In my recent post, When Specifiers Engage in Magical Thinking, I described what happens when aspecifier believes that putting more instructions into a specification willmake for a better outcome. Never mindwhether or not those instructions were..
Magical Thinking in Specifications - Part 2
by Elias Saltz | May 20, 2019 | Bad Specs, Drawings, Professional Practice, Architecture, Specifications
When a Specifier Engages in Magical Thinking
by Elias Saltz | May 13, 2019 | Bad Specs, Delegated Design, Professional Practice, Specifications
One of the hallmarks of magical thinking is the notion that if you think a thing, you can make it happen, simply by thinking it. This is often reinforced by our tendency to see connections between events and our propensity to interpret those..
Complications of Sustainability Requirements
by David Stutzman | Dec 18, 2018 | Bad Specs, Division 01, EPD, LEED, Professional Practice, Quality Assurance, Specifications, submittals, Sustainable Design
What could possibly go wrong?
Preventing Construction Failures
by Elias Saltz | Apr 12, 2018 | Bad Specs, Code Requirements, Construction, Design Considerations, failures, Product Failures, Specifications
Looking at the recent history of construction, we find that it is littered with a spectrum of failures, from minor cosmetic types up to and including those that are truly catastrophic. The former may include mere annoyances - cracked finishes and the..
It's Just a Spec
by David Stutzman | Jul 14, 2014 | Bad Specs, bidding, contract documents, Professional Practice, Quality Assurance, Spec language, Specifications, specifying
Yes it is a spec, and it deserves attention - the proper attention to be certain the contractor delivers what is required by the contract. The design team created the drawings and specifications defining the project to meet the owner's requirements and..
Specifier Scope Search Identifies Risks
by David Stutzman | Jun 30, 2014 | B2010, Bad Specs, Cladding, Curtain Wall, Design Considerations, Division 07, Division 08, Envelope, Glazing, performance, Quality Assurance, Specifications
We were asked to submit a proposal, and ultimately were engaged, to provide architectural specifications services for a new seven story core and shell medical office building. The architect had already employed an exterior wall consultant to help with..
Minutes are Minutes and Not Addenda
by David Stutzman | Sep 9, 2013 | Addenda, Addendum, AIA, Bad Specs, bidding, Bidding Documents, Construction Administration, contract documents, CSI, invitation to bid, Meeting Minutes, Professional Practice, Specifications
The bidders are required to attend a pre-bid meeting. The owner, the design team, and (presumably) all the bidders attend. Each meeting follows essentially the same agenda.
SPECtember - Value Certified Construction Specifiers
by David Stutzman | Sep 2, 2013 | agreement, AIA, Bad Specs, bidding, CCS, CDT, Certified Construction Specifier, CONSTRUCT, Construction Administration, Contract, contract documents, CSI, Division 00, Drawings, General Conditions, General contractor, Order of precedence, Professional Practice, Project Manual, Quality Assurance, Specifications, Specifier, SPECtember
This month the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) will hold its annual convention and the Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP) will hold its annual meeting, both in conjunction with CONSTRUCT, an annual educational seminar..
Where Is the Right Place?
by David Stutzman | Feb 20, 2012 | AIA, Bad Specs, contract documents, CSI, Division 00, Division 11, EJCDC, General Conditions, Professional Practice, Specifications
Be careful! Often project specifications are not written by one individual. The final project manual may have contributions by the architect, specifier, engineers (usually plural), and specialty consultants. Coordination problems must be eliminated..
Order of Precedence or Interpretation Request
by David Stutzman | Jan 28, 2012 | Bad Specs, change order, Construction Administration, Consultant, Order of precedence, Professional Practice, RFI, Architect, Specifications
Consultant specifications delivered to architects for inclusion in project manuals can produce some interesting coordination issues, especially when there is no time to make corrections before the scheduled publication.