Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT
Senior Member
Username: rliebing
Post Number: 1329
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2012 - 10:55 am: |    |
120705
THE BEGINNING IS JUST THE BEGINNING….
by Ralph Liebing, RA, CST, CDT
Cincinnati, Ohio
Sounds like Yogi Berra, but then some of us others can do the same things-- thus!
With the marvelous news from the Board last week or so, we really have a challenge and task ahead of us-- each one of us-- a truly valid and valuable Building Technology program. Of course, I am sure that we have, already, some naysayers, and cynics who are not onboard. To them, ”I hope you will come along and at least support the concept, even if less than whole heartily”. This is important to both CSI and to the many others in the construction industry who benefit from, produce and use our documents.
How this situation, now in place, came ever to be, is a mystery. It has been long since the Master Builder era, and obviously we can dig up all sorts of remnants from old era working drawings [at least 1900 if not before]. Such evidence includes photographs of drafting rooms [with hanging lights, pipe-smoking drafters, denim drafting aprons, pencils, t-squares, etc.] producing drawings in both the terrible ‘30s and the ‘40s [war production].
Then basic information and work was nibbled away for lame excuses; no time available; diverse direction of education; not valid in a design atmosphere; who cares, don’t spend on it; who requires it, and other myths that fully lack understanding of the needs involved, etc. So now we heavily load architectural students with massive college debt and graduate them knowing about 1/3 of their profession [and no apparent course to complete more or it] Surprised someone hasn’t sued yet over this one!
Also, there needs to be a collective CSI effort where every member, no matter their expertise, contributes to the program-- and many may benefit from it, making a better industry. The idea is to set out knowledge and understanding of the basic construction information, such as standards, materials, fabricating and processing, variations, interconnection, adaption for installation in varying ways/conditions, and so forth. It is root level information needed by all! No matter our training or experience, we have all relied on this base information. Who better to teach about paint and painting than a rep for a paint company; or who teaches overall detailing than a drafter or project lead; etc.
The task is arduous enough that it should have a clean, clear legislative path with no carping, unnecessary [meaning none] quarreling or vicious quibbling. No matter who is selected for the Task Team now, and on the working Team[s] later will be smart enough and experienced enough to produce a high quality program-- give them a chance and assist them with your thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. We may not all be satisfied in the end, but…..
If it’s supported by everybody [even at a minimum], then it’s ALL of us! |
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