LACSI | Newsletter | January 2011 by LA CSI

Join us WEDNEsday, JANUARY 26 Hear about an architectural restoration and seismic strengthening project at the LAX Theme Building, one of the most important and iconic images of Los Angeles.

NEWSLETTER The Los Angeles CHapter of the CONSTRUCTION Specifications Institute

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

Join us For a special Event – TRANSFORMIT – WEDNEsday, FebRUARY 16

www. LACSI. org

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Content

JANUARY /FE BRUARY

Letter FROM THE President

2011

2011 Kickoff Letter

VolUME 64

Thank you to the Board of Directors for its efforts on managing the affairs of the chapter these past six months.

NUMber 1

LACSI January Program

LAX THEME BUILDING: Restoration and Seismic Upgrade. An architectural restoration and seismic strengthening project.

CSI CERTIFICATION CLASSES

CSI ACADEMIES- Dallas, Feb. 24-26

West Region CORNER

BuchNotes

Membership News

Letter from the editor

CSI Ventura Program

The Ten Steps to Access: Common Sense Considerations based on ADAAG & CBC 11B. Provides 3 of the 5 hours of disabled access education required for CA architects.

Transformit... L.A. STYLE

Do you have an idea for something that the chapter could do to make membership even more valuable? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to hear about it. valarieh@pacbell.net

Transforming LA Through Sustainable Design. Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Le t t er F r o m T h e Pre s i de n t 2011 Kickoff Letter Patrick Comerford, President

and taking advice from your predecessors (Why reinvent a perfectly round wheel?). Thanks, Kathy Greenway. The simple fact that this job (volunteer position) has been done very well in the recent past is proof that the support system designed into our governance structure (translation: Put the right people in the right jobs with clearly defined responsibilities and goals) works. However, the system works only because of the people doing the tasks.

Thank you to the Board of Directors (BOD) for its efforts on managing the affairs of the chapter these past Our Board size has changed and in the six months. The transition from one past 6 months from sixteen to eleven management style (Kathy Greenway’s) to members. This reduction should allow my method of keeping things moving are us to be more nimble in our operations very different, and the BOD has adjusted while still serving the interest of all LACSI to this change. In particular, Jan Piccola members. There have been several and Frank Bostrom appointments to have given me great Executive Board advice about specific member status There are numerous tasks for challenges that from within the the position of President and go along with the BOD due to some the learning process can be position. Michael resignations. greatly accelerated by...taking Fuller and Mitch Buzz Harwood Lawrence have been advice from your predecessors. has graciously constant advisors to accepted the role me: The ‘road trip’ of Vice President while carpooling #1 taking Dean Vlahos’ place (We will to the West Region Conference at the miss you Dean.) Buzz has taken the Tenaya Lodge (near Yosemite National responsibility for oversight of ‘all things Park) is especially memorable. There communications’ for the chapter. This are numerous tasks for the position of great newsletter (thanks Laura Sellmer), President and the learning process can be the website (newbies Tan Diep and Susan greatly accelerated by ‘eating humble-pie’

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Foster), and all announcements for chapter activities (Ed Buch) are an integral part of the success of the chapter. I am confident that Buzz will do a thorough job of managing this and would welcome any volunteers who want to share their talents (of communicating) with the chapter. Kathryn Marek has taken over the duties of Secretary from Michael Fuller; one of the many tasks Michael performed for the chapter. He will be in a mentoring role for the Secretary, Webmaster, and Education Committee. We will miss Michael’s direct involvement; however, his influence in LACSI will be felt throughout our organization. Kathryn has been involved with the Certification Classes put on by the Education Committee through Eric Loyd for the past several years and is a veteran Board of Directors member. Kathryn’s oversight responsibilities include several committees critical to the health of the chapter: Both the Membership (Valarie Harris) and Emerging Professionals (Josh Reed) committees contribute to the financial well being and leadership training for the chapter. Finally, Mitch Lawrence has been given numerous tasks to perform since last June. Mitch has tackled the bylaws changes to our chapter governance with help from various LACSI veterans. His work with the Continued on page 4  3

Le t t er fr o m t h e p re s i de n t

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 Continued from page 3 Long Range Planning Committee has updated those documents (written 50+ years ago) and he will alter the ‘Rules of the Board’ and make the operating procedures current. Mitch has also taken charge of the Education Committee and has oversight for the programs which keep our Chapter relevant in the local construction community. This group of people who keeps the chapter operating is committed to increasing membership value for you. I am proud to be a part of it. If you would be interested in getting involved with chapter activities, please go the website and contact the committee chair for your particular area of interest, come to a chapter dinner meeting (We are almost always there.), or call me.

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Patrick Comerford Cell: 805-402-2167 Jerry L. Pozo, BS ,CSI, CDT Architectural/Technical Consultant

Cell: 408.595.2031 Phone/Fax: 530.885.6828 E: jpozo@bmi-products.com www.bmi-products.com

Need a membership badge? Contact Vince at Vincent.Overmyer@ verizon.net or Melissa Higgins of Merlex then check at the registration table at the next monthly membership meeting.

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UPCO M IN G M E M B E R SHIP M E E TIN G

JAnuary LACSI PROGRAM LAX THEME BUILDING: Restoration and Seismic Upgrade Gin Wong Associates, Architects, led a professional team consisting of structural, geotechnical, and wind engineers in an architectural restoration and seismic strengthening project at the LAX Theme Building, one of the most important and iconic images of Los Angeles. It was designated Historic-Cultural Landmark No. 570 in 1992. The project began following the failure in the plaster on one of the signature “arches” supporting the building. The project was expanded to include seismic strengthening of the building using a highly innovative TUNED MASS DAMPER to resolve the excessive lateral motion that the building would experience during a major seismic event. The TMD structural solution provided the most cost effective and least visible solution to strengthening the Theme Building. This is the first time a tuned mass damper has been used for seismic design – they have been used in the past on very tall structures such as the Citicorp headquarters in NY, the John Hancock Tower in Boston, and Taipei 101 to resist high wind forces. The project was completed in June of 2010. The restoration of the plaster on the exterior arches included passive and active measures to prevent any further long term long term corrosion damage. These included various types of waterproofing for the plaster skin, and mechanical ventilation within the void space between the plaster skin and the structural steel box girder. The presentation will be made by Millard Lee, AIA, Principal – Gin Wong Associates, Architects, and Kit Miyamoto, SE, Principal – Miyamoto International, Structural Engineers.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm 7:45 pm

Social Dinner After Dinner Program

Reservations Reservations required by 4:00, Mon., January 24. Call 213-243-6658 or reserve at www.lacsi.org Cost LACSI MEMBERS With advance reservations: FREE Without reservations: $10 NON MEMBERS With reservations: $50 Without reservations: $60 Location The Grand, Long Beach Event Center 4101 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815 Exit I-405 at Lakewood Blvd., South. Go 1 block south to Willow and turn right. Los Angeles Thomas Guide: Pg. 795, Grid J3. Parking Parking is free in the adjacent parking structure. PRogram Chairman Ed Buch, CSI, CCS, AIA

UPCO M IN G M E M B E R SHIP M E E TIN G

JAnuary VENTURA CSI PROGRAM The Ten Steps to Access Common Sense Considerations based on ADAAG & CBC 11B By James V. Vitale, AIA, LEED AP, CASp 007, RCI Jim Vitale will present a lively seminar on the “need-toknows” about access. Taught from the perspective of “from the boards to the trenches”, he will provide recent project examples of city, state and federal projects, as architect, plan reviewer, inspector and expert witness. The presentation will also include changes to CA disabled access regulations taking effect on January 1st. Jim is an architect with over four decades of diversified public and private sector experience as a DSA Senior Architect-Access Compliance; an adjunct professor in the Construction Technology Department at Mt San Antonio College, a lecturer, curriculum development specialist, Accessibility “SME” subject matter expert to the state architect for CASp program implementation, a CASp “Certified Access Specialist”, DSA Academy instructor, a Registered Construction Inspector and an expert witness in State and Federal courts.

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Wednesday, January 18, 2011 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm 7:15 pm - 8:15 pm

Disabled Access Seminar Part 1 Dinner Disabled Access Seminar Part 2

Reservations Reservations required by 4:00, Mon., January 14. Call 213-243-6658 or reserve at www.lacsi.org Cost All CSI and AIA members and guests are welcome to attend. LACSI MEMBERS With advance reservations: $20 NON MEMBERS With advance reservations: $60 Location Four-Points Sheraton Hotel 1050 Schooner Dr. Ventura, CA 93001

Disabled Access Seminar- Seminar begins at 4:00 PM This seminar will provide 3 of the 5 hours of disabled access education required for CA architects license renewal in 2011. 3 - AIA HSW CEU/LUs will be available for the evening. Table top displays Table top displays are available for $50. Please contact Steve Nicolai for information at 714-538-5515. 6

Tr a n s f o rm i n g L . A . T h r o u g h S u s ta i n a b l e D e s i g n

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TRANSFORMIT... LA STYLE Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Marriott, Los Angeles, 333 South Figueroa Street

Seminar #A1 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Green Building Products: Verification of Manufacturers’ Claims (1LU, HSW, SD) Attendees will gain an understanding of how manufacturers’ claims for green building products are verified by independent third-party certification systems. Learn how manufacturers obtain and provide technical information using independent testing laboratories and other resources. Understand how documentation is provided for LEED using: • Manufacturer’s letters • Product data sheets • Materials safety data sheets • Official website information This session will discuss how LEED and green building submittal forms could be standardized by CSI.

About the Presenters Ashley Foster is the Sustainability Manager for Scientific Certification Systems in Emeryville, CA. She works primarily with the Life Cycle Services Team and participates in numerous standards development processes, including EPEAT and the SCS 002 draft ANSI standard for life-cycle assessment and develops new certifications for SCS. Prior to joining SCS, Ashley Foster was an environmental chemist and principal designer with the USEPA on the PM 2.5 Air Quality Monitoring Program. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Engineering from Oregon Health and Sciences University and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Mary Washington.

Kelly Ingalls is the president of KMI Building Industry Consulting, Inc. in Burbank, CA. KMI is an independent consulting practice specializing in sustainable design measures. As an environmental chemist and principal designer, KMI concentrates on waste management and recycling for the building industry. KMI provides LEED AP services for USGBC with LEED-NC, LEED-CI, and LEED-CS projects. KMI consults during all phases of a project with owners and developers, architects, and general contractors to coordinate LEED certifications from the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

KMI

Kelly Ingalls is the chair of the LACSI Sustainability Committee which is developing sustainable design and construction resources to support education events for our chapter.

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Seminar #A2 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Green Specifications & Document Management (1LU, HSW, SD) The seminar will cover nuts and bolts of incorporating LEED requirements into the specification, and the management of construction documents. Specific topics include: • How a well written specification supports sustainable design documentation • Which critical construction processes to specify in LEED projects. • How complete product data submittals support LEED process • Avoiding traps of creating special submittal routing and review. • The important relationship between specifications, risk management and cost control. About the Presenters James Weiner, AIA, USGBC Charter LEED Faculty and Faculty Mentor Principal of Collaborative Project Consulting. Jim founded Collaborative as a natural progression after 30 years a design architect and educator. He is an

internationally recognized thought leader in architecture and sustainable building. He has been directly involved in Green Building policy working with the USGBC, major utilities, universities, and local governments.

Paul Simonsen, FCSI, NCARB, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP is owner of Technical Resources Consultants, an architectural specifications consulting firm with over more than 25 years’ experience in architectural specifications, quality assurance and construction contract administration. Paul is a registered architect, a Fellow of CSI, a certified construction specifier, and a certified construction contract administrator.

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• Areas of risk for design professionals, • Legal concerns related to the “New CalGreen Code.” Seminar participants will be encouraged to pose questions and comments from the floor following the presentation.

Ted Senet, Esq. is a partner in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas law firm of Gibbs, Giden, Locher, Turner, & Senet LLP, and has practiced law for over 30 years in the areas of real property, insurance, construction and environmental law. He is a LEED AP, serving on the Board of the LA USGBC. Prior to joining Gibbs, Giden, Locher, Turner & Senet LLP, Mr. Senet was Regional Counsel for Lawyers Title Insurance Company, with responsibility for insurance claims handling, insurance underwriting, Seminar #B 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. regulatory and real property matters. Since joining Legal Issues with Going Green Gibbs, Giden, Locher, Turner & Senet LLP in (1LU, HSW, SD) 1984, Mr. Senet has represented public entities, This seminar covers potential legal issues corporate owners, developers, commercial general surrounding green building implementation contractors, residential builders, and design and use of products associated with LEED professionals in complex construction litigation, buildings and other green building projects. class action litigation, environmental claims, Topics include: insurance claims and major tort litigation. He has been involved in planning, development, • Potential liabilities for the selection of a construction, and dispute resolution on numerous particular “Green Rating System,” major projects, including high rise buildings, hospitals, airports, power and processing plants, • Current litigation involving sustainable design refineries, manufacturing facilities and large

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residential developments. Mr. Senet is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry. Mr. Senet has taught courses on construction, insurance and real property law, and has authored a number of articles on construction and insurance.

PRODUCT SHOW 5:00 to 7:00 pm Seminar #C 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The California Green Building Code Compliance Transformation (2LU, HSW, SD)

This seminar compares the requirements of the newly applicable 2010 CALGreen Code with locally adopted variants of green building regulations. The course will show how to use comparison matrices and documentation tools developed for both Residential &Non-Residential projects. The interpretative matrices compare the requirements of LEED Green Point Rated with the measures of the 2010 GREEN CODE while the documentation tools are used to demonstrate to building inspectors that CALGreen measures are being met. This is an opportunity to learn how to apply CALGreen in practice in order to meet code compliance by using supporting matrices and tools.

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About the Presenters Lynn N. Simon, FAIA, LEED® AP, , is President of Simon & Associates, Inc., a nationally recognized green building consulting firm. Lynn is a green building pioneer and a leading authority in the industry with over 19 years in the green building arena. She has served on the Board of Directors of several building industry organizations, including the AIA San Francisco Chapter Board for four years and the USGBC Board for six years. Lynn currently serves on USGBC’s Education Steering Committee and LEED Steering Committee. She is a Senior LEED Faculty member, a LEED AP, a Certified Green Building Professional, and an AIA Fellow (2009).

Steven Winkel, FAIA, PE, CASp manages San Francisco Bay Area office of The Preview Group, Inc., an architectural consulting firm specializing in building code and regulatory issues. Steve has nearly 40 years experience as a licensed architect, civil engineer, landscape architect and Certified Access Specialist. Past President of the AIA East Bay Chapter and the

AIA California Council, he has served on the AIA National Board of Directors. While on the Board he served for two years as chairman of AIA Codes and Standards Committee. Steve is a Governor’s appointee serving four terms as the Architect Commissioner on the California Building Standards Commission. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences and is a member of the City of Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission and immediate pastchair of that Commission.

THE LOS ANGELES CHAPTER

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E D UCATION CO M M ITT E E

CSI certification Classes Los Angeles, CA 90089 CSI Certification Exams

For the 5th consecutive year, LACSI is offering the following certification preparation classes for: ÐÐ Architects

ÐÐ Manufacturer’s Representatives

ÐÐ Specifiers

ÐÐ Construction Managers

ÐÐ Engineers

ÐÐ Others interested in continuing their professional development.

ÐÐ Contractors

The CSI certification program is an excellent, industry-recognized way to enhance your professional skills and to gain increased recognition in the design and construction community. Certification demonstrates a superior level of understanding, professional commitment, credibility, knowledge, and experience in construction documents. • CEUs • C

T R UC T I

EDUCATI

Saturdays, Jan 22 - Mar 12, 2011

The CDT, CCS, CCCA and CCPR Certification Exams are offered nationwide only at Prometric test centers during the first week in April 2011. For more information on these exams and to register online, go to www.csinet.org under Certification/CSI’s Certification Exams. Registration and payment for all exams must be done directly with the Institute. Early and Final Exam Registration Deadlines have not yet been announced, but are typically in late January and late February respectively.

NETWOR

Certification Preparation Classes for CDT, CCS, CCCA & CCPR exams

9:00 am – 12:00 Noon

Plus the Review of AIA 201 offered for all 4 exam prep series, Saturday, March 26.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR LACSI PREP CLASSES Register online at www.lacsi.org

Mock Exam for CDT, CCS, CCCA and CCPR: Saturday Mar 19, 2011, 8:00am – 12 Noon All classes are taught by architects, specifiers, and product representatives who have passed the exams. Location: All Prep Classes and the Mock Exam will be given at University of Southern California, Capital Construction Development, 3434 S. Grand Ave. (at the intersection of Grand & Jefferson Blvd.)

Each class will earn 3 AIA CEUs/LUs per session (and .3 CSI CENs)

Upcoming event

The CSI Academies

Real Construction World Solutions

• The Product Representative Academy • The Construction Specifier Academy • The Contract Administrator Academy

Feb. 24 - 26, 2011

The Adolphus Hotel, Dallas, TX Register online now www.csinet.org/academies

L "I got some new knowledge from each and every presentation. This is a terrific forum for finding out how others do what they do."

Accommodations at the Adolphus

–David Calahan, CSI, CCCA

Room rate per night: $149 (Deluxe) • $189 (Junior Suite)

The CSI Academies

Reservation deadline: February 2, 2011

– providing real construction world solutions. For more than 60 years, CSI has focused on improving construction communication between architects, specifiers, product reps and others to save money, time and stress for all the parties. The CSI Academies are your chance to learn the construction industry skills that can improve your performance. Designed for experienced professionals, the Academies: • Instill confidence by teaching you the roles and responsibilities of all the construction teams, and how they should interact (and what to do when they don’t!) • Improve your marketability and productivity today with skills and information you can use immediately

To make a reservation: Call 800-221-9083 Group reservation code:

Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)

"The most beneficial portion was the sharing of ideas and practices during presentation from both the presenter and the audience. Real world practices." – Travis Norris, CSI, CCCA

"Definitely, very enriching and informative, simply excellent! "

"I liked that all three academies were together, I think it's good to step into the other guys shoes."

– Karla Toledo, CDT

– Patrick Raney, CSI

Education sessions are focused on small, intense group work in three areas of practice:

Product Representative Academy (PRA) Become a product representative who understands more than the product – know where and how you fit into the construction process, and become a useful resource the design team will call on again and again. We’ll teach you best practices for presenting products and supporting the design and construction teams. Manufacturers will tell you what you need to know about their products – we’ll give you the skills to present that information and succeed in the commercial construction community.

Contract Administrator Academy (CAA) No where else will you find intense training for experienced administrators focused on general skills for managing construction documentation, front-end documents, and general conditions. The information and skills you gain you’ll be able to use tomorrow!

Construction Specifier Academy (CSA) Let CSI, the most respected specifications information source in the U.S., teach you the best practices in specifying, LEED specifications, and BIM data management. Courses will focus on specifying in the real world and current issues, including getting LEED requirements into the documentation and understanding how to communicate specifications in BIM.

Construction Specifier Academy

Product Representative Academy Track I

Track II

Contract Adminstrator Academy

Thursday February 24, 2011

Opening Remarks

1:00 - 1:15 pm 1:15 - 2:00 pm

Social Media is Your New Networking Tool

2:00 - 3:00 pm

How Understanding Div. 1 & General Requirements Keeps the Product Rep Out Of Trouble

Trade Shows Don't Die Unless You Kill Them

BIM and Specs The Missing Link

01 10 00 Preconstruction Activities

3:15 - 4:15 pm

I'm Not Just a Product Rep I'm Your Free Consultant!

What Do You Mean I'm Liable?

Leading the Parade from behind the Elephant

01 26 00 Contract Modifications

4:15 - 5:15 pm

What Do Owners Want and Need From Us?

What is it and How Do I Protect My Products?

The CSI Academies 2011 Schedule February 24–26, 2011 • Dallas , TX

GENERAL SESSION

5:30 - 6:15 pm

The Project Manual: Keeping all the Pieces in Play

01 25 00 Substitutions

Welcome Reception Friday February 25, 2011

Continental Breakfast

7:00 - 8:00 am

8:00 - 9:00 am

Trade Shows Don't Die Unless You Kill Them

How to Get Specified - The Proper Care and Feeding of a Specifier

9:00 - 10:00 am

The Eleventh Hour Of Bidding Part1

10:15 - 11:15 am

The Eleventh Hour Of Bidding Part 2

11:15 - 12:15 pm

The Eleventh Hour Of Bidding Part 3

12:15 - 1:15 pm

1:15 - 2:45 pm

Anatomy of a Specification Part 1 - General

01 29 00 Payment Procedures

Recent Code Changes that Affect Specifications

01 31 19 Anatomy of O/A/C Meeting

Anatomy of a Specification Part 2 - Products

01 31 20 Site Visits 01 32 00 Construction Schedules

Keynote Speaker "Drop Dead PowerPoint Presentations"

LUNCH

The Substitution Game

Anatomy of a Specification Part 3 - Execution

Knock Out Box Lunch Strategies

00 72 00 General Conditions 00 73 00 Supp Conditions

90 minute sessions

3:00 - 4:00 pm

What's So Important About That Spec Section? How to Read it & Understand What You Need to Provide

Give Me Your Sales Pitch - Learn How To Really Sell Your Product

Effectively Using Alternates Without Torturing Contractors

01 33 00 Submittals and Substitutions

4:00 - 5:00 pm

Gen Y-r's, Gen X-r's & Baby Boomers - Trying to Get Along & Communicate In Today's Construction World

Give Me Your Sales Pitch Critiques - Practice What You've Learned

LEED Specifications: Correct Principles and Practices

01 50 00 Temporary Facilities

Saturday February 26, 2011 Continental Breakfast

7:00 - 8:00 am

*Schedule and sessions are subject to change.. For the most up-to-date session listing, additional information, or speaker biographies visit www.csinet.org/academies

8:00 - 9:00 am

Warranties - Misunderstood And Now Your Problem

Blueprint 101 - or How Do I Find All My Stuff

The Product Rep is your Best Friend

9:00 - 10:00 am

Don't Green Wash Your Company into the Penalty Box

Mastering The Steps of Construction

What Are All These Voices in My Head, and How Do I Deal With Them?

01 70 00 Project Closeout

Project Closeout Unravelled

01 91 00 Commissioning

10:15 - 11:15 am 11:15 - 12:15 pm

Product Representation Roundtable

CLOSING SESSION

01 40 00 QA / QC

Q & A Panel Discussion with Track Leaders

W e s t R eg i o n C o r n er T h e New s Craig Mount, CSI, CDT, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, West Region President

To find information about the upcoming Chapter and Region events, please go to the Region website www.csiwestregion. org and use it. Please post your chapter activities there so we can enjoy your success and participate whenever possible. Region committees have pages showing their best practices and helpful tools. In addition, many of you anticipate that this article will give an update on Region activities. And that is a good goal and often done. But this issue, I want to focus somewhere else. My Recent Experience with Perception I would like to talk about patience and perception. Recently - well for over a year now - I have had one IT problem after another at work as I try to develop a unified specification master, policy and procedures for the mega-company where I work. Fun!! I surmise that most of you have had IT problems at work or computer problems at home. And I doubt you use the word “fun” to describe them. More like “challenging”?

Or maybe “%&$*# annoying” is more accurate? Have you lost your patience a couple times? I know I did just yesterday.

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am right? While I want to say yes – I know the answer is NO. Her viewpoint (perception) of the hotel is really just as valid as mine. (This reminds me of my home remodeling project a year ago.)

So last night after a “challenging” IT problem day, I stopped after So back to the IT issues. work and had dinner I do not know anyone who gets After dinner, I walked and a beer at the bar at out of bed in the morning and back to the office late last the LA Biltmore Hotel. says to themselves “Gee I am night and reread my latest And being the shy guy going to do a crappy job today direction to the IT person. I am, two professional and make life as difficult as I Could he possibly have read young ladies and I can for everyone else”. my clear concise complete started talking. I love the instructions differently than Biltmore, especially the I intended? Did he have inside with its restored a totally different perception of the same email crystal chandeliers, marble cherubs on the and problem? Is that possible? Duh. That’s corner columns, classic deep-colored intricate exactly what happened. Could I have taken a woodwork. Wow- check it out. But one of few moments earlier in the day, before I lost the ladies expressed a different view – she my patience, and seen the same thing? Yep, described it as depressing and fussy - right out probably. of the movie The Shining – a cross between the Haunted House on the Hill and the Titanic. So in this new year, try to take a moment and consider that someone else may see something We obviously had totally different viewpoints of 180 degrees different from what you see, even in the exact same space – one icky; one beautiful, the exact same situation. And it’s ok. I do not elegant and classic. OMG – what’s wrong with know anyone who gets out of bed in the morning her!! It’s an extraordinary hotel. and says to themselves “Gee I am going to do One lite beer later and a little more chatting, a crappy job today and make life as difficult as I I came to realize (slowly), she simply prefers can for everyone else”. So go hug your IT person clean simple lines and motif – like an Omni or your computer. Rejoice in other people’s Hotel. The reason is really unimportant – it’s viewpoints. Appreciate your own. Be patient her perception and reaction – she doesn’t give people a break. Smile and have good cheer. like the Biltmore decor. For me, I appreciate Give yourself a break. That will probably be the and enjoy simple and clean, or classic and greatest gift you can give. fussy. But does that mean she is wrong and I 14

J A N U A R Y / FE B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1 Useful resources still standing today, one would think its construction 4,500 years ago would have been impossible.

Until the construction of the Washington Monument in 1885, the Great Pyramid of Khufu was the tallest man made structure in the world. Smith calculates the finished How the Great Pyramid was Built height of the pyramid to be 481 ft. with by Craig B. Smith the average length on each side at the Finally, here’s a book describing the base to be 756 ft. It is comprised of an construction of a significant world estimated 2 Million cut pieces of limestone monument told from the perspective of each weighing anywhere from 2,000 lbs an engineer. Unlike Steven Ambrose’s to 10,000 lbs. The precision of the work is book on the extraordinary with construction of the the variation in trans-continental length of less than Until the construction of the railroad in the 1860s 4” on each side, Washington Monument in or even Mathew measured at the Parker’s “Panama 1885, the Great Pyramid of base of the pyramid, Fever”, describing and the levelness Khufu was the tallest man the construction of across the entire first made structure in the world. the Panama Canal, course varying by Craig B. Smith’s less than ¾”. book, “How the Smith’s approach was to take modern Great Pyramid was Built” focuses on project management scheduling the planning and the details of the techniques along with an assumed work construction itself. In the absence of any breakdown structure and apply these to written records, the book provides the the facts of pyramid and to what is known logic and insight necessary to understand of Egyptian society at that time. Using how the construction of the Great Pyramid this approach Smith draws conclusions of Khufu at Giza, Egypt, took place, a about the duration of construction, (5 to project so immense and constructed with 8 years), the number of workers required such primitive tools, that if it weren’t for construction, (30,000 during the 3 Ed Buch, CSI, AIA, West Region Secretary

years of peak construction activity), and the methods for moving the stones from the quarry to the pyramid and then up to their required positions, (no wheels or rollers, only wooden sledges pulled by teams of workers up long ramps). Smith also observes that while the construction activities were simple, the huge number of workers required to carry out these tasks put a premium on careful planning of all activities. This planning had to consider housing and feeding of the workers and their families, the manufacture of copper, wood, and stone tools, the quarrying of the stone, transport of the stone to the site, and to the final placement of the stone. Smith’s conclusion concerning the central question of how the cut blocks of stone were moved up the pyramid is based on the idea that the Egyptians would have taken the path of least resistance. This immediately eliminates the use of an external ramp for moving stone up the entire height of the pyramid since its length, and the amount of material necessary for its construction, would have exceeded the total amount of material necessary for the pyramid itself. Rather, he theorizes a combination approach was used. This meant a wide external Continued on page 16  15

L uchnotes b

 Continued from page 15 ramp was used up to the 55th course of stone. By this point nearly half of all the stone would have been in place. From the 55th course up to the top of the pyramid, at course 218, a ramp was let into the four sides of the pyramid as its construction continued upward. Once the top was reached, the ramp was filled in from the top down. Craig Smith is the retired former chairman of DMJM, H+N. He wrote this excellent little book based on his personal research including extensive time at the site. This researched was combined with his experiences in the management of major design and construction projects around the world during his years at DMJM, H+N. The book was published by Smithsonian Books in 2004. It has 288 pages including many photographs and useful drawings. It also includes a primer on construction program management which would be helpful for readers not familiar with the planning and construction of large projects. “A great architect is not made by way of a brain nearly so much as he is made by way of a cultivated, enriched heart..“ –Frank Lloyd Wright

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Membership News– January & February

NEW Members Welcome to all these new members! We look forward to meeting you at chapter activities: ÐÐ William Harris, LG Hausys America ÐÐ Linda Beran, Koroseal Interior Products Group ÐÐ Stephanie Oestreich, Arcadia ÐÐ Scott Falconer, Student, Los Angeles Trade Tech

More than 25 Years Ago: ÐÐ Hank Hinman, CSI Member Emeritus, Amorium Industrial ÐÐ Craig Gilbert, RA, CSI, CCS CG Associates ÐÐ Adolph Ziemba, CSI Adolph Ziemba AIA & Associates ÐÐ Dean Hanselman, CSI, CDT Architect

10 Years Ago: ÐÐ Dzung N. Ha, CSI, CCS, CCCA

Member Recognition Congratulations to all these members who joined in January or February and have maintained continuous membership.

ÐÐ Amir Rudyan, CSI AVM Industries

5 Years Ago: ÐÐ John McQuown, CSI, CDT Construction Administrator

More than 40 Years Ago: ÐÐ Al Grossman, CSI Member Emeritus ÐÐ Jerry Orland, FCSI, CCS Orland Consulting Group ÐÐ Ali Alimento, PE, CSI Member Emeritus, Alimento Consulting Assoc. ÐÐ Morley Simon, CSI Member Emeritus, Consulting Architect ÐÐ Eugene Trotter, CSI Member Emeritus

J A N U A R Y / FE B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1

In Memoriam

Valerie Harris, FCSI CCPR

M em b er s h i p C o mm i t t ee New s We are all volunteers. We need your help and it’s good for you and your business, too. Sharpen your public speaking skills, hone management/leadership skills, make strong professional contacts and while you share your time, you will have a good time. To help or share your ideas, just contact our President, Patrick Comerford, CSI sos002@ earthlink.net or Membership Co- Chairs, Valarie Harris, FCSI, CCPR valarieh@ pacbell.net and Teena Santiago, CSI, CDT TSantiago@leoadaly.com.

Gene I. Granich, a long time CSI member and specifications consultant, died at his home in Bakersfield on May 22, 2010. Gene was one of the first independent specifications consultants in Los Angeles. He worked with Harold Keller who established the first specifications consultant business in the 1960’s. When Harold retired, Gene acquired part of the business. He continued to work, first in Los Angeles and later in Tehachapi for about 35 years. 17

Le t t er fr o m t h e ed i t o r

Thank you steve taylor It’s hard to believe it’s been over three years. Day One of this volunteer newsletter assignment, Steve Taylor and I met with Craig Mount, so he could launch us as the new Co-Editors of the LACSI Newsletter. At that time, Craig was the immediate past President of LACSI and I barely knew Steve or Craig at all. After over eight hours of Craig teaching

us the ropes, we agreed that a photo of our trio sporting visors would make us look like a real newsroom staff. With our work spread out on the table, we pulled out our visors, grabbed a passerby off the street to take a photo, and snapped the historic shot of the LACSI newsletter in production. In September 2007, the picture appeared in our first issue as Co-Editors. Craig went on to become the President of the West Region. As 2010 came to a close, Steve decided it was time to step down from his volunteer

J A N U A R Y / FE B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1

role as Co-Editor of this publication. I could not let this transition happen without thanking Steve for his immeasurable contribution, constant support and warmth of heart. The LACSI Newsletter’s monumental transformation last year was manageable only because Steve was a steady hand on the wheel. His calm, his cheer and his patience have made the tasks lighter. The chance to work with Steve and get to know him has been the very best part of this job. Thank you, Steve, for the generous gift of your time and talent. Laura Sellmer, CDT, MBA, LEED AP, Editor

September 2007. Craig Mount (center) showing the new Co-Editors Steve Taylor (left) and Laura Sellmer (right) how the newsletter gets done. 18

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MISSION

Did you know LACSI is a mem ber of the

U.S. Green Building Council? As an LACSI member, you can take advantage of our USGBC Membership and enjoy the benefits by registering on the USGBC.org website. Sign-in or register on www.USGBC.org, click onto “membership” under “your account” and connect with LA CSI. Request the connection and receive USGBC benefits: ÐÐ Discounts on reference guides, study guides, LEED Implementation guides, USGBC Education webinars and online courses, LEED exam ÐÐ Access to USGBC Member Directory

The Mission of the Los Angeles Chapter of The Construction Specifications Institute is to provide its members the opportunity to share information about materials and methods of construction, and to promote improved preparation, delivery and use of construction documents. The Chapter fosters the professional development of its members and provides service to the construction industry by promoting education, research, certification, recognition of outstanding accomplishments, and networking opportunities within the Chapter, Region, Institute, and construction industry.

‘USGBC’ and related logo is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission.

Knowledge for Creating and Sustaining the Built Environment National website: www.csinet.org Los Angeles Chapter: www.lacsi.org

Newsletter Editor Laura Sellmer: Lsellmer@isecinc.com THE LOS ANGELES Designed by Tarvin Commercial Art CHAPTER

THE LOS ANGELES CHAPTER