I was reading the Los Angeles Times a few months back and there was an article “L.A. takes a step toward tighter rules to curb Mansionization.” and it brought back so many memories for me. Each of the 2,500 projects I have been the architect on needed an area calculation. How big can we build? How can I take advantage of the spatial configuration and still meet all the programming issues? Which codes will govern? How will the plan checker respond to the design?

The answers to these questions are getting tougher especially when the building codes are always in flux. Now it seems the building codes change at each plan check appointment, even on the same type of projects. Each plan checker is using different parts of the code, or not, and that is what sets your parameters on design. If you take the most restrictive interpretations of the governing restrictions your client probably will not be very happy. The reason is they see other architects getting to do what you or your plan checker say the code says you can’t.

Architects’ Design Team Compensation

The design team is not just the Architect. It can include many different designers and specialists. They all get compensated similar to the Architect with similar fee structure considerations. From civil, structural, heating/ air conditioning/ plumbing/ electrical engineers; landscape architects, acoustical, low voltage, design specialist consultants, all need to have an agreement defining their roles in relation to the greater project. Each consultant needs to be given all information as it is being designed. Each consultant needs their efforts managed, checked, and distributed. This is a very involved process with a tremendous amount of effort required to coordinate the entire project. Who is doing this? It is usually the architect. All the requirements for professionalism also apply to each consultant. Do you want someone who plans out the project or just slams it out? Each project requires different consultants. The level of care needed helps determine who is on the team. The architect can assist with that effort. Again, the experience, staffing, IT support, filing systems, insurance, location, hours worked, all affect the team and the results the client can expect.

Is LEED really Pushing Forward? Is LEED going in the right direction? Is LEED having any impact on our carbon foot print? You will be surprise on what the industry leaders are saying about LEED's rating system.

It’s been called a game changer; a catalyst of sea change. It has transformed the way schools, office buildings, skyscrapers, banks, libraries, hotels, homes and even entire neighborhoods across the globe are envisioned, designed, built and operated. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, calls it “an instrument of common expression.” We call it LEED.

With more than 8.3 billion square feet of space around the world participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, its past — and future — success is in large part due to the fact that it is developed by the people who use it.

During a recent USGBC Twitter chat about the next version of LEED 2012, more than 100,000 members of the global green building community joined in, sharing their thoughts, questions and favorite aspects of the changes.

The virtual conversation, the more than 20,000 comments received during the four public comment periods held for LEED 2012, and the barrage of feedback through project teams testing LEED 2012 credits in the Pilot Credit Library provide a snapshot of the vital insight the community has on the subject of LEED and their commitment to being a part of the process.

After undergoing multiple public comment periods, a key step in compiling industry feedback, LEED 2012 is in its final phase of the program delivery process, member ballot. When it makes its debut at Greenbuild 2012 this November in San Francisco, the finalized version will continue to drive industry change and push our collective, global movement forward.

What is the Architect's responsibility to the client for life cycle costing for the design of a project?

In determining the program requirements for a project prior to submitting a proposal for services or helping the client with the analysis in determining the programming requirements for a project at the beginning of services, the architect should discuss life cycle costing issues. This can include the length of time the owner anticipates keeping the property under his or her watch.

There are also speculative and sales advantages for the owner on the sale of a project. Loan options on the development and or sale of the property may also be affected by the life cycle costing issues.

But first we must inform the owner that life cycle costing issues will not have a negative impact on the aesthetic issue of the project. A well-designed site and building using sustainable concepts and building materials can look and perform as well, and maintain better, than a development with no thought into how long the materials specified will last.