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..
Interpreting "Health, Safety, and Welfare"
by Elias Saltz | Jan 15, 2019 | code, Code Requirements, Fiduciary Duty, licensing, Professional Practice, Architect
What Is Conspectus's Approach to Fiduciary Duty?
by David Stutzman | Nov 13, 2018 | contract documents, Design, Fiduciary Duty, Architect, Specifications
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..
Fiduciary Duty for Design Professionals - an Introduction
by Elias Saltz | Oct 15, 2018 | Fiduciary Duty, Professional Practice, Architect, Specifications
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..
A Traditional but Not-So-Smooth Path Into Specifications
by Elias Saltz | May 22, 2018 | Education, Professional Practice, Architect, Specifications, specifying
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..
Architecture Degree - What is it good for?
by Elias Saltz | May 10, 2018 | AIA, Design, Education, Professional Practice, Architect, Specifications, Specifier, specifying
A Twitter discussion broke out recently after Paul Gerber posted this tweet in response to AIA tweeting a November, 2016 article by Ariana Zilliacus on ArchDaily entitled, "21 Careers You Can Pursue With a Degree in Architecture."
PPDs Can Enhance Renderings' Utility
by Elias Saltz | Mar 20, 2018 | BIM, Drawings, PPD, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Architect, Specifications
Image courtesy FXCollaborative Architects LLP
Aren't Specs Contract Documents?
by David Stutzman | Jun 8, 2015 | Budget, contract documents, Drawings, Professional Practice, Quality Assurance, Architect, Specifications
What statements below do you believe to be true?
Collaboration for a Better Tomorrow
by David Stutzman | Apr 28, 2014 | Contractor, Owner, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Product Rep, Professional Practice, Architect, Specifications, Specifier, subcontractor, Supplier
Design and construction projects require an enormous number of participants to complete each facility. The basic teams include owners, architects, contractors, and suppliers. The lines of communication are well defined, especially after the construction..
Estimates of the Cost of Work
by David Stutzman | Apr 21, 2014 | AIA, bidding, BIM, CSI, Estimate, PPD, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Revit, RS Means, AIA B101, Architect, UniFormat
When is the architect required to prepare an estimate of the Cost of Work according to AIA Document B101 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect?
Who is the Specifications Beneficiary?
by David Stutzman | Mar 10, 2014 | contract documents, Professional Practice, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Architect, Specifications, Specifier
Specifications are technical documents - part of a construction contract - describing contracting requirements. Is there really a beneficiary to such a legal document?
