David Stutzman: February 2010 Archives

Conspectus wishes to congratulate our client, WATG, and the entire project team for achieving LEED Platinum Certification for the Bardessono Inn and Spa in Yountville, California.  Bardessono is one of only two hotels in the world to achieve LEED Platinum, issued by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), recognizing the highest level in sustainable design.  We are proud to have written the architectural specifications to document the sustainable design requirements to help ensure the project would meet the intended goal. 

This award marks the ultimate achievement under the LEED certification program and recognizes the design team, contractor, and owner's commitment to sustainable design.  Conspectus is proud to to support sustainable design and has written specifications for more than 120 projects designed to LEED certification requirements since 2001.

See WATG's full press release and project photos at:
http://www.watg.com/?pageID=B3B0D546-1372-6883-16EB8BC5754BF736

WATG is an internationally recognized, full service, architectural design firm specializing in luxury destination resorts, world-wide. Conspectus is a specifications and quality assurance consulting firm providing services to architects, engineers, and building owners throughout the United States. Conspectus has enjoyed working with WATG since 2000, contributing to their success and creating environmentally responsive architecture.

Successful floor finish installations depend on a proper concrete substrate. What are the key factors for achieving the desired appearance and performance of the finished floor? This month's article discusses the standards which govern surface preparation and moisture testing of concrete slabs.

 

Visit our website at http://www.conspectusinc.com/publications.htm to view or download B2030‑Concrete Floor Prep & Test 10.02.01. Each Tech Tips file is titled using the UniFormat system and assembly designation to facilitate filing and future reference.

Today CSI's Specifying Practice Group discussed "What Can You Expect of a Specifier?" As an independent specifier, I presented the specifier's point of view and then opened the meeting for other opinions. The group was not bashful, thankfully, otherwise, the meeting would have been only half the planned time. The interaction during the practice group discussions is enlightening. Learning what others think and the questions raised reminds me of a typical CSI chapter meeting, except the electronic media allows much greater and broader participation.

 

Here is the synopsis. Yes, specifiers write project manuals, perform technical research and advise on product selections. But there is more. Specifiers keep the technical corporate memory, comment on drawing details, coordinate drawings and specifications, and advise designers of dangers in owner front end documents, among other things. The group added their own thoughts about the specifier's role:

 

•           Read the designer's mind

•           Comment candidly on the drawings and specs

•           Interject reality into the design process

•           Offer ideas for project approaches

 

And my personal favorite: "Educate the design team." Everything we do as architects, engineers, builders, suppliers, owners and others involved in construction must attempt to educate the team in the process. Otherwise we will be compelled to reinvent what has already been shown to work or repeat what has already been shown to fail. Neither condition benefits the industry, nor the individual.

 

For the official notes of the meeting, visit the CSI Blog at http://blog.csinet.org.

 

Mark your calendar for the first Thursday of each month. Join the Discussion. This Group is not just for specifiers. Anyone with an interest is welcome to attend and participate. Register as part of the group at http://bit.ly/8ZdfJK. Once registered, you will receive notices of future meetings.

 

Here is the presentation that highlights the discussion and records the group's own ideas about the specifier's role. Scroll through using the arrow button below and share your comments here.