tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post9002146991074774894..comments2024-02-28T02:23:50.477-06:00Comments on Constructive Thoughts: What happened to the Master Builder?Sheldonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-41297205994336080522023-08-09T03:09:59.074-05:002023-08-09T03:09:59.074-05:00It is very helpful thanks a lot and you write it v...It is very helpful thanks a lot and you write it very well.<br />Regards <a href="https://melange-restoration.com/" rel="nofollow">General Contractor New York<br />Melange Restoration Inc.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10357745003799068023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-75081181224225593002019-10-15T02:36:48.101-05:002019-10-15T02:36:48.101-05:00I must say, I thought this was a pretty interestin...I must say, I thought this was a pretty interesting read when it comes to this topic. Liked the material. . . . .<br /><a href="http://mo.procontractorservices.net/" rel="nofollow">Saint Louis General contractors</a><br />Remodeling contractor Saint Louishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407865807693902589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-19942669697046025122019-06-17T13:14:04.993-05:002019-06-17T13:14:04.993-05:00The industry of Building and construction in Austr...The industry of Building and construction in Australia has grown massively in last decade. Due to this reason, it has become very difficult to get the <b><a href="https://www.tradeassociates.com.au/qbcc-contracts" rel="nofollow">contract for construction work</a></b>. Even with great experience and good work, many companies struggle to get regular building and construction work.Tonyiallardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17250888975869444879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-82405886447794609022018-03-09T10:28:00.982-06:002018-03-09T10:28:00.982-06:00Thanks; good luck with your blog!Thanks; good luck with your blog!Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-57179650019453087922018-03-08T01:42:26.183-06:002018-03-08T01:42:26.183-06:00The definitions you cite fall short of the definit...The definitions you cite fall short of the definition of a master builder. A contractor who builds according to construction documents prepared by others, no matter how talented, is a contractor, not a master builder. Similarly, an architect who is not involved directly in construction, no matter how talented, is a designer, not a master builder. <br /><br />Architects or contractors who are responsible for both design and construction may well be master builders. As far as I know, "master builder" is not protected in the same way as "architect" or "engineer," so anyone could claim to be a master builder. Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-82530755583925320142018-02-20T10:55:45.149-06:002018-02-20T10:55:45.149-06:00Response to Paul Potts, part 2.
John: Also, cont...Response to Paul Potts, part 2.<br /><br /><br />John: Also, contractor's/constructor's coordination skills have withered dangerously in the last couple of decades. They are now not much more than purchasing agents, self-performing less and less of the work, and accustomed to passing off as much of their contractual responsibilities as possible to subcontractors and designers. <br /><br />Response: Again, nearly all the contractors I have worked with are quite skilled at completing their projects. As for “passing off as much … as possible,” does it really matter who does the work? The contractor remains responsible. And how is that different from an architect “passing off” work to structural, mechanical, electrical, acoustical, security, hardware, elevator, and other consultants? Apparently, architects don’t have the intellectual depth or attention to do their jobs. <br /><br />John: I also disagree vehemently with your statement "Unfortunately, architects gradually have given away, or had taken from them, just about everything not directly related to appearance." If anything, the architect's responsibility for all the details of planning and design of buildings has become exponentially MORE complex during the course of my career. And architects take that responsibility very seriously.<br /><br />Response: Read the rest of the articles in the series, in which I explain how, led by AIA, architects have continually worked to reduce their risk, i.e., their responsibilities. In response, the contractors you denigrate have stepped up and assumed those responsibilities. The result of this transition is that the architect’s former role as leader of has been reduced to space planning and visual design. I agree that architects are superb at planning, but, because of their education, they lack knowledge of building materials and processes. Architecture schools prioritize planning and presentation, to the detriment of the very things architects are required to know to be licensed. <br /><br />Thanks for your comments!<br />Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-56115018674261930872018-02-20T10:53:19.872-06:002018-02-20T10:53:19.872-06:00Response to Paul Potts, part 1.
FYI, Paul, I have...Response to Paul Potts, part 1.<br /><br />FYI, Paul, I have worked only with medical, correctional, institutional, civil engineering, and non-residential work for the last thirty years. Since you agree with John, let me respond to his comments. Incidentally, given John's comments and yours about all those evil contractors, I wonder what goes on at your typical project meetings. How can you work with people you despise so much? <br /><br />John: But I must protest your statement that: "You can't design structure without an engineer, you can't design site work without an engineer, you can't design mechanical or electrical systems without an engineer, and you can't build a building without a contractor - but it's hard to say why you need an architect."<br /><br />Response: To be perfectly clear, I should have said “a licensed architect.” Prior to AIA’s successful drive to require that architects be licensed, many people successfully designed beautiful and functional buildings. And many of them were what we now call master builders, people who understood not just visual beauty, but who also intimately understood material properties, construction methods, and how to coordinate the work of all the trades involved. <br /><br />John: Hard to say why you need an architect? <br /><br />Response: Some contractors are quite capable of working with owners to design a successful building, and some architects are not. A license guarantees nothing. <br /><br />John: OK, the constructor types may be able to mimic the process of design that an architect goes through. [But] They can't/won't/don't-know-how to put the client's interests first. They are so steeped in … profit-at-all-costs … that they simply can't really assist the client in a professional sense in making decisions. <br /><br />Response: While that may be true of some contractors, most of the contractors I have worked with consistently provide the best services for their clients. At the same time, many architects are focused primarily on magazine architecture, placing their need for recognition above the needs of the owners. Yes, contractors do try to maximize profit, but don’t architects do the same? The difference is, architects cut costs by working more hours, ignoring practical aspects of construction in favor of appearance, and perform additional services without compensation. <br /><br />To paraphrase, “Architects are so steeped in the desire to create beautiful buildings regardless of cost to their clients they simply can’t assist the owner in making decisions related to cost.” In the end, owners are more interested in getting buildings within budget than they are in resolving the tension between the earth and sky elements. That’s why, when a project gets to the construction phase, owners pay more attention to contractors than they do to architects. Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-7208918015223392952017-11-11T02:45:06.365-06:002017-11-11T02:45:06.365-06:00I have recently started a blog, the info you provi...I have recently started a blog, the info you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work. <br /><a href="https://www.n2information.com/real_estate/" rel="nofollow">construction company</a><br />cassikeeranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09762655297321877623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-37490305170038144822017-07-27T02:06:51.017-05:002017-07-27T02:06:51.017-05:00I like the helpful info you provide in your articl...I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here!<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow">New home builders coromandel </a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-44579693311664950322017-05-24T19:30:01.773-05:002017-05-24T19:30:01.773-05:00I agree with John O'Neil. Sheldon, you don'...I agree with John O'Neil. Sheldon, you don't don't know what your talking about. You must specialize in some simple kind of construction like residential construction. I have worked for architects for 24 years, and I can tell you an architect is needed on anything more complicated than a residential building. It is a very complex undertaking to design a 24 million dollar school building from programming (learning the nuts and bolts of what the owner wants) through design development (getting all the designers, engineers and owners on the same page and get then started drawing plans and developing specifications). Then there is the construction documents and specifications stages and permitting, bidding and vetting contractors. There are contractors around with the sensibilities to put everything into the building as it is needed, but it isn't their basic instinct. Someone needs to know the design intent during construction, not just as an abstract principle, but as a real ongoing activity, sometimes ongoing for two or three years. That takes an architect. It's silly to say you don't need architects. Paul Pottshttp://www.constructionmi.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-31415013801031594202016-01-20T04:36:41.109-06:002016-01-20T04:36:41.109-06:00Thanks a lot brother for the bunch of useful infor...Thanks a lot brother for the bunch of useful information, I am truly impressed!! <a href="http://aucklandlocksmiths.com" rel="nofollow">homes</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11718088637061523602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-60563212456558916112013-09-19T01:49:21.425-05:002013-09-19T01:49:21.425-05:00you have use good quality of content in your post ...you have use good quality of content in your post in free time i did like to read this types of post. thanks<br /><a href="http://www.getmconstructions.com.au/" rel="nofollow">builders contractors warwick qld</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10320990459239084832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-25892388998418456412013-06-28T00:01:47.592-05:002013-06-28T00:01:47.592-05:00Amelia: The series is finished, but this article w...Amelia: The series is finished, but this article was just the first of several about the Master Builder. If you read the rest, please come back and comment again. Thanks for the kind words!Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-76899502562831337302013-06-27T18:39:43.048-05:002013-06-27T18:39:43.048-05:00I found your articles re the Master Builder name q...I found your articles re the Master Builder name quite interesting Sheldon. I am researching the appropriate usage of the term. A web definition designates the term as 1. a building contractor 2. a person skilled in the art of building.<br />Would you say it is appropriate for a building contractor of very high-end custom homes and commercial buildings to use the term Master Builder or Builders in his company name in light of your understanding (ie that architects and MB's are not necessarily synonymous today) and the above definition? I assume there are no required designation or certifications necessary to use the term (we are in Texas). Thanks! Van MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-70392808910985582752012-12-04T23:32:47.738-06:002012-12-04T23:32:47.738-06:00This is very well said. And from a young up-and-c...This is very well said. And from a young up-and-comer, I truly appreciate this level of experience and analysis. I tend to view architecture and what we do from a business perspective, but I'm carry the same line of sentiment as Potter Stewart, opinion in Jacobellis v. Ohio (1964): [I can't define what is pornography.] "But I know it when I see it."<br /><br />I can't currently precisely define why we are such poor businessmen, but I know bad business when I see it. However, you and Sheldon are helping to clarify the reasons, and what I'm really up against in an attempt to change those bad business practices.ArChItEcTuRaL AnGsTahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04295981607226749712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-2527426850387874772012-05-02T11:13:06.942-05:002012-05-02T11:13:06.942-05:00We share some disappointment with type 1 and 2. A...We share some disappointment with type 1 and 2. A problem type 3 is those learned few become specialists, not unlike the other two. Unfortunately the adeptness they have at their specialty has their time allocated from one field assignment to another and they rarely come back to the office to contribute to the efforts of what you call the assembly architect. The unknowledgable assembly architect ends up little more than a highly skilled computer operator. They are billable and sought after despite the real lack skill in architecture. Your "seasoned" professional rarely seems the best mentor. They exist as one man teams.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-21499855518993585422012-03-22T21:08:27.617-05:002012-03-22T21:08:27.617-05:00Sheldon, I have found in my almost 40 years as a r...Sheldon, I have found in my almost 40 years as a registered architect, that there are 3 types of architects; the "blue sky" design type, the "assembly" drafting type, and the "construction knowledgeable" administration type. Their being able to communicate with each other, appreciate each other’s skill and expertise is the challenge. <br />It seems the "blue sky" architects really don't care about the difficulties of the construction process; how a building really goes together in the construction process; one block on top of the other. When a construction challenge comes up, it's not unusual for the "designer" to reply, "that's a field problem; work it out in the field."<br />The assembly architect, if in fact an architect, is required to know CADD, Revit, and all the other electronic drafting programs, but isn't, as with the “designer”, very aware of "how a building really goes together." If the programs didn't have the "symbol" for a CMU in it's library, most of those now "assembling" the drawings couldn't tell you its size. They pull “standard details” off manufacturer's web sites and insert them into the documents but really don't coordinate to make sure they work as a system; with the building envelope.<br />The seasoned "construction knowledgeable" administrator HAS to be an architect. It's his/her responsibility to assist the contractor in the proper interpretation of the documents; the drawings AND the Project Manual. He/she has to understand the design and the document assembly process. But, he/she is seldom consulted during either of those phases. The construction knowledgeable architect, the person who IS the MASTER BUILDER, lives with the project longer than the other two combined. All the time it takes to put the program together, translate it into the "blue sky" design and then "draw" it, is at least doubled during the construction of the project. That is when “the honeymoon” is over and the real marriage begins. That is where the MASTER BUILDER comes into existence. That is when the Owner comes to grips with the “value” of the architect.<br />The strange part of the process is that the “blue sky” design architect seems to get most, if not all, of the credit for the success of the project. But, guess which member of the team is the MASTER BUILDER? Hopefully, he/she has been certified by CSI as a Certified Construction Contract Administrator.T Montero, FCSI, CDT, AIA, NCARBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-83962231733523088042012-02-29T20:58:59.221-06:002012-02-29T20:58:59.221-06:00John: You and I, and architects in general, know t...John: You and I, and architects in general, know the value a good (note: good) architect can bring to a project. However, it seems the perceived value has diminished. As to the other points, stay with me. Thanks for your comments!Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-26836001048862405382012-02-29T20:54:58.266-06:002012-02-29T20:54:58.266-06:00Architects are their own worst enemy. I believe an...Architects are their own worst enemy. I believe an overwhelming majority of architects do a good job and provide good service to their clients. Unfortunately, a few of the starchitects, who get a disproportionate amount of publicity, give the public a false impression of what most architects are like, and what they do. Thanks for posting!Sheldonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799057838622646083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-21022843356086525152012-02-29T17:35:50.403-06:002012-02-29T17:35:50.403-06:00Sheldon, I think this is a great post. Architects ...Sheldon, I think this is a great post. Architects should be creating elegant designs that address a wide range of functional, structural, environmental, and aesthetic considerations. They should know their craft well enough to be able to ensure that engineers, builders, and other specialists work within that vision. <br /><br />Many of today's architects seem to be nothing more that designers of walk-in sculptures. It's no wonder that so many clients will have nothing to do with them.Jacob Stollerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08448898593660702854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6416426589713285085.post-2989525926320083922012-02-25T13:10:05.504-06:002012-02-25T13:10:05.504-06:00Sheldon, Sheldon, Sheldon...
I was with you on yo...Sheldon, Sheldon, Sheldon...<br /><br />I was with you on your contention that architects are no longer master builders. True enough. <br /><br />But I must protest your statement that: "You can't design structure without an engineer, you can't design site work without an engineer, you can't design mechanical or electrical systems without an engineer, and you can't build a building without a contractor - but it's hard to say why you need an architect."<br /><br />Hard to say why you need an architect? Hire a contractor or a construction manager or a design-builder or some other constructor type to DESIGN your next significant project and you'll soon see why you should have hired an architect instead.<br /><br />OK, the constructor types may be able to mimic the process of design that an architect goes through. They may even be able to hire a decent architect-of-record to meet the requirement for a licensed professional. They may be able to superficially meet the client's program. They may be able to produce drawings and specs that look like the real thing that an architect would do.<br /><br />So what CAN'T the constructor types do?<br /><br />They can't/won't/don't-know-how to put the client's interests first. They are so steeped in the typical contractor hard-driving Type A-personality, profit-at-all-costs modus operandi that they simply can't really assist the client in a professional sense in making decisions. In my experience, they're unable to make that leap from their constructor history to being an owner's agent.<br /><br />Also, contractor's/constructor's coordination skills have withered dangerously in the last couple of decades. They are now not much more than purchasing agents, self-performing less and less of the work, and accustomed to passing off as much of their contractual responsibilities as possible to subcontractors and designers. Although there are some good constructors out there, most of them simple don't have the professionalism or the skill or the intellectual depth or the attention span to do as good a job at building design as an architect.<br /><br />I also disagree vehemently with your statement "Unfortunately, architects gradually have given away, or had taken from them, just about everything not directly related to appearance." If anything, the architect's responsibility for all the details of planning and design of buildings has become exponentially MORE complex during the course of my career. And architects take that responsibility very seriously.John O'Neilhttp://specology.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com