Study guide
17.3 Documenting Site Features: Survey, Civil, Grading, Utilities & Landscape
Architect Registration Examination ARE 5.0
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1 Chapter 1: ARE 5.0 Structure, Delivery & Scoring
1.1 The Six Divisions: Items, Durations, Sections & Objectives 1.2 Eligibility, PSI Delivery, Fees, Scheduling & Rescheduling 1.3 Cut Scores, Score Reports, Provisional Feedback & Retakes
2 Chapter 2: Licensure Path, Item Types & Test-Day Strategy
2.1 Education Standard, AXP Hours, Settings & Reporting Rules 2.2 The NCARB Record, Score Validity Policy & Reciprocity 2.3 Item Types, Case Studies, Exam Tools, Breaks & Pacing
3 Chapter 3: Practice Management — Firm Resources, Conduct & the Work Environment
3.1 Assessing Practice Resources: Staffing, Development & Capital Investment 3.2 Regulating the Work Environment: FLSA, Antidiscrimination Law, OSHA & ADA Title III 3.3 Ethical Standards, the NCARB Rules of Conduct & the Standard of Care 3.4 Business Structures, Firm Ownership Rules & Practice-Wide Methodologies
4 Chapter 4: Practice Management — Firm Finances & Financial Health
4.1 Utilization, Overhead, Break-Even & Net Multiplier 4.2 Liquidity, Solvency & Reading Firm Financials Strategically 4.3 Accrual vs. Cash Accounting & the Architectural Balance Sheet 4.4 The Income Statement, Net Operating Revenue & Cash Flow Management
5 Chapter 5: Practice Management — Risk, Insurance & Business Development
5.1 Risk Management & the Firm’s Insurance Portfolio 5.2 Contractual Risk Allocation, Intellectual Property & Dispute Resolution 5.3 Client Requests, Compensation Methods, Project Delivery & Project Risk
6 Chapter 6: Project Management — Team, Resources & Consultants
6.1 Assembling the Project Team: Roles, Authority & Selection Criteria 6.2 Allocating & Managing Project Resources: Hours, Rates & Leveling 6.3 Consultant Selection, Qualifications-Based Selection & Scope Boundaries 6.4 AIA C401: Flow-Through, Consultant Standard of Care, Insurance & Payment
7 Chapter 7: Project Management — Work Planning, Scheduling & Budget Control
7.1 The Project Work Plan & Phase Fee Allocation 7.2 Work Breakdown Structures, Scheduling Methods & Dependency Logic 7.3 Critical Path Calculations, Float & Schedule Compression 7.4 Project Communication: Paths, Instruments, Meetings & the Record 7.5 Monitoring the Project Budget with Earned Value Management 7.6 Scope Creep, Additional Services & Written Authorization
8 Chapter 8: Project Management — Contracts, Approvals & Quality Control
8.1 AIA B101: Initial Information, Standard of Care & Basic Services 8.2 B101: Owner Duties, Cost of the Work, Copyright, Termination & Compensation 8.3 The Owner-Contractor Agreement & A201 Contractor Responsibilities 8.4 A201: Architect Administration, Changes, Claims & Separate Contractors 8.5 Regulatory Compliance, Authorities Having Jurisdiction & Project Approvals 8.6 Documenting a Project for the Specified Delivery Method 8.7 Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Constructability & the Record
9 Chapter 9: Programming & Analysis — Site & Environmental Conditions
9.1 Climate Classification, Solar Geometry & Passive Site Opportunities 9.2 Microclimate, Wind, Topography, Grading & Site Hydrology 9.3 Environmental Due Diligence: CERCLA Liability & Phase I / Phase II Assessments 9.4 Soil Mechanics, Geotechnical Investigation & Foundation Selection 9.5 Vehicular Circulation, Access Management, Parking & Emergency Access
10 Chapter 10: Programming & Analysis — Zoning, Codes & Site Infrastructure
10.1 Pedestrian Circulation, Site Utilities & Contextual Constraints 10.2 Zoning Authority, Euclidean and Form-Based Codes & Bulk Standards 10.3 Non-Conforming Uses, Variances, Easements & Parking Feasibility 10.4 IBC Occupancy Classification, Mixed Occupancy & Incidental Uses 10.5 IBC Construction Types, Fire-Resistance Ratings & Compartmentation
11 Chapter 11: Programming & Analysis — Building Programming & Feasibility
11.1 Programming Methodology, Net vs. Gross Area & Building Efficiency 11.2 Adjacency Matrices, Bubble Diagrams, Blocking & Stacking 11.3 Evaluating an Existing Building Against a Program 11.4 Reviewing Project Budget & Schedule Feasibility Against Scope 11.5 Identifying Building & Structural System Alternatives at Programming
12 Chapter 12: Project Planning & Design — Siting, Configuration, Codes & Life Safety
12.1 Building Siting, Neighborhood Context, Zoning Application & Configuration 12.2 IBC Allowable Area: Tabular Area, Frontage & Sprinkler Increases 12.3 Building Height, Story Limits, Mixed Occupancy & Unlimited Area Buildings 12.4 Means of Egress Components & Occupant Load Calculation 12.5 Exit Count, Remoteness, Egress Capacity, Travel Distance & Dead Ends 12.6 Accessible Routes, Slopes, Protruding Objects & Ramp Design 12.7 Door Clearances, Operating Hardware & Accessible Toilet Room Geometry
13 Chapter 13: Project Planning & Design — Structural & Mechanical Systems
13.1 Selecting Structural Systems: Steel, Concrete, Wood & Masonry 13.2 Lateral Force-Resisting Systems, Wind Loads & Seismic Design 13.3 Thermal Comfort, ASHRAE Standard 55 & Psychrometrics 13.4 HVAC System Typologies, Spatial Allocation & Central Plant Equipment 13.5 Potable Water Supply, Drainage, Waste & Vent Systems 13.6 Electrical Distribution, Emergency Power, Lighting & Daylighting 13.7 Fire Suppression, Standpipes, Conveying, Security & Communications
14 Chapter 14: Project Planning & Design — Envelope, Materials & Cost
14.1 Envelope Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer & Fenestration Performance 14.2 Thermal Bridging, Continuous Insulation & Thermal Mass 14.3 Passive Solar Heating, Natural Ventilation & Daylighting Architecture 14.4 Material Selection Criteria, Fire Performance & Vapor Permeance 14.5 Life Cycle Assessment, Embodied Carbon & Material Transparency 14.6 Galvanic Compatibility, Thermal Movement & Masonry Durability 14.7 Cost Estimating by Phase & Contingency Planning 14.8 Life-Cycle Cost Analysis, Present Value & Value Engineering
15 Chapter 15: Project Development & Documentation — Roofing, Waterproofing & Wall Assemblies
15.1 Low-Slope Roofing Systems, Membranes & Drainage Geometry 15.2 Flashing, Parapets, Copings & Roof Penetration Detailing 15.3 Steep-Slope Roofing & Below-Grade Waterproofing 15.4 Enclosure Control Layers & Rain Screen Cladding Systems 15.5 Vapor Retarders, Permeance Classes & Dew Point Control
16 Chapter 16: Project Development & Documentation — Connections, Coordination & Interiors
16.1 Structural Steel Connections & Base Plate Detailing 16.2 Concrete Reinforcing, Cover & Building Movement Joints 16.3 Sizing Structural, Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Components 16.4 Ceiling Plenum Coordination, Clash Detection & Level of Development 16.5 Vertical Chases, Shaft Walls, Through-Penetration Firestopping & Rated Joints 16.6 Interior Partition Framing, Head-of-Wall Details & Rated Gypsum Assemblies 16.7 Sound Isolation, STC, NRC & Reverberation Time 16.8 Door and Frame Construction & Fire Door Assemblies Under NFPA 80 16.9 Hardware Functions, Fire-Protection vs. Fire-Resistance Glazing
17 Chapter 17: Project Development & Documentation — Drawings, Specifications & Estimates
17.1 The National CAD Standard, Sheet Modules & Title Blocks 17.2 Drawing Cross-Referencing, Coordination & Revision Control 17.3 Documenting Site Features: Survey, Civil, Grading, Utilities & Landscape 17.4 The Project Manual & CSI MasterFormat Divisions 17.5 Section Numbering & the CSI Three-Part SectionFormat 17.6 Specification Methods & Document Precedence 17.7 Quantity Takeoff Estimating, General Conditions, Overhead & Alternates
18 Chapter 18: Construction & Evaluation — Procurement, Bidding & Preconstruction
18.1 Procurement Methods & AIA A701 Instructions to Bidders 18.2 Addenda Mechanics & Surety Bonds 18.3 The Preconstruction Conference & Administrative Protocols 18.4 Submittal Schedules, Long-Lead Items, Permits & Special Inspections 18.5 Bid Opening, Bidder Qualification & Discrepancy Rules 18.6 Alternates, Allowances, Unit Prices & Contract Award
19 Chapter 19: Construction & Evaluation — Observation & Contract Administration
19.1 The Architect’s Site Observation Role & the Means and Methods Firewall 19.2 Rejecting Non-Conforming Work, Special Inspections & Field Reports 19.3 Submittal Workflow, Review Responsibility & Action Stamps 19.4 Delegated Design, Design-Assist & Deferred Submittals 19.5 Requests for Information & Architect’s Supplemental Instructions 19.6 Change Orders, Construction Change Directives & Instrument Comparison
20 Chapter 20: Construction & Evaluation — Payment, Closeout & Evaluation
20.1 The Schedule of Values & the Application and Certificate for Payment 20.2 Stored Materials, Retainage, Certification Duties & Withholding 20.3 Substantial Completion & the Punch List Protocol 20.4 The Certificate of Substantial Completion & Its Legal Consequences 20.5 Final Completion, Final Payment & the Closeout Package 20.6 Warranty Administration, the Eleven-Month Walk-Through & Post-Occupancy Evaluation
17.3 Documenting Site Features: Survey, Civil, Grading, Utilities & Landscape
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
The survey establishes boundary, easements, existing topography, existing utilities, and the benchmark and vertical datum that every other site drawing must reference.
Under AIA B101 Article 5 the owner furnishes the survey and geotechnical report; the architect verifies that they cover the design.
The boundary between the architectural site plan and the civil drawings must be stated explicitly, or elements at that seam end up in neither contract.
Spot elevations govern wherever precision matters, including finish floor, door thresholds, top of curb, wall tops and bottoms, and every accessible route control point.
Accessible route running slope may not exceed 1:20 without becoming a ramp and cross slope may not exceed 1:48, so the drawings must carry enough spot elevations to prove it.
Last updated: September 2026
PDD objective 2.2 asks you to determine appropriate documentation of site features . Site documentation is produced by several disciplines at once, and the recurring failure is a gap or a contradiction between the architectural site plan and the civil drawings.
Who Documents What
- Sheet series Discipline Typical content
- V Survey Existing conditions, boundary, topography, easements, utilities, benchmarks
C Civil Demolition, grading and drainage, site utilities, erosion and sediment control, paving and striping, site details
L Landscape Planting, irrigation, hardscape, site furnishings
A (site sheets) Architecture Architectural site plan, building location and dimensions, accessible routes, site-related architectural elements
E (site sheets) Electrical Site lighting, photometrics, power to site equipment
The boundary between the architectural site plan and the civil drawings must be stated explicitly in the documents. A common convention is that civil documents the site up to approximately 5 feet from the building and architecture documents everything inside that line, but the convention varies by firm and by project, and an unstated boundary is how a stoop, an area drain, or a bollard ends up in neither contract.
The Survey Is the Basis of Everything
Every site drawing is built on the survey, and the survey establishes:
Boundary and bearings , with recorded easements and rights-of-way.
Existing topography , usually at 1-foot or 2-foot contour intervals.
A benchmark and a vertical datum. Every spot elevation in the set must reference the same datum. Mixing an assumed site datum with a published geodetic datum produces a building set at the wrong elevation, and it is discovered during excavation.
Existing utilities , their size, material, and invert elevations.
Existing improvements, trees, and encroachments.
Under AIA B101 Article 5 the owner furnishes the survey and the geotechnical report. The architect verifies that what was furnished actually covers the design.
Grading and Drainage Documentation
Grading is documented with contours for general form and spot elevations for control points. Spot elevations govern wherever precision matters:
- Finish floor elevation, and the elevation at each door threshold
- Top of curb and gutter flow line
- Top and bottom of walls and stairs
- High points, low points, and the rim and invert of every drainage structure
- Every point along an accessible route where slope must be verified
Two rules do most of the work. First, positive drainage away from the building : the ground should fall away from the structure for a minimum distance, and a paved surface generally needs at least a 1% slope to drain (2% for most grass areas). Second, accessible route slopes are documented, not assumed : an accessible route may not exceed 1:20 running slope without becoming a ramp, and cross slope may not exceed 1:48, so the drawings must carry enough spot elevations to prove compliance.
Utilities, Erosion Control & Site Details
Utility plans show routing, size, material, invert elevations, and the point of connection to each service, along with required separations between water and sewer.
Erosion and sediment control plans document silt fence, inlet protection, construction entrances, and stabilization measures required by the project's stormwater permit, and they are typically a prerequisite to any land disturbance.
Stormwater management documents detention or retention volume, outlet control structures, and any low-impact development measures such as bioretention or permeable paving.
Site details resolve paving sections, curbs, walls, fences, bollards, tree protection, and trench sections — the pieces that appear on every project and are most often copied forward without checking.
Coordinating the Site Documents
Coordination check Why it fails
Finish floor elevation matches on architectural, civil, and structural Each discipline carries it independently and one is not updated
- Building footprint and dimensions match civil and architectural Civil works from an early background
- Accessible route slopes verified end to end Slopes documented in pieces, never checked continuously
Utility entry points match the plumbing and electrical risers Civil sets an entry location the interior plan cannot accept
Site lighting does not conflict with landscape or utilities Three disciplines documenting the same ground plane
Datum consistent across every site sheet Mixed assumed and geodetic datums
Exam Tip: When an item describes a conflict between drawings, ask which discipline owns the information. The survey owns existing conditions and datum, civil owns grading and site utilities, landscape owns planting and irrigation, and architecture owns the building and the accessible route from the property line to the entrance. The correct response is to resolve the conflict at the owning discipline, not to redraw it on the architectural sheet.