The Problem

Do you know where your architect is? Of course you do. It is common is for project teams to be located all over the world. What is uncommon is for the architectural team members to be geographically dispersed. It is also uncommon that the project team..

As projects approach the date designated as "Issue for Construction (IFC)," design teams begin planning what portions of the design will be completed in a bulletin. The level of effort needed to complete the documents is usually underestimated,..

Saving time is great. Improving firm profitability may mean a promotion. Is it worth a try?

Over the years there has been a lot of talk and writing, including by me, about fixing the things wrong with the construction industry.  Budget and schedule busts, bad workmanship, and designs that don’t respond to owner requirements are some common..

I am going to state the obvious, and say what you already know - we are living in a crisis.  Every person has entered into or is preparing to enter into survival mode, from how they purchase groceries, to how they pay mortgage/rent and other bills, to..

The primary requirement written into architectural practice acts for most U.S. states is that architects are licensed only for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare (HSW).  In Illinois where I am a licensed architect, these..

New and Different

The industry is changing. The emerging revolution is that licensed architects and engineers owe a fiduciary duty to owners. This change will have dramatic effect on communications and documentation between design teams (including..

In his blog post last week, David Stutzman presented several examples illustrating ways in which architects fail in their fiduciary duty to owners, typically through covert advocacy and through not obtaining the owner's informed consent for material..

Last week, my colleague Marlon Hollis wrote eloquently about his meandering path from military aviation and law school into construction specifying, and the benefits of bringing a fresh perspective to the work. My own path to specifying might seem more..