Ask a Designer
Construction Observation: What the Heck Is It?
There are a bunch of typical phases in a typical architectural design process, but all projects don't include all of the phases, though they are available. Basically, it is like a menu of services. Construction Observation is one of the the best things on the menu, and too often overlooked.
July 11, 2011
There are a bunch of typical phases in a typical architectural design process. They've been used for many years and serve their own unique functions. All projects don't include all of the phases but they are available. Basically, it is like a menu of services. Didn't your mom tell you to eat your vegetables? Well, construction observation is sort of the same thing. A lot of people don't want to eat it, but it is probably the best thing on the menu for them.
An architect's role is usually of most benefit during Construction Observation as it helps navigate difficult decisions that come up along the way.
Often on site, architects will stage beautiful glamour shots like this of us pointing at drawings. I promise. We even include it the fee so you don't have to pay any extra. We love to point.
The available phases of an architectural project are pretty straightforward. There is Pre-Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, and then Construction Observation. There are often Post-Construction services available, as well, if needed. Disturbingly, I couldn't find a good link to send people to that summarizes those services so perhaps that will be a future post. Regardless, here is what happens during Construction Observation (summarized for clarity).
During the design and documentation phases, an architect spends their effort making sure a set of documents can be produced that allows for the construction of a building. Details are figured out and conditions are examined. The challenge comes when construction starts and unknown conditions start, revisions are incorporated, or materials are no longer available and new products must be selected. There is also the possibility, as shocking as it may be, that some details were not figured out during the detail process because it is actually easier and a better use of time to do that in the field. There's always a point of diminishing returns and that is why retaining an architect's services during construction is good move.
Smaller projects have less involvement from an architect while larger projects will have a much bigger involvement, reviewing shop drawings to make sure cabinets and windows are correct as drawn, answering interpretation questions about the drawings, and making sure requests for product substitutions are appropriate.
It is also VERY helpful to have an Architect on board and help navigate the relationship between the Owner and the Contractor. There are plenty of great new contractual relationships between the various parties that exist now but the traditional method of the three parties as relatively separate is still widely in use.
On a residential project, an architect helps act as an owner's representative during construction helping answer questions from the owner, explaining why something has to be done, and making sure the contractor builds the project as drawn and keeps the quality up.
Construction is a crazy and fun process, there is no doubt. It is also scary and rather insane in how much goes on. Keeping an architect on ensures that you don't just gorge yourself on the tasty portions of the architecture menu like designing your floor plan and picking out tile. Eat your vegetables and retain the services of an architect during construction and you'll have a well-balanced meal.
The cheese at the end is purely provided by my writing. Good eating!
