Design professionals should inform their clients of both the benefits and the negative aspects before they decide to design and install a green roof.  To learn more please read the May 2024 Issue of the Building Blocks. Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

A purchase order (PO) is a legally binding document created by a buyer and presented to a seller, or vice versa. It lays out the order details, including quantity and types of products the buyer needs, as well as payment terms and delivery details. But that is for goods (pencils, chairs, flowerpots, etc.). POs are inappropriate for engaging an architect or engineer (A/E) for professional design services, and here is why.  . Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

It depends. Generally speaking, as long as the advertisement does not mislead, deceive or confuse the public, and it is done in good taste, yes. Other professionals do advertise as well. Lawyers and doctors do, but again, as long as it does not mislead the public, and it is done in good taste.  Continue reading the March Building Blocks. Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

“Rule of Thumb” regarding conflicts of interest—in any place in our world, including the design and construction industry, avoid even the appearance of impropriety. This rule is probably the best and most universal rule. A conflict of interest occurs when an individual's personal interests, such as family, friendships, financial, or social factors could compromise a person’s judgment, decisions, or actions in the workplace.  Continuing reading the February Building Blocks. Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

Exigent circumstances have been defined as something that requires immediate attention—for instance, preventing the destruction of evidence, or preventing the escape of a fleeing felon, or preventing harm to somebody. In the design and construction industry, it could mean a wide range of situations, such as project site safety injuries or death, destruction or collapse of a structure, etc. . Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

Here is the December 2023 issue of the Building Blocks - A Case Study of the Fox Guarding the Chicken Coop. Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

Legalese contains long, wordy, complicated sentence structures utilizing passive voice and obsolete formalisms, and the usage of Latin, archaic or unnecessarily long words when simpler and clearer language exists. (Even the prior sentence could be considered too long, and looks a bit “legalese.”) . Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

It would be very poor risk management if the architect or engineer would agree to their client’s request for this scope of services for their project.  Read the entire article in the October Building Blocks Newsletter. Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

It is not hard to imagine, even with the smallest building, that no construction project is built exactly without any changes from its design. That being said, this risk management article is meant to encompass the topic of all of the “Record Documents” for a construction project—not only drawings, but specifications, change orders, requests for information, etc. Continue reading the September 2023 Building Blocks Newsletter. Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more

This month Eric O. Pempus, FAIA, Esq., NCARB explores A.I. and his personal experience of having a risk management conversation with Chatbot. With much focus on the safety of A.I. in the news recently, this is a timely topic.  Read the Building Blocks August issue for Eric's in-depth conversation with Chatbot.  Read the full article at www.designproins.com ..read more