Archive through January 07, 2011

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Author Message Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 907 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2010 - 02:49 am:    I've been asked by my students at Taliesin to provide a list of technical references they should have in their library. I've started a list, but would like to get some input from the discussion group to make it as complete as possible. Thanks! Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 384 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2010 - 08:51 am:    Ron: A book to which I've frequently referred over the years is Construction Materials by Caleb Hornbostel. Don't know whether it's still in print; I got my copy in 1970 when I first taught materials at Oklahoma State. George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 575 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2010 - 12:10 pm:    Ron- Our chapter has reinstituted our technical committee, and our first published product will be a list much like the one you are doing. Tomorrow I'll track down our draft at the office and email it on to you. I think we are doing a limited list ("Top Ten" or something) but we'll send you all the background conversation we had. George A. Everding AIA CSI CCS CCCA Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies St. Louis, MO Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 458 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2010 - 11:48 pm:    Elements of Style, Strunk & White Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1171 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, December 20, 2010 - 09:57 am:    Architectural Woodwork Standards, TCNA manual,MasterFormat, Project Resource Manual (good one, Sheldon; it's never out of date. Mine is from the 60's and at home, unfortunately; but I do know exactly where on my bookshelf). Scott Mize Senior Member Username: scott_mize_ccs_csi Post Number: 42 Registered: 02-2009 Posted on Monday, December 20, 2010 - 11:30 am:    The SMACNA manual was always full of useful details, gauge-inch-millimeter converstion tables, formulas for calculating air and water flow capacities, etc. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Architectural Graphic Standards. When I was faced with drawing or detailing something I'd never drawn before, AGS was often my first stop. Plus, if you need to know exactly how big a handicapped parking space or a badminton court is, AGS is a gold mine. AISC's "Steel Construction Manual" is useful, even if you aren't doing structural design, if for no other reason than it shows the actual dimensions and properties of nearly every standard structural steel shape known to mankind. Introductory texts on lighting and acoustics are helpful. I still have my 'Concepts in Architectural Lighting' by M. David Egan. (I loaned my 'Concepts in Architectural Acoustics' out one time too many and don't know where it is.) I never opened my ASHRAE standards after I graduated, so I don't recommend buying it if one doesn't already have it. A good architectural dictionary is invaluable in properly describing things, even on drawings because drawings have notes and it's good to call things by their correct name. ;-) (I wouldn't know the correct name for a machicolation if I hadn't had such a book myself.) Most students - and small firms, for that matter - can't really afford a full set of "ASTM Standards Used in Buildings", but firms that do buy them throw the old ones away every few years. I'd bet your students could get their hands on a not-too-out-of-date copy free by calling around and offering to cart the old ones away...it's five volumes, each three inches thick at the spine and growing. Plus, nearly everything listed is available used in bookstores on campus and near schools with an architecture program. The older editions are still useful and even cheaper! Nathan Woods, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 373 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Monday, December 20, 2010 - 01:17 pm:    The UL standards are very helpful to have, as is the Gypsum Association manual (which I think is a free download?). TSIB's standard plaster finish texture's handout is free and helpful. We constantly use copies of the buildings codes, and associated Handbooks and Accessibility Guides (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, December 20, 2010 - 03:55 pm:    Everything Joe Lstiburek has ever written - starting with his builder's guides and including all of his technical articles. (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, December 20, 2010 - 06:26 pm:    Ones personal library should include those books that will regularly be use and will differ considerably whether the architect sees himself as a technical or design oriented architect. Most of the items will be in the office library but will also consider books in areas of special interest. Each architect should have a personal copy of the building code The office library should contain: • Copies of the building codes and regulations you need to comply with. • Copies of all specifications and standards referenced in your master specifications. If you hire consultants to design systems you would assume that they have the appropriate specifications and standards. • Copies of the reference standards listed in Chapter 35 of the IBC that apply to the work that you do. • Reference books on topics which you play an active role in designing. This assumes that somebody in the office is familiar with these references. • ACI Guides and standards related to such issues as architectural concrete and tolerances • SSPC standards dealing with painting and protective systems. • NRCA Manual dealing with waterproofing and roofing. • The Project Resource Manual. Russ Hinkle, AIA, CDT, LEED AP Senior Member Username: rhinkle Post Number: 83 Registered: 02-2006 Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - 07:28 am:    A parallel question - What are the top ten websites spec writers have in their favorites? Russ Hinkle Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1172 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - 09:37 am:    www.4specs.com; www.csinet.org; http://csi-northcentralregion.org; www.csimilwaukee.org; www.usgbc.org; /www.onelook.com (dictionary search); www.convertit.com (measurements); /www.access-board.gov/adaag/htm; www.astm.org; http://masterformat.com Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 908 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - 05:20 pm:    Thanks everyone. Keep them coming. For Russ' request, add the UL Online Certifications (http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/index.html). Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 909 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - 05:49 pm:    Not necessarily references, but books that I recommend that any architect should read are listed below. After reading the personal and historical accounts of those who were there, you'll have a whole new perspective on building codes: Brandt, Nat. Chicago Death Trap: The Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2003. Elliott, Ron. Inside the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire. Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company, 1996. Esposito, John C. Fire in the Grove: The Cocoanut Grove Tragedy and Its Aftermath. Da Capo Press, 2005. Von Drehle, David. Triangle: The Fire that Changed America. New York: Grove Press, 2003. There are other books that cover some of the same topics, but these are the ones that I have read and can personally recommend. If anybody knows of any other fire-event-related books, please let me know. Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 459 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - 07:13 pm:    Not construction related, but Young Men and Fire. I have heard good things about Christopher Alexander's A Pattern Language; any comments? Sunny Onadipe, CCS, CCCA, SCIP, LEED AP (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - 01:43 am:    Christopher Alexander's Pattern Language is a good choice. The book dates back to the 1970's (possibly earlier?), but the issues, principles and reccomendations are timeless. Here is a very good general reference book that has not been mentioned yet: Pat Guthrie's Architect's Portable Handbook Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1173 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - 09:19 am:    "A Pattern Language" may have been my favorite academic book while in school. It speaks of, among among things, the relationships between spaces and the users of them in simple terms. Makes me want to read it again. Brian E. Trimble, CDT Senior Member Username: brian_e_trimble_cdt Post Number: 32 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Wednesday, January 05, 2011 - 05:50 pm:    In regard to books, how about Eril Larson's "Devil in the White City". Ohhh, creepy. But an interesting read about Daniel Burnham. (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, January 05, 2011 - 06:14 pm:    Brian, Wonderful, wonderful book! I highly recommend that all architects read this book by Erik Larson. The descriptions of Daniel Burnham's dedication to a successful project are riveting. Nathan Woods, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 378 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Thursday, January 06, 2011 - 02:03 pm:    Curious about this White City book, there is a Kindle version. Are there many (any?) illustrations that might make the print version more desirable than the convienance of the Kindle version? Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 114 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, January 06, 2011 - 02:45 pm:    White City: I don't recall illustrations. While the Architect part was very interesting and compelling, the other part was very creepy and yucky indeed, IMHO. Specification Writer Senior Member Username: specification_writer Post Number: 18 Registered: 01-2009 Posted on Thursday, January 06, 2011 - 03:25 pm:    Nathan, Very few illustrations in this book. Would recommend purchasing "The Chicago World's Fair of 1893: A Photographic Record (Dover Architectural Series)" - contains lots of photographs of the White City. Specification Writer Architect Washington, D.C. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1095 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, January 06, 2011 - 03:33 pm:    I agree with Lisa about White City -- its not fiction per se, but a fictionalized account of things that happened in Chicago during that time. one reference that I go back to a lot (and refer people to) is "Handbook of Construction Tolerances" by David Ballast -- in one book he's collected both fabrication and erection tolerances for almost any material you can think of. VERY useful, especially if you tend to have sort of "high design" types who want to design everything with a 1/16th inch tolerance. (you point them to the book and tell them its not made that way). (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, January 06, 2011 - 02:45 pm:    Nathan, Very few illustrations in the book. Would recommed purchasing "The Chicago World's Fair of 1893: A Photographic Record (Dover Architectural Series)" for outstanding photographs of the White City. John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 497 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Friday, January 07, 2011 - 12:37 pm:    Ron Geren: Regarding technical references, I think the most beneficial but voluminous reference would be a set of Masterspec Evaluation documents. When you don't know the first thing about a subject in construction technology, the Masterspec Evaluations present the fundamentals about the subject plus extensive lists of further technical references. Also (as you well know), knowing how to check a design against the building code is essential. So, a helpful resource (in addition to a class taught by a building official who appreciates and even encourages the creativity of architects ... I actually took a class from such a man) would be Building Codes Illustrated (IBC) Third Edition - A Guide to Understanding the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) by Frank D.K. Ching and Steven R Winkel, FAIA. It's got pikchurs and not just words! As for a book to help understand life, I recommend Joseph Heller's Catch 22. It helped my sanity while on active duty in the Navy. Randy Cox Senior Member Username: randy_cox Post Number: 76 Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Friday, January 07, 2011 - 02:23 pm:    There are a lot of really great recommendations above. My two cents: copies of relevant accessibility codes...There is almost always at least one! I hadn't read Catch 22 until this fall. Yossarian Lives!