Building Design and Construction Systems Graphic Vignettes Video Tutorials

Feb 10, 2012

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In this tutorial we cover all the Building Design and Construction Systems: Roof Plan Vignette, Stair Vignette, and Ramp Vignette:

Roof Plan Graphic Vignette Tutorial

Roof Scope:

Upper and lower roof
Clerestory requirements
Roof planes
Flashing
Crickets
Skylights
Gutters
HVAC
Vents

Fatal Errors

Missing elements
Clerestory location
Roof planes overlap
Improper roof slopes – use the least
Natural light requirements for rooms without windows
Highest ridge height
Complicated roof – keep it simple
Poor HVAC location (too close to edge of building)
Improper roof elevations – do the math – don’t forget the structure depth and ceiling heights.
Downspout locations
Too much volume – work the slopes to minimize differences between ceiling heights and roof elevations.
Surfaces sloped in wrong directions
Crickets per program.f

Ramp Graphic Vignette

Stair Graphic Vignette

Accessibility

Be a code expert

Stair and Ramp are code problems
- Keep solution simple – orthogonal solution
Look for clues
- Doors – how many are shown
- Don’t minimize exit clearance
- Doors into the space = doors out of the space
Look out for obstacles in layout
Use sketch tools – rectangles – to represent ramps
Consider exiting circulation
Maintain corridor widths throughout
Computer grader looks at residual space
- Make sure it is accessible
Don’t overbuild – provide minimum requirements.
Changes in direction
- Will require 5 foot x 5 foot landings
- Check solution – railing can stick in but not more than 4” or program requirement if different.

– Fatal Errors

Program
Missing elements – railing
Edge of existing slab violated
Design Logic
- More than 1 stair/ramp
- Residual space unusable
- Inefficient solution
  - Correct slope
  - Meet minimum of code
- Unclear circulation

CODE

New doors swing correctly
Riser height/ramp slope
Stair/ramp width too small
Missing railings / guardrails
Extension of railings (per program)
Landings not 5’ x 5’ minimum
Obstructed circulation
Virtual landings (5’ x 5’) at bottom of ramp missing

NOTE: All NCARB graphic vignette software can be found at http://ncarb.org/en/ARE/Preparing-for-the-ARE.aspx

Comments

20 responses to “Building Design and Construction Systems Graphic Vignettes Video Tutorials”

john

July 14, 2012

your videos are EXTREMELY helpful… thanks for posting!
For the Stair Vignette, you have posted ‘Part 2’ twice.
Please repost with Part 1 if you can!
Thanks.

Reply
john

July 21, 2012

Thanks, you rock!!

Reply
Josh Dennis

September 3, 2012

Excellent videos. One comment on the stair video. Everything was drawn on the ground level. Shouldn’t it all be on level 2 otherwise cut stairs are required?

Thanks
Josh

Reply
1. Rejane
  
  September 22, 2013
  
  Josh,
  Did you have any reply on yours? I agree. We have to draw on second floor all of it, then the 1′-9″ small stair,landing and cut stair for the following stair.
  
  Reply
Joe Magnello

June 9, 2013

At the end of program it states if an area of refuge is required need to provide 48″ clear between handrails. I feel this would over rule the 44″ you used. Very helpful video! Thanks

Josh, you can draw on all one level if you choose to.

Reply
mjparker

June 25, 2013

My question is regarding the ramp vignette. Per the CODE section on the directions, the landings are to be: 1) the least dimension shall not be less than the required width of the ramp and 2) the least dimension in the direction of travel shall be 60″.

If that is the case, the minimum ramp dimensions are 44″ wide and 60″ long, correct? And if that is the case the, youtube video by Wiki-Architecture’s ramp tutorial above wouldn’t be a passing solution because both of his ramp landings are less then 60″ in the direction of travel (I think both are just over 4′-0″). Can someone confirm if I am correct with these questions? I feel like the site and the video are giving conflicting information. Thank you.

Reply
1. josh
  
  September 23, 2014
  
  I agree, the video is incorrect and misleading. Ramp landings need to be min. 60″ in direction of travel. ALSO, when a ramp changes direction, the least dimension needs to be min. 60″. This is true for a 90 degree turn, not just a 180 degree turn as stated in the video. So the landing in the bottom corner needs to be at least 60″ x 60″.
  
  Reply
  1. ARE BEE
    
    October 8, 2014
    
    We will make a new ramp video soon. thanks for pointing out the flaws, which in this case would be fatal errors. Thanks for your comment.
    
    Reply
Michael

June 28, 2013

Isn’t your stair vignette too narrow at 44″ as the code requires 48″ clear for stairway width when an area of refuge is required? The code says an area of refuge shall be provided.

Reply
1. ARE BEE
  
  July 1, 2013
  
  From the Video Author:
  
  There is an error on this video that should be noted:
  
  The program states that when an area of refuge is required the minimum clearance between handrails shall be 48″. It is important that you increase the width of the stair to account for this.
  
  Reply
  1. Cass
    
    November 16, 2014
    
    Yes, it is a fatal error. Unfortunately, I used these videos to practice my vignettes and made the same fatal error on my exam. So now studying for the exam a second time, I’ve come back to see what was wrong. I suggest you change this video pronto for those who might not read all the comments.
    
    Reply
    1. ARE BEE
      
      November 16, 2014
      
      Thanks Cass, sorry you have to take BDCS again, most people I know had to take it twice, its tough with 3 vignettes. I have replaced the video with a quick review video.
      
      Reply
mjparker

July 10, 2013

Could someone please look at my earlier question about the ramp vignette landing? I feel conflicted between the Code requirements of the 60″ minimum dimension and the vignette from Wiki-Architect, which indicates the landings are around 4′-0″.

Thanks!

Reply
Rejane

September 22, 2013

Where can we find different examples and is there someone or place where we could have feed backs?

Thanks

Reply
peter

June 19, 2014

1) Stair – Width of stair MUST have 48″ clear. This means that stair width is 52″ min and that is if you align your rail on edge of stair. If you offset then it goes to 54″.

2) Ramp – The landings need to be 60″ by 60″ with the ramps and stairs at 44″. The solution in the video discriminates against a person in a wheelchair since they end up on the opposite side of the room.

Hope this helps, taking my final exam tomorrow after flying to a different island.

Reply
Bob Craig

July 20, 2014

Why not just make the stair widths 5′-0″ and match up with the landings. Is adding a few inches to the minimums a fatal error?
Why not just use 5′-0″ on all ramp and stair widths and not worry about the exact minimums?

Reply
angela hernandez

September 22, 2015

I’ve signed in and the stair vignette does not work. Can you please help?

Reply
1. ARE BEE
  
  September 23, 2015
  
  Hi Angela,
  
  What do you mean it does not work? Where, on NCARB, chrome doesn’t work, use Mozilla. Are you having trouble viewing the images?
  
  Reply
Kelly Hanneman

May 7, 2016

Looks like the stair vignette vidoe is not working. Please fix! when you click on it, it says “this video is private”.

Reply
1. ARE BEE
  
  May 10, 2016
  
  Fixed this, thanks for the feedback! AEA Team.
  
  Reply