First published at Young Architects Forum Connection 16.01.
Evolving Specifications 2018
by David Stutzman | Jun 18, 2018 | MasterFormat, outline spec, PPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Specifications, UniFormat
Linking BIM and Specs Through PPDs
by David Stutzman | Sep 16, 2013 | BIM, CSI, MasterFormat, outline spec, Outline Specs, PPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Revit, Specifications, UniFormat
Technology provides a means to connect data. Standards provide the organizations that make the data connections meaningful.
Specifications Formats & Processes
by David Stutzman | Aug 12, 2013 | AIA, contract documents, CSI, MasterFormat, outline spec, Outline Specs, PageFormat, PPD, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, AIA B101, Architect, SectionFormat, Specifications
Construction specifications contain data, lots of data. These data must be easily found by the hundreds of individuals involved in any construction project - not just the architect and contractor, but the subcontractors, materials distributors,..
Specification Work Flow
by David Stutzman | Jul 15, 2013 | Computing, Construction Administration, Construction Documents, Design Development, Master Specifications, outline spec, Outline Specs, PPD, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Quality Assurance, Schematic Design, Automation, Specifications, word processing
It's linear - just like design! Start at the beginning and finish at the end. Straight line. No sidesteps. No circling back. No changed minds. Smooth sailing start to finish.
Who Controls Project Schedules?
by David Stutzman | Jun 17, 2013 | Division 01, outline spec, Outline Specs, Professional Practice, Progress Documents, Schedules, Schematic Design, Architect, Specifications, Work Plan
As a consultant to architects, primarily, we must react to schedules set by someone else. It may be the owner, architect, construction manager, or contractor. We never have any say in the project schedule, but are responsible for meeting all the..
Building Design and Documentation Are Iterative
by David Stutzman | Feb 11, 2013 | CSI, Design Development, outline spec, Outline Specs, PPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Schematic Design, AIA CES, Specifications, UniFormat
Building design starts with a concept, a sketch at a macro scale. At the first stroke of the designer's hand, there is no concern for concrete strength, nor concrete as a building material. The initial sketch may be a simple massing study to determine..
Are Outline Specs Necessary?
by David Stutzman | Jan 7, 2013 | AIA, CSI, Design Development, Estimate, Guide Spec, outline spec, Outline Specs, PPD, Professional Practice, Schematic Design, Specifications
A very good question. By searches on this blog, it is one question that definitely wants to be answered. Something must be necessary, but is it really an outline specification?
Multipurpose Design Documents
by David Stutzman | Oct 15, 2012 | agreement, AIA, contract documents, CSI, Design, Design Considerations, Drawings, outline spec, Outline Specs, Specifications, SpecText
What documents are architects obligated to produce? The obvious answer may be drawings, of course, to show what design must be constructed. Under AIA Owner-Architect Agreement documents, in addition to drawings, the architect must produce outline..
Self-Inflicted Budget Difficulties
by David Stutzman | Oct 6, 2011 | bidding, Budget, outline spec, Outline Specs, Professional Practice, Specifications
I received the specification shown below from a friend, an independent manufacturer's representative today. Yes this is the total expansion control spec. And a Construction Manager is soliciting budgets from subcontractors and materials suppliers for the..
PPD: Deliverable Document and Powerful Design Tool
by David Stutzman | Jun 7, 2010 | CSI, outline spec, PPD, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Specifying Practice Group, Task Team
What do you use to describe your design projects? Will owners, lenders, estimators and others understand the design intent? Traditional methods rely on design narratives and outline specs to supplement drawings. Each design team develops their own method..