| Author |
Message |
Robin E. Snyder
Senior Member
Username: robin
Post Number: 218
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 07:48 pm: |    |
I know there has been some discussion about how things are "different" in each country, but I would be interested in hearing specifics in what other spec writers have prepared for work in the above countries. Narratives? 3-part specs? Outline specs? |
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan
Post Number: 297
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 09:48 am: | |
You first have to identify the your client's (the architect) "true" role. After some discussion with one of my clients doing some design work in SE Asia, it became clear that they were essentially preparing design guidelines which established the general visual character and technical performance for the project; specifications were really not required. Some of my colleagues in the Houston area are doing projects in the Middle East and Africa for clients who are used to "US level" of architectural service. The Drawings and Specifications for these projects look a lot like what one would normally do for any complex US project. In some cases the infrastructure for producing any but the most basic building materials is so underdeveloped that 70 to 80 percent of the products will be imported (much of that from the US). In other countries, good local products are available, but getting information about them is next to impossible since that really isn't the way the industry works. Some countries will have restrictions on what can be imported.
I know it really doesn't help, but the answer to your question is "It depends." |
William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: wpegues
Post Number: 762
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 09:56 am: | |
And not only 'it depends', but it can vary.
We had 2 projects in Egypt that were delivered as the equivalent of Design Development type drawings and a general description of systems (not even an outline spec). Then the same client has come back to us and ask us to provide full construction documents for another project.
We did a project in China that our scope was the equivalent of DD. We are in discussion for one in Viet Nam, again DD.
William |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 09:56 am: | |
Europe being a continent, we have specified for projects in the European countries of Great Britain and Switzerland - CSI formats; outline and 3-part.
Dubai - CSI formats; outline and 3-part.
Vietnam - CSI formats; outline and 3-part.
China - CSI formats; outline and 3-part.
Canada - CSI/CSC formats; 3-part.
Mexico - CSI formats; outline and 3-part.
All in American language (a form of Englishification). |
T.J. Simons, CSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: tsimons
Post Number: 13
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 12:36 pm: | |
I spent some time in SE Asia (Malaysia) 10 years ago, doing some research and up-front work for a large project (12 buildings, 60 acre campus) we had there. The intent was for us to ultimately produce CD-level documents.
At the time, Malaysia and some of the other countries in the region were still utilizing the Quantity Surveyor system (vestiges of the British influence, apparently). I met with a number of QS firms, and was shown several "specifications". In that region at the time, the architect didn't have anything to do with specs-any written documents came from the QS.
The "specifications" I was shown were part of a larger document called the Bill Of Quantities-while they specified materials, products, etc., they were actually written descriptions of trade scopes of work.
I don't know what they are using in that area now, but the people I met with were open to the CSI format. The downside was that the QS had a lot of influence with the Owner, and dictated a lot of material selections, usually based on cost.
The project went away due to the Asian currency crisis, so I never found out how it might have worked. |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 853
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 01:27 pm: | |
Our European projects are typically documented from our end to a "Project Narrative" level that is pretty descriptive in terms of design intent -- but only design intent. In some locales (France, Spain) we work with local architects who administer the project locally. In Switzerland and Germany, the building codes virtually decide everything else for the project (type of concrete, steel, etc) so the design narrative is all that is used for construction. We do typically work with a couple of the same subcontractors for exterior wall, and they work all over the world. We do a lot of local (LA-based) and project specific full size mockups to work out a lot of details. Our Panama project was also narrative based, with a local architect to administer and I think the other secret ones are being taken to SD level only.
Haven't started on the Dubai project yet.. but will add that to the list. |
Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap
Senior Member
Username: lgoodrob
Post Number: 12
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 11:07 am: | |
Anne,
We're starting a large project in Abu Dabi. It will be in CSI 3 part format, in American English. We expect it will be mostly performance based. I don't know if it will be American or British standards yet. We're sorting out division 1 now. The Architects are American, so I don't think we'll be working with a quantity surveyor this time.
It's intended to be a super green project too. Has anyone used LEED in Asia or the Middle East? I have heard that submittals are essentially meaningless in the Middle East for regular construction. This would be a very helpful discussion to continue. |
Wayne Yancey
Senior Member
Username: wayne_yancey
Post Number: 136
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 11:18 am: | |
Lisa,
We have a LEED Silver project in Dubai. The region in which the project is located has their own sustainable rating system or checklist. Our project is a blend of USGBC LEED Silver checklist and the regions' system.
Nothing to report on "meaningless" submittals. I do not think our project is there as yet. |
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