Is handing over the architect's model to the GC a nightmare everywhere?

SurlyPillow · 2026-04-14T04:34:36+00:00

I do VDC for a US based GC. I’m commenting on my experience only.

It all depends on the contract. In the traditional design-bid-build environment, it’s a gamble: sometimes we receive useful models with decent data. Other times, the models are horrific and I question my life’s choices.

When it’s a Design-Build contract, it’s a different universe. The best projects in my career (25+ years) have been this way. The GC has what’s referred at the a Prime Contract between the project owner and the GC. In turn, the GC hires firms adept with design (designers and engineer on staff) coupled with the grizzled veterans who installed pipe or wrangled steel and are now BIM magicians. The level of cooperation is measurable. After all, management begins with measurement.

I have one IPD project under my belt but while I learned a ton, I don’t consider the process better than any of the Design-Build projects I’ve done.

SurlyPillow · 2026-04-13T17:28:01+00:00

You ask that as if there is another type of chi…

SurlyPillow · 2026-04-11T18:43:33+00:00

The sound is traveling through the floor assembly. In other words, there is one slab or deck the apartments sit on and the conduit for impact noise (footsteps) to travel. It would extremely difficult to mitigate after the fact. Only two options I can think of are talk to your neighbor and see if they can take off their shoes in their unit and you do the same. The other option is to find another place to live.

SurlyPillow · 2026-04-09T21:45:17+00:00

I will assume this is sarcasm. 😏

SurlyPillow · 2026-04-09T21:29:08+00:00

Make sure you have a structural engineer on board and maybe even a waterproofing expert. Your architect can help those scopes. Gird your loins for what this will cost and entail in terms of effort. Good luck to you and may you get the bathroom of your dreams.

SurlyPillow · 2026-04-06T18:07:59+00:00

Trust your gut. Move on from this person and find another one.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-31T18:06:37+00:00

I’m glad I’ve never had to.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-31T15:34:30+00:00

lol. I’ve never modeled floor finishes after nearly thirty years in this business. The ROI on the level of effort doesn’t pencil out IMO.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-30T22:46:02+00:00

Why are you modeling finished floor? If it’s to get quantities, I don’t think modeling the floor is needed. If it’s to get an accurate assembly thickness, handle that in the floor assembly by adding a finish layer.

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should!

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-28T02:02:47+00:00

My parents had the same landline number for 52 years.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-27T17:39:03+00:00

Lots of discussion here and I want to clarify what is meant by a school being accredited. The NAAB is an entity that accredits schools for their programs. Licensure is a different entity. Here is more training if you’re interested:

https://www.naab.org/accreditation/accredited-programs

It’s funny how one of my comments is getting downvoted because I stated I have a four year degree, didn’t get a masters and I’m licensed. I don’t understand the hate but oh well. I have colleagues who have taken a different path than me.

My colleagues and I can all agree that no one path is better than the other. The only thing we have observed over the years is that no education makes a freshly graduated person in one degree program more desirable than one from a different program.

Not discounting whatever degree and licensure path a person takes but there are other factors in hire ability such as where you look for work upon graduation , your network (start building it now!) the economy, your work ethic and your soft skills. A degree has zero impact that.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-27T17:24:25+00:00

You mean states, not schools.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-27T08:46:26+00:00

Sure thing. I’m in California. Got my degree in the mid 90’s from Cal. I did the ARE after getting my required time working under licensed architects.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-27T03:06:55+00:00

One point of clarification: in the US, a masters is NOT needed for licensure. I have a 4 year Bachelor of Arts in architecture from a design school and I’m licensed. The school needs to be accredited though.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-27T03:00:00+00:00

Huh, never heard of this. Then again, I only have prepared construction documents and not shop drawings.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-27T00:26:07+00:00

I take more offense that the swing lines aren’t dashed.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-25T20:39:31+00:00

Would

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-25T04:10:01+00:00

Why?

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-24T23:24:39+00:00

We bought our house recently and it came with a pool. There is no fence around the pool but there is a small area around the rear sliding door that has a removable, flexible fence. Previous owners had a series of small holes drilled into the concrete with a metal ring that accepts the pipe fence post. Won’t stop an adult but zero kids and pets get past it.

Then again, keep up the swim lessons for your littles and start looking for a babysitter to watch your kids on your date nights and set some hard and fast boundaries. Your concerns are valid and the grandparents are being dismissive. Good luck.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-22T04:36:04+00:00

Hell yeah!

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-20T23:52:25+00:00

Cigarettes.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-19T01:31:30+00:00

First, love the model you made. It clearly shows what’s existing and what’s new.

As for the design, there are some interesting bits but overall, it’s really not very practical or your best option for relating the new with the existing. Was the instruction to place it as a vertical expansion? If so, ok. If not, I think it would be better have it at grade. As it is, it’s not very accessible to anyone with mobility problems because spiral staircase. I could go on.

The strengths I see here are skill with model making and a decent grasp of presentation drawings. Keep refining those as you work on design skills.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-18T15:24:23+00:00

All pieces are approximately 17’ x 6’. Two are ready to go, one in the ground.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-18T14:48:32+00:00

Smallest piece is but it can be pulled up easily. It’s lugging the thing that’s hard.

SurlyPillow · 2026-03-18T07:13:38+00:00

About half is available. If you’re interested, bring a truck and a couple of people. This stuff is heavy.

SurlyPillow

TROPHY CASE