Architect Exam Podcast

Michael Riscica
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Free, high-value ARE prep broken into digestible episodes that make studying accessible and actually enjoyable. We translate complex exam content into clear, actionable strategies based directly on NCARB's objectives—not complicated study approaches that miss the mark. Young Architect has guided thousands to licensure since 2013 by simplifying ARE prep to what truly matters and keeping it fresh. Subscribe for practical ARE insights delivered in a format that fits your busy life.

  1. 062 - Fire Sprinkler Systems: Wet, Dry, Pre-Action, Deluge

    2 HR AGO

    062 - Fire Sprinkler Systems: Wet, Dry, Pre-Action, Deluge

    Fire sprinkler systems explained: wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge. Learn when to use each one and how to choose the right system. Architects don't design fire sprinkler systems, but you make dozens of decisions that directly affect how they get designed, installed, and coordinated. This episode breaks down all four types of fire sprinkler systems, explains what makes each one different, and gives you a simple decision framework for choosing the right system based on occupancy, climate, and what's inside the space. We cover how wet pipe sprinkler systems work as your default starting point, when to switch to a dry pipe sprinkler system for freezing conditions, why pre-action sprinkler systems exist for museums and data centers, and when a deluge sprinkler system is the only option. We also get into the design coordination that lands on your drawings, including fire department connections, riser rooms, ceiling coordination, and sprinkler head types. This topic crosses PA, PPD, and PDD on the ARE, and understanding the decision framework will help you answer any fire sprinkler question the exam throws at you. 📝 Key topics covered: Wet pipe sprinkler system: how it works and where to use it Dry pipe sprinkler system: solving the freezing problem Pre-action sprinkler system: protecting sensitive contents Deluge sprinkler system: high-hazard flood response Fire department connection (FDC) placement and coordination Fire sprinkler head types: pendant, upright, sidewall, concealed Sprinkler system decision framework for the ARE Mixed systems in a single building NFPA 13 and the architect's coordination role Common sprinkler system mistakes on the exam ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (2:56) Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems (5:26) Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems (8:10) Pre-Action Sprinkler Systems (11:22) Deluge Sprinkler Systems (13:14) Choosing the Right System (15:48) Design Coordination (18:19) Quick-Fire Scenarios (20:03) Common Mistakes (21:16) Wrap Up 📖 Read the full blog post 📝 Download the FREE 2-page fire sprinkler systems study guide 🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership 🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp 📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses: PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs) Building Codes 101 PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) Mechanical Systems 101 CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist) CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration) PcM 101 (Practice Management) PjM 101 (Project Management) AIA Contracts 101

    24 min
  2. 061 - Owner's Consultants: Know Where Your Liability Ends

    13 APR

    061 - Owner's Consultants: Know Where Your Liability Ends

    Owner's consultants vs architect's consultants: know the difference before the ARE tests you on it. In this episode, we break down who hires who on a construction project, where the liability falls, and why getting this wrong can cost you your career. Every project has two teams of consultants. The architect's team designs what's going to be there. The owner's consultants deal with what's already there, the land, the soil, the surveys, the environmental hazards. That distinction sounds simple, but the liability implications run deep. We break down the existing versus proposed framework, the hard rules about never hiring a geotechnical engineer or surveyor as the architect, and the difference between basic coordination and supplemental coordination services. We also cover why "coordinate" and "manage" mean very different things in contract language, and how AIA B101 handles reasonable reliance on owner-provided information. 📝 Key Topics Covered: Owner's consultants vs architect's consultants The existing vs proposed framework for identifying consultant responsibility Why architects should never hire the geotech, surveyor, or hazmat consultant Basic coordination vs supplemental coordination The coordinate vs manage vocabulary distinction AIA B101 reasonable reliance on owner-provided information Professional liability insurance exclusions for ground conditions How this shows up on PcM, PjM, and CE exams ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (2:47) Two Types of Consultants (17:24) Owner's Responsibility for Existing Conditions (20:33) How This Shows Up on the Exam (22:41) Wrap-Up 📖 Read the full blog post and show notes: Owner's Consultants: Know Where Your Liability Ends 📝 Download the free study notes: Free Owner's Consultants Study Notes 🎯 ARE Boot Camp (10-Week Coaching Program) 🎯 ARE 101 Membership (All ARE Study Materials) 📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses: AIA Contracts 101 PcM 101 (Practice Management) PjM 101 (Project Management) CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs) Building Codes 101 Mechanical Systems 101 CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist) CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

    25 min
  3. 060 - How to Become an Architect: What You Need to Know

    6 APR

    060 - How to Become an Architect: What You Need to Know

    How to become an architect in the US comes down to four steps: education, experience, exams, and fees. In this episode, Michael Riscica breaks down the full path to getting your architecture license, from choosing the right degree to passing all six ARE exams. Most people think architects sit at a drafting table sketching buildings all day. The reality is that design is maybe five to ten percent of the job. The rest is construction documents, code reviews, cost estimates, project management, and client meetings. We start with what architects actually do on a daily basis, then get into how long the whole process takes. We cover why architecture is a regulated profession, why not everyone who studies architecture needs to become licensed, and then walk through each of the four licensing steps in detail. 📝 Key topics covered: What architects actually do every day How long it takes to become a licensed architect Why you cannot legally call yourself an architect without a license The four requirements: education, experience, exams, and fees Why architecture degrees open doors beyond licensure The ARE exam process and what to expect ⏱️ Chapters:  (0:00) Introduction (2:00) What Architects Actually Do (4:09) Is It Hard to Become an Architect (5:54) How Long Does It Take (10:41) Architecture Is a Regulated Profession (13:57) Architecture Is Bigger Than Buildings (16:34) 4 Steps to Getting Licensed (18:46) Wrap Up 📖 Read the full blog post: How to Become an Architect 📝 Download the FREE 2-page Podcast Notes: YoungArchitect.com/Architect 🎯 Get access to all our ARE Study Materials with the ARE 101 Membership 🎯 Join the ARE Boot Camp - Our 10-week coaching program with ongoing support until you pass all your exams. 📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses: PcM 101 (Practice Management) PjM 101 (Project Management) CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) PDD 101 (Project Development and Documentation) Building Codes 101 Mechanical Systems 101 AIA Contracts 101

    20 min
  4. 059 - PA, PPD, and PDD: Know the Difference Before You Study

    23 MAR

    059 - PA, PPD, and PDD: Know the Difference Before You Study

    PA, PPD, and PDD share the same topics but test them from completely different perspectives. Understanding the difference between these three technical ARE exams before you start studying will save you serious time and frustration. In this episode, Layla breaks down what each exam actually covers, how they connect to each other, and why so many candidates study the wrong things for the wrong test.  She walks through the "Define It, Design It, Document It" framework that shows how PA, PPD, and PDD follow the natural progression of a building project from pre-design through construction documents. Plus study strategies for the technical exams and a homework assignment to help you take this deeper. 📖 Key Topics Covered: Why candidates confuse PA, PPD, and PDD content The "Define It, Design It, Document It" framework How PA covers the pre-design and programming phase How PPD covers schematic design and system selection How PDD covers detailing, documentation, and specifications Where codes, site, and building systems overlap across all three The wall assembly test for sorting topics by exam Study strategies including exam sequencing and when to move on from PA ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (4:16) Why These Exams Are So Confusing (5:47) The Flip the Words Trick (7:01) One Project Three Phases (8:39) PA Programming and Analysis (11:44) PPD Project Planning and Design (13:59) PDD Project Development and Documentation (16:32) How They Flow Together (19:21) Study Strategy for the Technical Exams (22:55) Homework Assignment (24:05) Wrap Up 📝 Read the full blog post and grab free study notes: PA, PPD, and PDD: Know the Difference Before You Study 🎯 Download free study notes and the open book homework assignment: Free Study Notes and Homework 🎧 Companion episode: PcM, PjM, and CE: Know the Difference Before You Study 📚 ARE Boot Camp (10-week coaching program) 📚 ARE 101 Membership (all ARE study materials) 📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses: PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) PDD 101 (Project Development and Documentation) Building Codes 101 Mechanical Systems 101 PcM 101 (Practice Management) PjM 101 (Project Management) CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) AIA Contracts 101

    26 min
  5. 058 - Division 01 General Requirements: Running Your Project

    16 MAR

    058 - Division 01 General Requirements: Running Your Project

    Division 01 General Requirements is the most skipped section in the project manual. Here's what's actually inside and why every division depends on it. Division 01 is the rulebook that governs every trade on a construction project, and almost nobody reads it. We start by clearing up the number one confusion in specifications: the difference between General Conditions and General Requirements. They're both Contract Documents, but they do very different things. Then we walk through every major section from Summary (01 10 00) to Commissioning (01 91 00). Whether you're studying for the ARE, preparing for the CDT or CCCA, or just trying to write better specs, this episode gives you the full picture of why Division 01 is the global settings for your entire project. 📝 Key topics covered: General conditions vs general requirements: rights vs rules Price and payment procedures vs the actual agreement Submittal processes and administrative requirements Quality requirements, testing, and who pays for what Substitution procedures during bidding vs construction Execution, closeout, and commissioning in construction ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:22) Free Study Notes (2:20) What Are General Requirements? (4:38) General Conditions vs General Requirements (8:41) What's Inside Division 01? (18:56) Why Division 01 Matters (20:55) Wrap Up 📖 Read the full blog post 📝 Download the FREE 2-page Division 01 study guide 🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership 🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp 📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses: PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs) CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist) CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration) CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) PjM 101 (Project Management) PcM 101 (Practice Management) PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) Building Codes 101 Mechanical Systems 101 AIA Contracts 101

    23 min
  6. 057 - Plumbing Valves: Every Type You Need to Know

    9 MAR

    057 - Plumbing Valves: Every Type You Need to Know

    Plumbing valves explained - every type you need to know for the ARE exam and real-world practice. This episode covers gate valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, globe valves, check valves, backflow preventers, PRVs, pressure relief valves, angle valves, and float valves, organized by function so you understand what each one does. We break down the four categories every plumbing valve falls into: stop valves, regulating valves, one-way valves, and specialty valves. Each valve gets its own custom diagram showing how it works open and closed, plus a simple analogy to make it stick. Visit youngarchitect.com/valves to see all the diagrams and grab free study notes. 📝 Key topics covered: - Gate valve vs ball valve and when to use each - Butterfly valves for large-diameter piping - Globe valves and angle valves for flow control - Check valves vs backflow preventers - Pressure reducing valve (PRV) vs pressure relief valve - Float valves for automatic water level control - How plumbing valves appear on the PPD and PDD exams ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:54 - Stop Valves 2:11 - Gate Valve 3:08 - Ball Valve 3:45 - Butterfly Valve 6:00 - Regulating Valves 6:35 - Globe Valve 7:37 - Angle Valve 8:31 - Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) 9:53 - One-Way Valves 10:24 - Check Valve 11:01 - Backflow Preventer 12:31 - Specialty Valves 13:01 - Pressure Relief Valve 14:01 - Float Valve 14:51 - Come Study With Us 15:48 - ARE Study Tip 📖 Full Blog Post With Valve Diagrams: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/plumbing-valves/     📝 Free Plumbing Valves Study Notes: https://youngarchitect.com/valves    🎯 ARE Boot Camp - 10-week coaching program: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/    📚 ARE 101 Membership - All ARE study materials: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/    Individual Courses: PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design): https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-planning-and-design/    PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs): https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-development-and-documentation/    Mechanical Systems 101: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-mechanical-systems-101/    Building Codes 101: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-building-codes-101/    CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist): https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/cdt-exam-prep/   CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration): https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/ccca-exam-prep/    PcM 101 (Practice Management): https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-practice-management/    PjM 101 (Project Management): https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-management/    CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation): https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-construction-and-evaluation/    PA 101 (Programming and Analysis): https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/programming-analysis-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/    AIA Contracts 101: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-aia-contracts-101/

    18 min
  7. 056 - Building Acoustics: How Sound Actually Works in Buildings

    2 MAR

    056 - Building Acoustics: How Sound Actually Works in Buildings

    Building acoustics explained: STC, IIC, and NRC are the three rating systems every architect needs to know. This episode breaks down how sound actually works in buildings and what each rating measures. STC rates how well walls and floors block airborne sound. IIC rates how well floor assemblies block impact sounds. NRC measures how much sound a material absorbs within a room. We explain why a material can be great at absorbing sound but terrible at blocking it. You'll also learn why the IBC requires both STC 50 and IIC 50 between dwelling units, how to upgrade a basic wall assembly step by step, and the flanking paths and spec mistakes that compromise acoustic performance. 📝 Key topics covered: STC ratings: blocking airborne sound through walls IIC ratings: blocking impact sound through floors NRC ratings: absorbing sound within a room IBC Section 1207 requirements for dwelling units Wall assembly upgrades: mass, insulation, decoupling, and sealing Flanking paths and common acoustic spec mistakes ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:28) Free Study Guide (2:34) Why Sound Matters in Buildings (4:17) Decibels: Measuring Loudness (6:58) Hertz: Measuring Pitch (8:17) STC: Sound Transmission Class (16:07) IIC: Impact Insulation Class (20:34) NRC: Noise Reduction Coefficient (24:09) Bringing It All Together (26:31) Practical Tips and Scenarios (29:33) Acoustics Recap 📖 Read the full blog post 📝 Download the FREE 2-page Building Acoustics study guide 🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership 🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp 📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses: PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs) Building Codes 101 Mechanical Systems 101 CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) PcM 101 (Practice Management) PjM 101 (Project Management) PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) AIA Contracts 101

    32 min
  8. 055 - Control Joint vs Expansion Joint: Where the Cracks At?

    23 FEB

    055 - Control Joint vs Expansion Joint: Where the Cracks At?

    Control joint vs expansion joint is one of those topics that trips people up because the terms sound so similar. This episode breaks down all four joint types you need to know for the ARE and the job site. We cover expansion joints, control joints, isolation joints, and construction joints. For each one, we explain what it does, where you'll see it in real construction, and how to remember the difference on exam day. We also give you the rebar test for telling isolation and construction joints apart, plus clear analogies so you're not just memorizing definitions. 📝 Key topics covered: Expansion joints and how they allow material movement Control joints and why you plan for cracks instead of preventing them Isolation joints and when complete separation is required Construction joints and how they relate to the work schedule The rebar test for telling isolation and construction joints apart Which ARE 5.0 divisions test each joint type ⏱️ Chapters: (0:00) Introduction (1:56) Free Study Guide (2:51) Expansion Joints (13:44) Isolation Joints (18:16) Control Joints (19:03) Construction Joints (24:13) Recapping Our Joints (27:35) Wrap Up 📖 Read the full blog post 📝 Download the FREE Joint Types study guide 🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership 🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp 📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses: PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design) PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs) CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation) PA 101 (Programming and Analysis) Building Codes 101 PcM 101 (Practice Management) PjM 101 (Project Management) Mechanical Systems 101 AIA Contracts 101

    29 min
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About

Free, high-value ARE prep broken into digestible episodes that make studying accessible and actually enjoyable. We translate complex exam content into clear, actionable strategies based directly on NCARB's objectives—not complicated study approaches that miss the mark. Young Architect has guided thousands to licensure since 2013 by simplifying ARE prep to what truly matters and keeping it fresh. Subscribe for practical ARE insights delivered in a format that fits your busy life.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Riscica
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2025
  • Show Website
    Architect Exam Podcast

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