Blogs

Breaking Boundaries: An Interview with National Conference Keynote Speaker Curtis Moody

By Peter Kray posted 6 hours ago
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Curtis Moody, the founder of Moody Nolan , the largest African American-owned architecture firm in the US, will be presenting the Keynote Speech , “Perspective on Design, Firm Ownership, and Breaking Boundaries in the AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owner) Industry” at the CSI National Conference in Nashville on September 23, 2021. CSI sat down with him to hear about his unique journey, and what he sees as our industry’s challenges and opportunities. You're celebrating almost 50 years as an award-winning Architectural Designer, and 40 years as the founder of a top level firm with a focus on diversity. What are some of the highlights ...
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Delays in Construction—A Common Source of Claims

By Kevin O'Beirne, PE, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, CDT posted 4 days ago
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The most common sources of change proposals and claims in construction are likely owner-ordered changes in the work, differing site conditions, and delays. This blog post presents a general overview of delays in construction. Types of Delays Construction delays are typically apportioned into three principal categories: Delays within the contractor’s control. Delays within the owner’s control. Delays neither party can control. Delays within the contractor’s control typically include delays resulting from the acts or inactions of the contractor, its subcontractors or suppliers of any tier, or anyone for whom any of them are responsible. Why ...
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Let's Get Techy with Nancy Novak

By Peter Kray posted 6 days ago
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Check out this Q&A interview with Nancy Novak, keynote speaker at the CSI National Conference . Check out her talk, Leveraging Data to Inform the Next Generation of the Construction Industry , Friday, September 24 from 8:00-9:15 a.m. Innovation, the power of data, and diversity are all important to a company’s bottom line—and are subjects you specialize in—why are those such important factors to a company’s success right now?   Novak: I don’t think anyone would doubt the historical importance of these elements in terms of their ability to contribute to an organization’s success. What is changing is a greater realization of the symbiosis between ...
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Let’s Build Camp for Girls Is Helping Empower Women to Work in Construction Industry

By CSI HQ posted 7 days ago
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When the Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls kicked off its fifth season in Lehigh Valley, Pa., in June, they had to turn down applications from young women in states bordering Pennsylvania, such as New York and New Jersey, as well as applicants from Wisconsin, Virginia, and as far away as Hawaii.   It’s a sign of the growing reputation of the camp as a fun, inclusive, interactive place for girls to experience what it’s like to work in construction, but also of the lack of opportunities they have to begin a career in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owner (AECO) industry.   “We have more applicants than we can host,” said Jon Lattin, ...
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Stipulated Contract Times: Determination Requires Due Diligence

By Kevin O'Beirne, PE, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, CDT posted 06-29-2021
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Editor's Note: CSI is pleased to publish this blog from Kevin O’Beirne, PE, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, CDT . If you have an idea or opinion you would like to share with your colleagues in the construction industry, please contact CSI Content Strategist Peter Kray at  Pkray@csinet.org . He would love to help publish your thoughts. All contracts include three basic considerations: compensation, scope, and time. In drafting construction contracts, design professionals typically devote considerable time and effort to developing the scope, via the drawings and specifications, and compensation, via the opinion of probable construction cost (“cost estimate”). However, ...
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FY2022 President's Message

By CSI Chicago Chapter posted 06-22-2021
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Dear CSI Chicago Members, From early in my professional career as an interior designer and transitioning to a building product representative, CSI has been my guiding light within the construction industry. Although my level of involvement changed with each career move, the value I have for the education and relationships built within CSI, has not waivered. I will be forever grateful to those who took me under their wing to lead me to this wonderful family of professionals.   I am honored and excited to step into the position of President this month with the plans of meeting face to face this fall. My personal goal this year is to understand what Influences ...
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Open Board and Committee Opportunities

By Carolyn Glanton, CSI posted 06-18-2021
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RECSI is seeking community members to join our Board of Directors and Committees.  The RECSI board is an eclectic and enthusiastic group of dedicated professionals who use our skills and dedicate our time to create a robust chapter. Are you someone who would like to join us and share a bit of your time/talent in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022? Board Opportunities Treasurer Responsibilities  Attend monthly chapter board meetings and present current financial statements. Keep accurate financial records for the chapter, make disbursements and deposits of funds. Assist Board with preparation of annual budget, including year-end comparison of the prior year ...
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Walking Tour of Historic St. Rose Neighborhood

By Carolyn Glanton, CSI posted 06-17-2021
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Walking Tour of Historic St. Rose Neighborhood RECSI Director and Member Wm. Mark Parry, AIA, SAH ( Artisan Architecture ) delighted attendees with a walking tour of the historic  St. Rose neighborhood in downtown Santa Rosa in early May. Mark is a practicing architect and an enthusiastic educator in architectural history and design practice. He is a federally qualified Architectural Historian and Historical Architect. Thank you to Mark for the tour and editing of this blog post. Stop #1 Museum of Sonoma County (Old Post Office) 425 Seventh Street The group met at the Museum of Sonoma County across from the downtown mall. The building was originally ...
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Amy Fauria Shares How She Earned Her CCS

By CSI HQ posted 06-17-2021
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Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owner professionals who earn their Certified Construction Specifier (CCS TM ) certification are skilled product researchers who know how to investigate and identify cost-effective, efficient solutions, then communicate those solutions through the specifications. Achieving your CCS means: Developing an in-depth understanding of agreements, conditions of the contract, Division 01, and their relationships to specifications Having advanced skills in specification development, enabling you to use spec-writing software more effectively Understanding how to research and source products https://www.csiresources.org/certification/ccs ...
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The Art and Science of Construction Estimating

By Ken Lambert, CSI posted 06-16-2021
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Editor's Note: CSI is pleased to publish this blog from Ken Lambert, Director of Industry Development and Technical Services for the International Masonry Institute. He can be reached at  klambert@imiweb.org . If you have an idea or opinion you would like to share with your colleagues in the construction industry, please contact CSI Content Strategist Peter Kray at  Pkray@csinet.org . He would love to help publish your thoughts. There are many critical components of a successful construction contracting company, but one that may not always receive due credit and attention is the company estimator or estimating department. While estimators may not be ...
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2021 GSR Conference

By Randall Lewis, CSI, AIA posted 06-09-2021
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August 20 & 21 SELECT HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE AND CONFERENCE INFORMATION Select here for Sponsorship Information Select Here for Registration Select here for Hotel Reservation NEW HOTEL BLOCK for secondary hotel - Hampton Inn (link is active ) Keynote Presentation - Meeting People Where They Are By: Joy Bailey Bryant Joy Baily Bryant is the president of the U.S. Office of Lord Cultural Resources and a specialist in municipal engagement around culture. A certified interpretive planner and outreach facilitator, Joy works with city officials institutional leaders, and developers, in global municipalities like Chicago; New York; Dhaka; ...
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GSR Student Scholarship Information

By Randall Lewis, CSI, AIA posted 06-09-2021
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The CSI Gulf States Region is pleased to issue our Region Scholarship Application to the members of the Gulf States Region.  If you know a deserving student that qualifies for this scholarship please forward the application to them.  Deadline for submittals August 10, 2021. The award will be presented at the GSR Conference in Huntsville at the Awards Banquet on August 20, 2021.  The region will sponsor the recipients hotel and registration costs to attend the GSR Conference on August 20- 21, 2021. Follow this link to download the APPLICATION .  If you have any questions please contact Beth Eubanks at beth.eubanks@jdhcompany.com .
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Carrie Gerstenberger Shares How She Earned Her CCS

By CSI HQ posted 06-09-2021
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Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owner  professionals who earn their Certified Construction Specifier (CCS TM ) certification are skilled product researchers who know how to investigate and identify cost-effective, efficient solutions, then communicate those solutions through the specifications. Achieving your CCS means: Developing an in-depth understanding of agreements, conditions of the contract, Division 01, and their relationships to specifications Having advanced skills in specification development, enabling you to use spec-writing software more effectively Understanding how to research and source products Here, recently successful ...
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Mary Alvarez Shares How She Earned Her CCCA

By CSI HQ posted 06-03-2021
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AECO (architecture, engineering, construction, owners) professionals who earn their Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) certification demonstrate a high level of knowledge for developing, administering and enforcing construction documentation. Passing the CCCA TM  exam means you’ve proven your skill in: Quality assurance and quality control Bidding and negotiating procedures Construction observation and inspection Division 01, General and Supplemental Conditions, agreements, and all other documents related to the project Enforcement and liability Here , Mary Alvarez, Assoc. AIA, CDT, CCCA, discusses her career in construction and shares ...
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President's Message: Signing Off With Gratitude

By Brad Schwab, CSI, CDT posted 05-24-2021
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The month of June marks my last month as CSI Chicago President. As I reflect back on the year, I am grateful for having the opportunity to serve as President of this organization of outstanding professionals working to advance the greater Chicago area design and construction community’s knowledge of building information management, construction technology, and project delivery methods to improve facility performance while fostering relationships and promoting education.   Thank you to all the members who stepped up, embraced change, and challenged the status quo during this unprecedented year to support our chapter’s mission. I learned so much this year from ...
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Oh What A Night!  Chapter Awards Celebration Shines Bright.

By CSI Chicago Chapter posted 05-20-2021
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Oh What A Night!  Chapter Awards Celebration Shines Bright.   The CSI Chicago Chapter’s Awards Celebration was held on Wednesday May 19, 2021 from 4 to 5:30 PM.  Over 45 attendees helped the Chapter honor and recognize 11 individuals in 6 categories who significantly impacted our chapter and/or the Chicago construction industry. Chapter Fellow Award – Jim Lucas NEW! EL (Emerging Leader) Award – Katie Maciejko and Rachel Nava Awards of Excellence - Heidi Cervantes-Garcia, Drew Clausen, Paul Fogarty, Rachel Nava, and Heather Rice. Technical Award – Scott Conwell and Jeff Diqui Rookie of the Year Award – Kevin Carter President’s Award ...
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Member Spotlight: Nolan Day

By CSI Chicago Chapter posted 05-17-2021
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Nolan Day, CSI, CDT, LEED AP President Day Architectural Marketing Joined CSI Chicago: 8/2015   Provide a brief description of your professional career. I started was a carpenter's apprentice at age 15 and eventually moved up to Assistant Superintendent for CL Peck by the time I graduated college. I worked on major projects such as the L.A. World Trade Center and Bonaventure hotel and have always had a keen eye for innovative construction methods and materials. After I finished playing professional football and rugby, I opted for a career in the building material industry with the Hilti company. Having worked in Europe and the Middle ...
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Shop Drawings and Submittals—Delegated Design Submittals

By Kevin O'Beirne, PE, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, CDT posted 05-11-2021
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This is the last in a six-part series of blog posts on shop drawings and submittals.  Previous posts in the series addressed: (1) definition, purpose, and necessity of submittals; (2) the various types of submittals; (3) liability associated with submittal reviews; (4) submittal review stamps; and (5) submittals with deviations from contractual requirements. Perhaps the least understood construction submittals are delegated design submittals. The myths and misconceptions surrounding delegated design submittals are many and varied. Hopefully, this blog post dispels some of them. Delegated design is when a construction contract expressly assigns to the contractor ...
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How I Earned My CDT®: Melissa Giles

By CSI HQ posted 05-07-2021
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The Construction Documents Technology (CDT ® ) certification provides a comprehensive program of study for anyone seeking to enhance and demonstrate knowledge of writing, interpreting, enforcing ,  and managing construction documents. It is a valuable resource for project architects, contractors, contract administrators, material suppliers, and manufacturers’   representatives, all of whom are realizing the advantages of being Construction Documents Technologists. Here, recently successful CDT candidate Melissa Giles discusses her career in construction and shares her perspective on what it took to earn this elite certification. Can you provide an overview ...
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Volunteer Week Spotlight: Meet Bob Bailey!

By CSI HQ posted 04-29-2021
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In honor of National Volunteer Month, CSI would like to give a resounding round of applause to all of our current and past volunteers. This month, we are putting the spotlight on CSI members who go the extra mile for their friends and colleagues. Today’s spotlight is on Bob Bailey AIA, CSI, CCS, LEED AP. You’re invited to   learn how  to become a CSI Volunteer or opt in to the  CSI Volunteer Pool  to easily apply for opportunities that are a match for your interests and availability. https://www.csiresources.org/communities/volunteer How did you first decide to volunteer, and what is your particular area of expertise? Initially, I had expressed ...
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