CIDQ Updated IDPX Exam Questions and Answers by karina

The NCIDQ IDPX exam tests the designer’s knowledge of BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) standards for calculating usable area in multi-tenant buildings. Usable area is the space a tenant can actually occupy, excluding common areas that serve the entire floor.

BOMA Standards Overview:According to the BOMA Office Standard (ANSI/BOMA Z65.1-2017), usable area is measured from the finished surface of the tenant side of demising partitions, excluding common areas such as elevator lobbies, electrical/telephone rooms, washrooms, and stairwells that serve all tenants.

Analysis of the Floor Plan (from previous context):The floor plan includes Tenant 1, Tenant 2, Elevator Lobby 3, Electrical/Telephone 5, washrooms, and stairwells.

Tenant 1 and Tenant 2:These are the primary tenant spaces, which are consideredusable areas for the respective tenants.

Elevator Lobby 3:This is a common area serving all tenants, so it is not included in the usable area of any specific tenant.

Electrical/Telephone 5:This is a shared utility space for the building, also excluded from the usable area.

Washrooms and Stairwells:These are common areas and are not part of the usable area.

Option A (Tenant 1 and Tenant 2):This is the correct choice. The usable area includes only the spaces within Tenant 1 and Tenant 2, as these are the occupiable areas for the tenants, excluding all common areas.

Option B (Tenant 1, Tenant 2, and Elevator Lobby 3):The elevator lobby is a common area and should not be included in the usable area of any tenant.

Option C (Tenant 1, Tenant 2, and Electrical/Telephone 5):The electrical/telephone room is a common utility space and is excluded from the usable area.

Option D (Tenant 1, Tenant 2, Electrical/Telephone 5, and Elevator Lobby 3):Both the electrical/telephone room and elevator lobby are common areas and should not be included in the usable area.

Verified Answer from Official Source:

The correct answer is verified from the BOMA Office Standard, as referenced in NCIDQ IDPX study materials.

“Usable area is the occupiable space within a tenant’s demised premises, excluding common areas such as elevator lobbies, electrical/telephone rooms, washrooms, and stairwells that serve the entire floor.” (ANSI/BOMA Z65.1-2017, Office Buildings: Standard Methods of Measurement, Section on Usable Area)

The BOMA Office Standard defines usable area as the space within the tenant’s demised premises, excluding common areas like elevator lobbies and electrical/telephone rooms. Option A correctly identifies Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 as the usable areas, excluding all common spaces.

Objectives:

Understand BOMA standards for space measurement (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Professional Practice).

Apply space calculation methods to multi-tenant buildings (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Project Planning).

The NCIDQ IDPX exam tests the designer’s understanding of stakeholder roles in the design process, particularly regarding the specification of materials and finishes. Maintenance adherence refers to ensuring that the selected materials can be properly maintained over time to meet the client’s operational needs.

Option A (Tenant):The tenant (e.g., the end user leasing the space) may provide input on preferences or functional needs, but they are not typically responsible for maintenance or knowledgeable about long-term care requirements. They are not the best party to consult for maintenance adherence.

Option B (Facility manager):This is the correct choice. The facility manager is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the building after occupancy. Consulting with the facility manager ensures that the specified materials and finishes (e.g., flooring, wallcoverings) are durable, cleanable, and compatible with the client’s maintenance capabilities and budget.

Option C (General contractor):The general contractor is responsible for construction and installation, not long-term maintenance. While they may provide input on installation feasibility, they are not the appropriate party to consult for maintenance adherence.

Correction of Typographical Error:

The original question lists only three options (A, B, C), but the NCIDQ format typically includes four options (A, B, C, D). The missing Option D does not affect the answer, as Option B is clearly the correct choice based on the given options. For completeness, a potential Option D might be something like “Interior designer,” which would be incorrect, as the designer is the one specifying the materials and needs to consult another party (the facility manager) for maintenance expertise.

Verified Answer from Official Source:

The correct answer is verified from NCIDQ’s official study materials on material specification and stakeholder coordination.

“When specifying materials and finishes, the designer should consult the facility manager to ensure the selections align with the client’s maintenance capabilities and long-term operational needs.” (NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide, Materials and Finishes Section)

The NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide specifies that the facility manager is the key stakeholder to consult for maintenance adherence, as they have expertise in the building’s operational requirements. This ensures that the specified materials are practical for long-term care, making Option B the correct answer.

Objectives:

Understand stakeholder roles in material specification (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Materials and Finishes).

Apply coordination practices to ensure maintenance feasibility (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Design Development).

The NCIDQ IDPX exam tests the designer’s ability to select appropriate fee structures based on the project scope and complexity. A home renovation with furniture procurement involves both design services (e.g., space planning, detailing) and procurement services (e.g., purchasing furniture), which require different compensation methods.

Option A (Hourly fee method and cost-plus method):This is the best choice because the hourly fee method is ideal for design services like renovation planning, where the scope may evolve, and the time required can vary. The cost-plus method (where the designer charges a markup on the cost of goods) is suitable for furniture procurement, as it compensates the designer for the effort involved in sourcing, ordering, and managing the delivery of furniture. This combination aligns with the dual nature of the project (design and procurement).

Option B (Square foot method and fixed fee method):The square foot method bases fees on the project’s area, which is more common for commercial projects with predictable scopes, not residential renovations where the scope can change. A fixed fee method assumes a well-defined scope, which may not account for the variability in a renovation and procurement project.

Option C (Fixed fee method and square foot method):Similar to Option B, this combination is less flexible and not ideal for a project with potential scope changes (renovation) and procurement tasks that require ongoing management.

Option D (Value-oriented method and hourly fee method):The value-oriented method bases fees on the perceived value of the project, which can be subjective and is less commonly used in residential projects. While the hourly fee method is appropriate for design services, the value-oriented method does not suit furniture procurement as well as the cost-plus method.

Verified Answer from Official Source:

The correct answer is verified from NCIDQ’s official study materials on professional practice and fee structures.

“For projects involving both design services and procurement, a combination of an hourly fee for design work and a cost-plus method for FF&E procurement is often the most appropriate fee structure.” (NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide, Professional Practice Section)

The NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide recommends using an hourly fee for design services, which allows flexibility for the variable scope of a home renovation, and a cost-plus method for procurement,which compensates the designer for the time and effort involved in furniture purchasing. This makes Option A the best choice for this project.

Objectives:

Understand appropriate fee structures for different project types (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Professional Practice).

Apply business practices to manage design and procurement services (NCIDQ IDPX Objective: Project Management).

Swing space is temporary space where employees relocate during a phased remodel, allowing work to continue while their permanent area is renovated. Staging (B) refers to material storage, not occupant space. Hoteling (C) is flexible, bookable workspace, not relocation-specific. Pre-move (D) isn’t a defined term. Swing (A) is the industry-standard term for such temporary accommodations, ensuring operational continuity.

Verified Answer from Official Source:A - swing

"Swing space is used to temporarily relocate employees during a phased remodel to maintainbusiness operations." (NCIDQ IDPX Study Guide, Section 2: Project Coordination)

Explanation from Official Source:The NCIDQ defines swing space as a strategic solution for phased projects, minimizing disruption during construction.

Objectives:

Plan for phased construction (IDPX Objective 2.1).