Engineered Systems - October 2008 - (Page 11)

Letters Responsible design: some nice ideas, done wrong I listened to the “Responsible Design & Construction Process in the 21st Century” webinar (available at www.esmagazine.com), and had some comments. First, I applaud Mr. McKew’s and Ms. Maston’s advocacy of an integrated design approach and the early definition of owner’s project requirements (OPR), basis of design (BofD), FTP, and the use of energy and system modeling software in the building design process (I’m not referring to process plant or infrastructure systems design, which usually have different processes). These are truly needed — as well as a more integrated and comprehensive role for the building mechanical and electrical system designers. cies are coming around to acceptance of D-B, but it’s a slow and difficult process. 2. Second, the re-definition of the design process as shown is not only naive and over-simplified, but wrong. The coupling of the “Architectural” portion of building design with “System Selection” and “Energy Modeling” and its designation as “Architectural Bubble Diagrams,” is a grossly misleading statement of the process. The “Schematic Design” and “Design Development” phases have progressed and continued over many generations in order to recognize the gradual and reiterative decision making that go into the design of a building. Energy modeling today has to consider options of building orientation, insulation, material reflective properties, window patterns, operable shading devices, electric lighting configurations and controls, and equipment space requirements and cost (central plant, fan rooms, rooftop), as well as HVAC system design options. These happen in a reiterative process through SD and DD phases — not in jumping from “System Selection” and “Architectural Bubble Diagrams” directly to “Project Documents” (that “phase” is simply the documentation of the many design decisions made in the earlier stages). 3. As a mechanical engineer first and an architect subsequently, I strongly support the idea of a more important and substantive role of the building systems design engineers (mechanical, electrical, lighting, control, and communications systems, etc.). Owners should be as scrupulous about their selection as they are about the architects’ selection. 4. And for their stronger role, and for their efforts in early simulation and energy modeling (together with the work of the architect, structural and site engineers), each of the members of the professional design team should be more highly compensated. The increase in design fees will be more than offset by decreases in construction cost. These same thoughts apply to the construction oversight, submittal review, substitution approval, commissioning, training, and O&M manual preparation tasks, as well. Most owners, however, are just not aware of all this. They need to be educated. 5. The goals you are trying to achieve with this “mechanical-engineer centrist” The goals you are trying to achieve with this “mechanical-engineer centrist” model of the design process would be better achieved by relating the actual design and construction work objectives to the established processes of design and construction as they exist and are practiced — not by proposing a radical and unrealistic revision of the process. — John C. Rollow, AIA, CHPS Glendale, CA However, the advocacy of an upheaval change in the contractual performance process and fee apportionment, together with an insistence on a D-B building procurement process, is naive and irresponsible. 1. First, most buildings in this country are procured by D-B-B process (sometimes with multiple-prime building contracts and construction managers (CMs) but still D-B), especially for federal, state, and local government agencies. Some agen- No Problem… Input 217A at www.esmagazine.com/instantproductinfo w w w. esmag a zine . c o m ESM10084SSAd2.indd 1 11 9/15/08 11:59:05 AM http://www.esmagazine.com http://www.esmagazine.com/instantproductinfo http://www.esmagazine.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Engineered Systems - October 2008

Engineered Systems - October 2008 Contents Editor’s Note Letters Back2Basics HVAC Challenge Case in Point Commissioning Building Automation HydroTech HVACR Designer Tips Special Insert: Engineer's Technical Library Fall 2008 Living Wild! Chilled Beams in Chicago Phoenix Convention Center: On The Rise Cold-Climate HVAC Challenges Humidification Strategies For Data Centers & Network Rooms Special Advertising Supplement: Tabb Talk Computers & Software Issues & Events Products Literature & Catalogs Glossary Classifieds Advertiser Index Tomorrow’s Environment

Engineered Systems - October 2008

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