Architect-Engineer Material Selection
Architect-Engineer Material Selection
(OP)
Hello everyone,
I just completed a job where the architect sent me drawings for a three story stair tower that is being added to an existing building. The stairs and handrails were shown to be constructed of structural steel. I designed them as such. When I took the drawings to the arch. the princaple asked why the stairs were steel and not wood. I said because that's what you were showing. Most jobs of this nature I have seen, the stairs have been steel mostly due to fire code and durabiity issues. Now the owner wants them redesigned in wood. Don't most of you have the architect show the type of material they would like used and then if there is a problem then bring it up with them, otherwise design it with the materials they show. Thank you.
I just completed a job where the architect sent me drawings for a three story stair tower that is being added to an existing building. The stairs and handrails were shown to be constructed of structural steel. I designed them as such. When I took the drawings to the arch. the princaple asked why the stairs were steel and not wood. I said because that's what you were showing. Most jobs of this nature I have seen, the stairs have been steel mostly due to fire code and durabiity issues. Now the owner wants them redesigned in wood. Don't most of you have the architect show the type of material they would like used and then if there is a problem then bring it up with them, otherwise design it with the materials they show. Thank you.






RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
If you were designing with materials not shown in the architectural drawings (just picking your own), there wouldn't be a whole lot of use for the architect because you would be "re-doing" and negating his work.
You are right, you design based on what they show. If there is a problem (e.g. material isn't strong enough, durability issues, etc...) you bring it up to the architect and come to a consensus.
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
I would agree would you if it was an innapropriate material selected, but it is the architect that dictates the look and feel of the building, we just make it work.
If the item is covered with finishes then that is another matter.
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection
Good Luck!
RE: Architect-Engineer Material Selection