Project Planning & Design

About Project Planning & Design

The Project Planning & Design (PPD) exam focuses on the preliminary design of sites and buildings. Our study materials dig into building systems and assemblies, as well as zoning and environmental regulations. We cover how to apply information gathered during the programming & analysis phase, and how to appropriately place a building on a project site. Here’s how NCARB structures the PPD exam:

• Environmental Conditions & Context

  10-16 expected items, 10-16% target percentage

  • Determining location of building and site improvements based on site analysis
  • Determining sustainable principles to apply to design
  • Determining impact of neighborhood context on the project design

• Building Systems, Materials & Assemblies

  19-25 expected items, 19-25% target percentage

  • Determining mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
  • Determining structural systems
  • Determining special systems such as acoustics, communications, lighting, security, conveying, and fire suppression
  • Determining materials and assemblies to meet programmatic, budgetary, and regulatory requirements

• Project Costs & Budgeting

  19-25 expected items, 19-25% target percentage

  • Evaluating design alternatives based on the program
  • Performing cost evaluation
  • Evaluating cost considerations during the design process

• Codes & Regulations

  16-22 expected items, 16-22% target percentage

  • Applying zoning and environmental regulations to site and building design
  • Applying building codes to building design
  • Integrating multiple codes to a project design

• Project Integration of Programs & Systems

  32-38 expected items, 32-38% target percentage

  • Determining building configuration
  • Integrating building systems in the project design
  • Integrating program requirements into a project design
  • Integrating environmental and contextual conditions in the project design

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