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This is the first in a three-part series on this blog addressing ethics for design professionals, comprised of: (a) Part 1 – Introduction and Ethical Dilemmas; (b) Part 2 – Common Ethics Requirements; and (c) Part 3 – Ethics and Business Practices. In the practice of architecture, engineering, geology, and other design professions, the conduct of an individual licensee is as important to society and the integrity of the profession as is the competent performance of the licensee's services. Ethics goes to the heart of how society views the design professions and the weight and respect given to their opinions, recommendations, ...
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A bit about Tara: A proficient specifier with more than a decade of experience in the field and a Master of Science in Architecture and Construction Visualization. Tara currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Nashville Chapter. Additionally, Tara chairs ESa’s Quality Management Team, where she plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the meticulous upkeep of ESa’s master specifications, carefully scrutinizing new products and incoming internal standards suggestions and judiciously evaluating their potential applicability to ESa’s project templates. Her discerning eye and unwavering commitment to excellence ...
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Ever wonder how a CCPR credential can transform your career? Just ask Shari Carlozzi! Shari chose to take both the CDT and CCPR exams in 2022, propelling herself towards construction expertise and industry acclaim. Let's dive into her story and see how these designations unlocked doors. Can you provide an overview of your career, and why you chose to work in this industry? I have been in the roofing industry for 17 years, getting my start as a marketing adviser for a heat welding company that developed into a sales role. I later became the national sales manager for their roofing division products, teaching roofers these practices ...
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CSI caught up with Kevin Wang to learn how earning his CCS® credential has impacted his career. Kevin earned his CCS back in the Fall of 2022. Here, he shares tips and insights about the process, and what he’s learned since. Can you provide an overview of your career, and why you chose to work in this industry? I began my career in traditional architectural production. I had the unique opportunity within my first year in the industry to be immersed in specifications production. I immediately had an attraction to this particular facet of architecture. After a few more years in architectural production, I decided to devote my career full-time ...
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Laws and regulations governing the practice of architecture, engineering, geology, and other design professions require that professional services be performed under the “responsible charge” of an appropriately licensed, registered design professional. What that means in practice varies by applicable laws and regulations and may be subject to varying interpretations. This article examines the applicability and meaning of “responsible charge” and presents related key concepts for practitioners. Terms such as, “’[architect] [engineer] of record” and “’[architect] [engineer] -in-responsible-control” are typically construed as having the same meaning ...
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Lingyi "Linda" Li has always been fascinated by building. As a child, she loved designing with Lego. At 15, she began helping with the maintenance of her mother's home. Before entering architecture school, she worked at three different firms to better understand the aspects of the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry. Now, as a student at the University of California, Linda is working to build her network. She took a major step toward that goal by attending the 2023 CSI National Conference held this past fall in Minneapolis, MN. "Being among the few Chinese women and one of the younger attendees at the conference ...
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This is the final installment in a six-part series on this blog addressing design professionals’ scopes of services, comprised of: (a) Part 1 – Key Concepts and Source Documents; (b) Part 2 – Elements of Design Professionals’ Scopes of Services; (c) Part 3 – Limitations: Introduction and Essentials; (d) Part 4 – Limitations: Construction Documents; (e) Part 5 – Limitations: Permitting and Disagreements; and (f) Part 6 – Elevated Standard of Care, construction Cost Estimates, and Phased Authorizations. Elevated Standard of Care The standard of care is a generalized indication of the expected quality of services performed by a design professional. ...
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This is the fifth in a six-part series on this blog addressing design professionals’ scopes of services, comprised of: (a) Part 1 – Key Concepts and Source Documents; (b) Part 2 – Elements of Design Professionals’ Scopes of Services; (c) Part 3 – Limitations: Introduction and Essentials; (d) Part 4 – Limitations: Construction Documents; (e) Part 5 – Limitations: Permitting and Disagreements; and (f) Part 6 – Elevated Standard of Care, construction Cost Estimates, and Phased Authorizations. Limitations Concerning Permitting and Regulatory Approvals On some projects, the design professional may assist the client in obtaining certain permits, approvals, ...
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Those of us who have been in the construction industry for more than 10 or 15 years know that getting a building to Certificate Occupancy status is now a lot harder than it used to be. With commercial construction (and I’ll include multifamily buildings within this), there is always a delicate balance, and it seems like that balance is more complicated and tedious now more than ever. Construction projects are always faced with the same potential conflicts and stresses related to schedule, budget, safety, and functions as intended by the contract documents. Add to these some considerations that have become especially important over the past ...