Tips For An Efficiently Run Project And Controlling Design Service Fees

It is our goal to keep your project moving efficiently and to control costs. In that endeavor, we recommend that the following items be considered which will help to control expenses and help expedite the design and construction process:

1. Quick Responses: It is helpful to get quick responses to our questions, whether as a callback or email. This will allow us to continue moving on your project and reduce the start/stop time which slows a project down and requires more effort in reworking issues in question. Also, if there are several questions asked in one email, please respond to all the questions listed. If they cannot all be answered at one time, we ask that you respond to what you can and note that you are working on the other answers. It saves time from going back and forth.

   Green Design Jim
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The enforcement of the 2010 California Building Code (CBC) is changing into the new 2013 CBC. The 2011 Los Angeles Building Code we have been told will be enforcing the 2013 CBC. We have not received confirmation on this yet. As part of JHAI continuing education program Arnie LeVine and I participated in the AIASFV "New T24 Energy Code - Cal Green" Evening program 11/2013.

Since the 1970’s there have been manufactured insulated panel systems. They have been used for site walls, building walls, and panelized roof systems. What is consistent in many of these systems is the use of expanded polystyrene mixed with a structurally integrated component. Options on the structural integrated structures include steel wire framing integrated into the foam panels, fully imbedded steel framing within the panels, and partially imbedded steel framing within these panels. The non-masonry systems are similar in wall thickness to standard wall framing and yield similar usable floor areas compared to masonry systems. These systems are factory manufactured leading to a more efficient use of building materials and a faster construction schedule.  These systems are lightweight and being factory fabricated are designed using less material than would be required on a site install standard framing and insulated project.  Panel sizes can be up to 18 by 50 feet and depending on the thermal requirements come in different widths. The steel and foam panels can be fully recycled for new products in the future. These materials are also “green” in that they are made from past used recycled products. This is “Cradle to Cradle” thinking. These are “green” products.

Many question whether barriers for air, water, and sound used in design and constructions really make a difference in how our building functions. What do you think? Read on and see for yourself whether these barriers we care so much for really have an impact.

Air barriers have recently been identified as one of several effective and viable solutions toward better high-performance buildings. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and several state energy codes now require their use in all new commercial construction as well as some residential construction. More importantly, energy efficiency and occupant comfort — two key ingredients of sustainable design — are driving the use of air barriers across a variety of market sectors. With today’s high cost of energy and concerns about indoor environmental quality (IEQ), air barriers are one of several construction systems with a critical role to play.