requirements:
1 executive desk 3 arm chairs
1 round coffee table 1 small bookcase
4. Library and Conference Room (LCR)
u Furniture requirements:
1 conference table 2 large bookcases
1 arm chair 1 square coffee table
5. Copy Room (CR)
u Furniture requirements:
1 copy machine 1 storage cabinet
1 small bookcase
Code
Comply with the following code requirements. These are the
ONLY code-related criteria you are required to use.
General
1. The space required for a wheelchair to make a 180-degree
turn is a clear space of 60 inches in diameter, as shown
in Figure 1.
2. The minimum clear distance between walls or between
a wall and any other obstruction along an aisle, corridor,
or passageway shall be 36 inches.
Doors
1. Clear width: Doorways shall have a minimum clear opening
of 32 inches with the door open 90 degrees, measured
between the face of the door and the opposite stop.
2. Maneuvering clearances: Minimum maneuvering clearances
at doors shall be as shown in Figure 2. The floor or ground
area within the required clearances shall be level and clear.
No door, when open to 90 degrees, shall interfere with the
maneuvering clearance of another door.
3. Double-leaf doorways: If doorways have two indepen-
dently-operated door leaves, then at least one leaf shall
meet the requirements above for clear width and
maneuvering clearances.
3July 2012 ARE® 4.0
FIGURE 1: TURNING SPACE
FIGURE 2: MANEUVERING
CLEARANCES AT DOORS
60” min.
60” min.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
4July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
INTERIOR LAYOUT VIGNETTE – Sample Passing Solution
This solution has appropriate access to all workspaces as required
by the code. Each room has enough space for a wheelchair to
turn around in as well as to allow access to all furniture. The
reception and business office (RBO) allows for a clear view of
the main entrance from a desk, controls access to all other
spaces, and is the only space used for circulation.
Mr. Smith’s office (SO) has the required direct access to the library
and conference room (LCR). All doors have correct clearances
required for accessibility, the two spaces required to have windows
are properly located, and all of the furniture is provided as stated
in the program.
4July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Direct access provided
as required.
Acceptable visual
control. Typical latch
side accessibility
is maintained
throughout.
Sketch circle used as
accessibility gauge.
This symbol should be
used to designate the
Reception Area.
All work stations
are accessible.
Procedural Tips
u Check overlaps while you are
working through your solution.
u Be sure to keep scrolling until
you have seen all of the Program
information. Click on the down
arrow on the scroll bar to ensure
that you have seen all of the text.
u When elements overlap, you
may have trouble selecting a
particular element. If this happens,
keep clicking (without moving
the mouse) until the desired
element highlights.
Warnings
u Doors cannot be attached to
existing walls. They are only
for walls of rooms you draw.
Tools You Might
Find Useful
u Zoom is especially useful in this
vignette to:
• see whether walls overlap
• adjust overlapping elements
• check clearances
• enlarge a room before you
furnish it
u Sketch grid tool to get an idea
of the scale of the rooms you
want to lay out.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
5July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
INTERIOR LAYOUT VIGNETTE - Sample Failing Solution
This solution has a number of accessibility mistakes that cause
it to fail. Walls and/or furniture encroach or block the necessary
clearances in Mr. Jones’ office (JO) and the work room (WR). Mr.
Smith’s office (SO) does not have the required direct access to
the library and conference room (LCR), and the work room (WR)
is too narrow at the copier to allow proper access. The library
and conference room (LCR) is also missing a piece of furniture.
Proper clearance is not maintained at door.
This area is too
narrow and
prevents access
to copy machine.
Second bookcase
is missing in
conference room.
Required direct
access is not
provided.
Furniture
interferes with
accessibility.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
6July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
BUILDING LAYOUT VIGNETTE
General Tips for Taking Building Layout Directions
Using the tools provided, develop floor plans for the two-story building
described in the program. Your floor plans should be responsive to given
program and code requirements and should reflect principles of sound
design logic. Adequate and code-compliant circulation should be provided,
and the orientation of the building should be responsive to site influences.
Develop your floor plans by sizing and locating all required spaces and any
necessary corridors on the site plan provided on the work screen. Indicate
all windows, doors, and wall openings, and use the “Open to Below” tool
that has been provided to indicate the upper story of the two-story space.
To avoid having double walls between adjacent spaces, you must move
the walls together until the two walls merge into a single wall.
Before beginning your solution, you should review the program and code
information that can be accessed through the Vignette Index screen and
familiarize yourself with the site plan on the work screen.
Program
The family life center will provide recreational and fellowship facilities for
a community church.
1. The site is located on Market Street adjacent to a community church.
Parking is available off the site.
2. The major view is to the north.
3. The receptionist is to have visual control of the entry to each of the
following spaces: the lobby, the game room, and the children’s room.
4. The main entrance door shall face west.
5. All spaces shall have a 9 ft ceiling height except the multi-purpose room,
which shall have an 18 ft ceiling height.
6. The area of each space shall be within 10 percent of the required
program area.
7. The total corridor area shall not exceed 25 percent of the total program area.
8. The second floor envelope must be congruent with or wholly contained
within the first floor envelope with the exception that doors to the
exterior may be recessed for weather protection.
All walls
properly
aligned.
Use the layers icon to
switch between floors.
Floor 1 shown
in light gray.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
7July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
BUILDING LAYOUT VIGNETTE
Program – Spaces
Tag Name Area (ft²) Requirements
ST Stair 800 2 per floor @ 200 ft² per stair
E Elevator Shaft 200 1 per floor @ 100 ft² each; Minimum dimension = 7 ft
EE Elevator Equipment Room 100
EM Electrical/Mechanical Room 500
AO Assistant Director’s Office 200 Exterior window required; Direct access to Secretarial Office
CR Children’s Room 750 Exterior window required; Near Multi-purpose Room
DO Director’s Office 350 Exterior window required; Direct access to Secretarial Office
GR Game Room 1,350 View—exterior window required
L Lobby 700 Main Entrance
LM Large Meeting Room 1,000 Exterior window required
LR Locker Rooms 200 2 @ 100 ft² each; Exterior windows prohibited; Direct access to
Multi-purpose Room
MP Multi-purpose Room 2,600 View—exterior window required; 18 ft ceiling; 2 exits; First floor
R Receptionist 400 Exterior window required; Near Lobby
SM Small Meeting Room 750 Exterior window required; Near Large Meeting Room
SO Secretarial Office 500 Exterior window required; Near Large Meeting Room; Second Floor
SW Social Worker 500 Exterior window required
TR Toilet Rooms 800 2 per floor @ 200 ft² each
TS Table/chair Storage 300 Near Multi-purpose Room
TOTAL PROGRAM AREA 12,000 ft²
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
8July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
BUILDING LAYOUT VIGNETTE
Code
Comply with the following code requirements. These are the
ONLY code-related criteria you are required to use.
Definitions
1. Means of egress: A continuous and unobstructed path of
travel from any point in a building to a public way. A means
of egress comprises the vertical and horizontal means of
travel to an exit and includes intervening doors, interior
wall openings, corridors, circulation areas, and stairs.
2. Circulation area: A lobby or a space designated as an “area.”
3. Exit: That portion of a means of egress that provides a
protected route of travel to the exit discharge. Exits include
both exterior exit doors and exit stairways.
Exiting Requirements
1. Provide a minimum of two exits from each floor separated
by a travel distance equal to not less than 1/2 of the length
of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the floor to
be served.
2. Every room shall connect directly to a corridor or
circulation area.
Exception: elevator equipment rooms and rooms
with an area of 50 ft² or less may connect to a
corridor or circulation area through an intervening
space, but not directly to a stair.
3. In rooms required to have two exit doors, separate the two
exit doors by a distance equal to not less than 1/2 of the
length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of
that room.
u Exit doors may discharge directly to the exterior of
the building at grade.
4. Required exit doors shall swing in the direction of
egress travel.
5. Door swings shall not reduce the minimum clear exit
path to less than 3 ft.
Corridors
1. Discharge corridors directly to the exterior at grade or
through stairs or circulation areas.
2. Do not interrupt corridors with intervening rooms-circulation
areas are not considered to be intervening spaces.
3. Maximum length of dead-end corridors: 20 ft.
4. Minimum clear width of corridors: 6 ft.
Stairs
1. Discharge stairs directly to the exterior at grade.
2. Connect stairs directly to a corridor or circulation area
at each floor with exit access doors.
3. Minimum width of stairs: 4 ft.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
9July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
BUILDING LAYOUT VIGNETTE – Sample Passing Solution
Floor 1
This solution succeeds in meeting all of the program requirements.
The main entrance is from the west, and the receptionist (R) has
good visual control of the entrances to the lobby (L), the game
room (GR), and the children’s room (CR).
The locker rooms (LR) have direct access to the multi-purpose
room (MP), and the table/chair storage (TS) is near the multi-
purpose room (MP).
9July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Procedural Tips
u Before you begin, it helps to
toggle between the Program
and the work screen, looking at
each in the context of the other.
u Read the Program and Program
Spaces listing carefully.
u Be sure to keep scrolling until you
have seen all of the Program infor-
mation. Click on the down arrow
on the scroll bar to ensure that
you have seen all of the text.
u You may want to draw each space
so that it has approximately the
required area, assemble the spaces
into a finished floor plan, then
adjust the areas if necessary.
Note that the dimensions that
are given as you draw a space
are from wall centerline to wall
centerline. It is especially important
to take this into consideration
when you are drawing corridors
to code-required widths, which
are measured from one edge of
the corridor to the other.
u Keep layers from the other floor
turned on to help you see the
limits of the building.
u Check for overlaps while you
are drawing. Be sure to use the
check tool on both floors.
u You are not required to show
doors or wall openings in
elevator walls.
Required view.
Required view.
Visual control
of required
spaces.
Direct access
to exterior.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
10July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
BUILDING LAYOUT VIGNETTE – Sample Passing Solution
Floor 2
On the second floor, the small meeting room (SM) is near the
large meeting room (LM). The director’s office (DO) and the
assistant director’s office (AO) are directly connected to the
secretarial office (SO). The corridor system is straightforward
with exit stairs at each end on the second floor and exits to the
exterior on the first floor. There are no dead-end corridors that
exceed the 20-foot limit established in the code.
10July 2012 ARE® 4.0
u When elements overlap, you may
have trouble selecting a particular
element. If this happens, keep
clicking (without moving the
mouse) until the desired
element highlights.
Warnings
u Wall openings may be drawn
only between circulation areas
(including corridors). Circulation
areas are indicated by a lighter
hatched background.
u Be sure that the walls of adjacent
circulation areas (including
corridors) are opened by doors
or wall openings.
u Remember that you cannot
move elements from one floor
to another.
Tools You Might
Find Useful
u Zoom to see the walls more clearly
u Full-screen cursor to help you
line up the walls
u Sketch grid tool to help you
align elements
“Open to below”
is properly
located above
high ceiling
space.
Straightforward
egress system.
Direct access
requirements
provided.
Relationships meet
program requirements.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
11July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
BUILDING LAYOUT VIGNETTE – Sample Failing Solution
Floor 1
This solution has many problems that resulted in a failing score.
The main entrance is from the east instead of from the west,
as required. The receptionist (R) does not have adequate visual
control over the entrance to the children’s room (CR).
No visual control
of children’s room.
Building entrance
from the wrong
street.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
12July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
BUILDING LAYOUT VIGNETTE – Sample Failing Solution
Floor 2
On the second floor, the director and assistant director’s
offices (DO and AO, respectively) are directly connected to the
secretarial office (SO), but the aspect ratio of one of the rooms
is unacceptable. Though less important, the small meeting
room (SM) is smaller than the program allows.
Small meeting
room is smaller
than required
Room has poor
aspect ratio.
Schematic
Design
2 Vignettes
Overview
Interior Layout
Vignette
Building Layout
Vignette
References
13July 2012 ARE® 4.0
Schematic Design
The Architect’s Studio Companion:
Technical Guidelines for Preliminary Design
Edward Allen and Joseph Iano
John Wiley & Sons, latest edition
Architectural Graphic Standards
Charles G. Ramsey and Harold R. Sleeper
The American Institute of Architects
John Wiley & Sons, latest edition
Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design Data
Donald Watson, Michael Crosbie, and
John Hancock Callender, Editors
McGraw-Hill, latest edition
REFERENCES
The following references are presented to assist candidates in preparation for the examination. This list represents texts
that have content covered in this division of the examination. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible
reference materials for the subject area. NCARB makes no guarantee that the various references are currently in print.
2011 Schematic Design
Overview
Interior Layout Vignette
Sample Passi