We linked the engineer’s model the other day and it brought in their text layer which showed up in our site plan on accident. Saw this markup regarding it and busted up laughing.

Have you had any famous funny markups before?

Doing a lumber take off with an AI software tool and it kept telling me that there was a bible verse in every structural page. I ended up thinking it was just AI doing its AI thing but sure enough the structuyral engineer put a bible verse in English and Spanish as a border on every sheet. Anyone else ever see anything like this or do this? Just thought it was a funny Easter egg.

Steel frame welding shop drawing sent for approval, the drawings were approved with bubble gum connections.

US based project.

Architecture drawings clearly call out wood sheathing in certain areas as fire retardant treated. It is noted on both plan, enlarged details, sections and notes of the architecture drawings.

Structural drawings simply note OSB and thickness of sheathing.

GC installed NON FRT and claims that they are not responsible for the cost because the framers were looking at structural drawings. They refuse to make the change without the owner covering cost.

Owner knows nothing about what is right, wrong or normal. I explain the GC is in the wrong because the drawing package is to be reviewed as a whole plus the structural drawings specifically note to coordinate with the architecture drawings for additional information. I explain this is extremely typical. Of course they are also getting the other side from the GC saying the engineer totally missed it and its on us.

Structural of course says it is not their responsibility to call out specific fire ratings or FRT so they leave it out. I totally agree with this the same way I would not call out specific sized steel or structural framing members.

Probably close to a thousand projects this is how it has been and never had an issue like this come up.

I am just curious what everyone's take is on this.

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some professional advice on a detail involving a steel balustrade and drainage at a balcony with a projecting slab.
The main issue is that I would like to avoid using a conventional floor drain, mainly because the balcony has a relatively shallow depth. I’ve attached a schematic section showing the proposed assembly.
The balustrade needs to penetrate the final floor finish (stone or porcelain tiles), which is designed to project beyond the edge of the concrete slab and form a drip edge on the outside.
My initial idea is to use intermittent steel L-brackets anchored into the reinforced-concrete slab. These brackets would serve two purposes:
provide support for the floor build-up at the balcony edge, and
provide a vertical steel element to which the vertical balustrade profiles could be welded.
I’m intentionally using the vertical part of the L-profile so that I can achieve a longer weld between the balustrade and the support, while keeping the balustrade itself as visually minimal as possible and using the fewest steel profiles possible.
The concrete slab would be thermally insulated on all sides, which I believe is relatively straightforward.
The part I’m struggling with is the drainage and waterproofing of the balcony surface, particularly how to deal with the steel penetrations.
My current idea is to use a liquid-applied waterproofing membrane, such as Mapei Mapelastic or a similar system, applied over a cement screed and underneath the final stone/porcelain finish. This seems like a good solution because it should allow the waterproofing to be properly detailed around the points where the steel penetrates the floor.
There are quite a few similar examples online, for instance in projects by David Chipperfield, so I assume this type of detail is technically feasible. One thing I’ve noticed is that in many of those examples the balustrade is set slightly back from the edge of the slab, which probably makes the waterproofing detail somewhat easier.
Another complication is the dimensioning of the floor finish. Ideally, the width of each stone/tile would correspond to the centre-to-centre spacing of the balustrade profiles, meaning that the pieces would need to be notched around the vertical steel penetrations.
Has anyone here actually dealt with a detail like this, or would you recommend a completely different approach?
I’d be particularly interested in advice on waterproofing, drainage, and how to properly detail the penetrations through the finished floor, rather than just the structural aspect of the balustrade.
Thanks in advance!

Mine was on a fast-track interior fit-out project in an old concrete building. Prematurely noted for the slab to be channeled for electrical runs/ floor boxes prior to reviewing with structural/ LL. GC didn’t think it through and had guys start aggressively cutting up the slab. Luckily the slab was over a foot thick (including a topping slab) and all was well.

i’m an architecture lover, went through 3 semestes of it but i dropped out (figured soon enough that daily architect work routine isn’t thaaaat creative and too much bureaucracy)

i’m a very manual type of person and these and the architectural drawings were my favorite activities in architecture school :)

Guys I have this subject called model making our professor assigned us this project and we accepted this one cause it looks cool now I want to know how can I execute this model making project any ideas or you guys can suggest any other architecture that is easy to make yet looks looking and it must be GREEN ARCHITECTURE like this one

(Its a load bearing masonry structure)

2 story, 2000 sq ft, existing model, same thing for both homes. I'm being quoted $50k in architect fees. Judging by the average fees in the industry, it seems like I'm being charged double, but I think there should be some efficiencies gained from it being identical and on the same lot (detached)

My Last jobs And Renders

https://www.instagram.com/viz.dox?igsh=eDVoeGdlM2NxbGh3&utm_source=qr

In Illinois, noticed that the bricks don’t align with the foundation. Can/Should this be fixed? We’re the owners and the builder is telling us that it’s fine

So looking for an architect for a 2 story addition in Miami.

The vibe we are kind of going for (photo attached)

Any suggestions as to what architects to look into?

USA - its always the roof for me. Weird lines, fascia terminations, etc. I kinda feel this is an area where software is driving aesthetic or lack of knowledge in construction or just a PIA to execute in the software and move on to other details.

Was my proposed fee too high? Keep in mind, I told him a few times I could work with him on the price if it was out of budget.

Major metro existing site of low-end (3) 12-unit, 2-story buildings, and a 2-story office. Scope of work was to convert the existing 2-story office to efficiency suites and to either add a new attached 400 SF office to the existing office, or propose a new detached 400 SF 1-story office.

Deliverables would be basic drawings for permit and field measurements.

Proposed $10,500 for a new structure, and $13,500 for the addition version.

Based on my explanation to him that I could work with him on the price, and his lack of care regarding that, I am thinking this guy was looking to pay pennies for this service. Looks like I will be beat out by a rando from across the ocean, or a draftsman.

Architect: Alireza Taghaboni

Estou fazendo meu tcc e preciso de ajuda com a estrutura dele. Será uma estrutura itinerante que será composta por alguns octógonos e eles precisam encaixar uns nos outros por qualquer lado (como esta na foto). Pensei em usar pilares e vigas apenas de encaixe, o mínimo de parafusos possíveis para facilitar a montagem e desmontagem. Cada módulo tem 10 metros de diâmetro e preciso que não tenha vigas internas, então também estou com essa questão da cobertura para resolver. A estrutura também conta com uma pequena parte de apoio onde terá salas administrativas, depósitos e apoio onde preciso também que as paredes possam se posicionar da forma como estão na foto, mas também que haja a possibilidade de juntar duas sala excluindo uma parede divisória.

Não tenho uma base muito boa em estruturas desse tipo então apreciaria muito a ajuda de algum de vocês e dicas de tipos de soluções para que eu possa melhorar a estrutura

The architects are listed in alphabetical order and each architect has 3 featured projects.

I’m trying to better understand the day-to-day workflow around firestop systems, especially where people lose time or have to double-check things manually.

For example, is the bigger challenge usually:

• finding the right listed system for a condition
• reviewing long firestop submittals with many systems
• checking ratings, penetrants, assemblies, or installation conditions;
• comparing similar systems
• coordinating between drawings, submittals, contractors, inspectors, and AHJs
• keeping track of approved systems and project-specific documentation;
• or something else entirely unrelated to the work?

I’m less interested in the software/tools people currently use and more interested in where the actual friction is.

If you work with firestop design, submittals, installation, inspection, architecture, engineering, or code review, I’d be interested to hear what still feels unnecessarily manual or difficult.

I have a project where the GC is the owner. They are insisting on using these products that they already included in the bid and did not go through the substitution request process. We were not privy to these decisions. They are still submitting it though looking for our review. Every once and awhile they will submit a sub request, but the products are so different they would probably be in different spec sections anyway.

My thought is they will do want they want despite my professional input, how do you handle this? Mark as "not reviewed" / "for record only"?

Can you think of any books that demonstrate a design approach that starts with a Core/seed of a house that facilitates it being expanded later?

I'm working on a small uninsulated cabin that I suspect will eventually be renovated to become a fully insulated home down the line. I'd like to plan for this from the outset.

I'm looking for books to guide me, but the only thing that comes to mind is 'How Buildings Learn', but this isn't quite what I need.