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A new ramp is required to get into the front entry that damages the historical fabric of the building. What steps do you take?

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:58:26 +0000

Read about San Francisco City Hall’s $1 million ramp.

What is the proper procedure for rejecting part of a contractor’s application for payment if the architect observes that a portion of the work is not yet complete?

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:28:43 +0000

Within 7 days, notify the Owner and Contractor in writing the reasons for withholding the certification in whole or in part.

If there is a conflict between spec and drawings which one is assumed to over-ride the other?

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:12:57 +0000

The Contract Documents are intended to be fully cooperative and to the be complimentary. If the Contractor observes that any documents are in conflict, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Owner in writing.

In case of conflicts between the Contract Documents, the order of precedence shall be as follows:

What should an architect do if a contractor refuses to correct non-compliant work?

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:05:24 +0000

As the architect in this situation I would report my concern to the contractor, and if they are still unresponsive I would issue written notice of the situation to the owner. Under AIA A201 Owner-Contractor Agreement the owner is entitled to either perform the required work themselves and remove the costs from the contract sum, or terminate the contract with the contractor.

You notice that concrete on a job site seems to be cracking excessively. Should you order testing if none was noted in the contract documents?

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:04:28 +0000

Who pays for this testing?

According to AIA B201 the architect my order testing or inspections of work if they believe it to be in the best interest of the owner. If I had concerns of this nature I would first inform the owner, then consult with the structural engineer (if the problem were structural) before ordering testing as appropriate. This testing would be paid by the owner, however if the test showed a failure the cost of the test and the replacement of the work would be born by the contractor.

What is the significance of substantial completion and what is the architectâ€™s role in this project milestone?

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:03:05 +0000

a. The significance of substantial completion is:
– it is the end of the contract time (owner-contractor agreement)
– it begins the warranty/correction period
– it begins the period for statute of limitations on professional liability
– it signifies the work is complete enough for the owner to occupy the space for its intended use

b. When the contractor thinks that the project is substantially complete for the owner to occupy the building for its intended use, the architect/owner/contractor provide a site visit to verify the projectâ€™s accordance with the contract documents. A punch-list is created to note all items that must be completed or repaired, and if the architect agrees that the project is fit for occupancy they will issue a certificate of substantial completion including the punch list, the date that the punch list must be completed by, the responsibilities of both parties (contractor-owner) with respect to payment of utilities and security, along with all maintenance and warranty information.

How would you limit your clientâ€™s potential exposure to liens or other encumbrances on their property?

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:02:13 +0000

By using the AIA G700-series documents, or similar documents, to properly record the contractorâ€™s schedule of values, provide site observation to verify validity of contractorâ€™s applications for payment, and to ensure that consent of the bond surety is secured prior to the release of any retainage or final payment to the contractor, as well as secure affidavits of lien releases from the contractor or a bond to properly protect the ownerâ€™s property in the case of any unsecured affidavits of lien releases.

Advise the owner to require labor and material payment bond to cover any lack of payment by the GC. Require the contractor indemnify the owner against any third-party claims. Affidavits of lien release can also be required with each application for payment. If the owner has reason to suspect a sub is not being paid, they can request proof of payment from the GC.

What is your responsibility as the licensed professional stamping documents? How would your responsibility change if a construction manager was involved in the job?

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:00:34 +0000

A licensed architectâ€™s responsibilities are outlined in both the California Architectâ€™s Practice Act and the Owner-Architect Agreement, AIA B101. The architect is charged with acting in accordance with the standard-of-care in preparation and administration (responsible control) of the instruments of service in connection with a contracted project. If a construction manager were involved in the job many of the administrative roles typically filled by the architect may be transferred into the control of the construction manager. These roles, which should be clearly defined in the owner-construction manager agreement (AIA#), could include creating and maintaining a project budget, creating and maintaining a project schedule, processing submittals as an intermediate between the contractor and architect, preparing change orders for architect/owner/contractor approval, reviewing contractorâ€™s applications for payment and schedule of values, as well as other administrative tasks in connection with the execution of the contract for construction.

A project you have contracted is subject to CEQA. What steps can you expect in the CEQA process and how do they impact the project?

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:58:14 +0000

a. The lead agency will examine project to see if it qualifies for a categorical or statutory exemption. If so they may issue a notice of exemption.

b. If not exempt the lead agency performs an initial study to determine if the project will have any significant negative impacts on environmental quality. If no the lead agency will issue a negative declaration. The lead agency may also issue a negative declaration with mitigation measures.

c. If the initial study indicates potential negative environmental impacts the lead agency will order an environmental impact report. This report will study the impacts in more detail and suggest mitigating measures if any to reduce the effects.

Exemptions or Negative Declarations allow the project to move forward. Negative Declarations with Mitigation Measures requires changes to the project, but it moves forward. EIR requires significant project delay and potentially renders the project infeasible, significantly changes the project, or kills it entirely.

You have been contracted to design a 12,000 sf multi-family publicly funded housing project one block from the beach in San Diego

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:56:41 +0000

What agencies will have jurisdiction on this project? How would these agencies change if the project were located in San Francisco?

Authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) will include the Department of Housing and Community Development, the DSA-AC, the SFM and would be subject to CEQA process. In addition the project would be under the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission, and subject to the California Coastal Act. If the project were located in San Francisco it would be under the jurisdiction of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission instead of the California Coastal Commission.