It's a process, not just technical requirements. During design-assist, the architect of record, asks the contractor (usually a specialty subcontractor) to help develop system details and confirm system performance to meet project requirements. Typically..

Exterior Walls: so many components, so many materials - will the result really meet the code? NFPA 285 may govern and may limit available choices, so know what triggers the need to comply before the final wall assembly is designed.

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..

Laminated glass construction is simple - glue two or more panes of glass together to form a composite single pane. Wait, nothing is ever that simple. What can be used as the glue? What benefits and limitations do the glues have? What considerations might..

Product selection for construction projects is all about finding the right product at the right price to satisfy the owner's project requirements. Wading through all the choices and the product data can be daunting. Often designers (and specifiers)..

A program at the Philadelphia AIA Design on the Delaware annual conference last week, discussed the legal aspects of green building. The panelists used an outlandish hypothetical case to explore where the design pitfalls may lie. Issues ignored by the..

Just because a manufacturer offers a warranty, are you certain the specifications should require the warranty? There are many factors to consider that affect the Owner's rights and remedies for correcting work completed under a construction contract...