When starting a new design project, what is actually known? Very little. The relevant design decisions must be made as the project progresses. So how can projects be effectively documented before all decisions are made? UniFormat™!
UniFormat is a Design Decision Tool
by David Stutzman | Dec 4, 2018 | MasterFormat, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Specifications, UniFormat
Evolving Specifications
by David Stutzman | Jun 18, 2018 | MasterFormat, outline spec, PPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Specifications, UniFormat
First published at Young Architects Forum Connection 16.01.
Connection: BIM, Spec, Estimate
by David Stutzman | Dec 1, 2014 | BIM, CSI, Estimate, Links, PPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Specifications, UniFormat
Have you made the connection yourself? Connecting data to make it available and useable for each team will improve efficiency and reduce risk for every construction project. The focus has been on inserting data into BIM to describe the objects the design..
Reinventing? Let's Standardize!
by David Stutzman | Dec 16, 2013 | contract documents, CSI, MasterFormat, Outline Specs, PageFormat, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), SectionFormat, Specifications, standards, UniFormat
The construction industry in general and the architectural profession specifically, seem to enjoy the same challenge on every project. You would think the challenge is about the design - trying to optimize the response to the owner's program and the..
Can PPDs Be Used as Contract Documents?
by David Stutzman | Dec 9, 2013 | AIA, BIM, contract documents, CSI, Estimate, PPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Specifications, UniFormat
Is this a trick question? Everyone knows that construction contract documents consist of the agreement, the conditions of the contract, the specifications and the drawings. Just check all the standard AIA agreements. Of course, preliminary project..
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.
Before Design Begins
by David Stutzman | Apr 1, 2013 | Budget, CSI, Design, Design Considerations, Envelope, OPR, PPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice
An idea is formed. A new product or service is required. A need for a building emerges. What is the next step - a napkin concept sketch of a building form?
Linking BIM to Specifications
by David Stutzman | Mar 18, 2013 | AIA, BIM, CSI, Design Considerations, PPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, AIA CES, Specifications, UniFormat
The promise of BIM (Building Information Modeling) is that project data can reside in the model and can be extracted by anyone in a form for every purpose. The reality is that useful data extraction is entirely dependent on valid data input.
Practical Learning You Can Put to Use Today
by David Stutzman | Feb 18, 2013 | BIM, Construction, Construction Administration, CSI, CSI Academies, Design, IPD, PPDFormat, Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD), Professional Practice, Rosetta Stone, Specifications, Specifier
The CSI Academies brought expert instructors and students together, a total of about 140 individuals, for 13 hours of advanced education and learning over 3 days. The program was arranged in three tracks: Construction Specifier, Product Representative,..
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..