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THE WINNER'S CIRCLE

Indianapolis Chapter CSI Newsletter

 April 2012

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Greetings!

April showers bring May flowers...

Seems like we are all springing into action and keeping very busy.  We all would like to thank you for keeping CSI going with your interest in our programs and information.  Please read below all that is happening in CSI and around the industry.
 
As always, please send comments, articles and suggestions to me as they may come up.

 

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 Indianapolis Chapter CSI Newsletter Editor

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Upcoming Events
Programs Committee
 

 

Indianapolis Chapter CSI Education Seminar: Changes to Accessibilty Design Provisions

Thursday April 19, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT

Current and Pending Changes to Accessiblity Standards

Riverwalk Banquet Center

 

Indianapolis Chapter CSI April Chapter Meeting: Value Engineering Through Code Analysis

Thursday April 19, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT

Riverwalk Banquet Center

View from the Tower
Pete Kerfoot, CSI, CDT 
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Congratulations go to Susan Simon and John Arnold for being voted into the Board of Directors at last month's meeting by the Chapter Membership; and to Ed Brown for receiving votes to continue on with another term. The Chapter and current Board thank you in advance for volunteering your time and diligence in managing the Chapter business.

 

The weather has been unseasonably warm the past few months giving avid golfers an early start this year. Early practice couldn't have come at a better time as this year's Bud Reed Memorial Golf Outing is one of the first of the season. Wednesday, May 3rd is the date to set aside for some great Spring fun and camaraderie. Sponsor a hole, create a group or come as a solo; you can register at here

 

 This month's Chapter Meeting presentation will be on ADA and Accessibility. Michael Gentille, CBO, North America Managing Director with Philip Chun, Las Vegas will explain the proper application of Building and Fire code sections to reduce overall cost. While the evening's presentation will be about Value Engineering, there will be a seminar in the afternoon devoted to the changes to Accessibility Design. Both seminar and presentation will be at the River Walk Banquet Center in Broad Ripple, Thursday April 19th. This is an excellent opportunity to catch up on the recent changes. See you there.

I will keep it short this month and end my article with the Starbuck's Gift Card offer. The first person to send an email to pete.kerfoot@curleybrickwestfield.com with the subject heading "Golf" will receive the coveted $10 gift certificate. It's going to be a fun year.

 

  

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Bud Reed Memorial Golf Outing

by Golf Committee

 

 

A date for this year's golf outing has been set!

 

Location:  Golf Club of Indiana

Date:  May 3, 2012

Time:  12:30 Shotgun Start

 

Catering to be provided by Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for dinner.

 

Registration forms can be found here:

 

 


Greening of the
Heartland

USGBC

 

At Greening the Heartland 2012, we will explore interdependent elements of sustainability. While green buildings are critical components in the design of sustainable communities, their key advantages rely on relative pathways and infrastructure - a context we will address in the conference as watts, water, waste and wheels. Providing our buildings with clean energy, a precious supply of water, the efficient use of materials while minimizing waste, and a convenient and sustainable means of arrival results in truly green buildings and sustainable development.

The theme BUILDING COMMUNITY indicates our genuine desire to bring people together to share visions and solutions for sustainable communities in which to work, play, learn and live. We will also seek to join business and community leaders with green building professionals and product suppliers to achieve greater understanding of how environmental, economic and social trends of the maturing 21st century will influence our Heartland communities.

 

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Table Tops

Jeremy Hoffman

Indianapolis Chapter CSI

 

The Indianapolis Chapter of CSI is accepting reservations for Table Tops for upcoming Chapter meetings.  The list of programs for upcoming Chapter meetings is published in this newsletter, the web site, or contact Program chairman Andy McIntyre, so if you would like to target a particular meeting, make sure to get your reservation in early.  We do have a limit of four spaces available for Table Tops in a standard meeting room and 10 if we have a double room.

 

Table Tops are an opportunity to promote your company, products, or services to all attendees of our regular chapter meeting during the social hour.  There is a maximum of 20 minutes for Table Top presentation at a regular Chapter meeting.  You have the floor for maximum of five minutes during the dinner to communicate to the entire group if there are four presenters. If there is a greater demand, the 20 minutes will be divided by the number of presenters and rounded down to the nearest 30 seconds.

 

The Table Top presentations are FREE, one time, to new members, and cost current Indianapolis Chapter members only $75.  Non-members get the same opportunity for $125.  A 30 by 60 table with a cover and skit will be included.  All proceeds go to support the Chapter.

 

Another opportunity for a Table Top is during an Education Seminar.  The cost is if you combine it with the Chapter meeting and Education Seminar the cost would be $100 for current members and $150 for non-members.

 

If you would like to schedule a Table Top for a future meeting or seminar, contact:

 

Jeremy Hoffman - CREW Technical Services

jhoffman@crewtech.com  or (317) 713-7777

Make sure to put 'Table Top Request' in the subject line  


Membership Opportunities 

David Young

Indianapolis Chapter CSI - Membership Committee

 

The Indianapolis Chapter Membership Committee attended the Indiana Subcontractors Association Trade Show on 23 February.  We made the following great contacts of people interested in CSI: 

  • Mike Peine, AirWorx
  • John Knight, Lighting Resources, LLC, 
  • Lena Lucas, USGBC
  • Mike Raftery, Comcast
  • Dwayne Majors, Holosonic Hometheatre
  • Jeremy Adkins, Keystone Construction Corp
  • Evans Wells, Wilhelm Construction
  • Kelley Bowling, Indy Rents
  • Raun Love, CSO Architecture
  • James Kienle, Moody Nolan
  • Rob Butcher, Shiel Sexton
  • Erin Mullen, Blood Hound
  • Tony Dargo, Eastern Engineering
  • Edward Zurface, Weddle Bros. Building Group
  • Ken Campanella, Poynter Sheet Metal 

If you know any these potential members, please contact them.  You may have seen Kelley Bowling, Raun Love, and Ken Campanella at the March meeting.  We hope to gain a number of members from these contacts.  Your assistance toward that goal would be appreciated.

Certification Quiz
Jack Morgan - Quizmaster
 

1.  Sections specifying work or products in an Alternate Bid should:

 

a. Be removed from the Project Manual if the Alternate is not used

b. Cross -reference to Section 01 23 00 - Alternates

c. Never be bound in the Project Manual

d. Never be included in an Addendum

 

2.  Which is the true statement concerning substitutions proposed during the construction phase:

 

a. They are unfair to the unsuccessful bidders.

b. They should be considered only to replace unavailable products or to

c. remedy a situation where a specified product has proven unsuitable.

 

3.  A warranty is a promise that

 

a. a proposition that certain facts are truly as they are represented to be and that they will remain so.

b. A party will undertake collaterally to answer for the payment of another's debt.

 

4.  Which of the following are true about the concept of streamlining:

      

a. Is a specification writing technique that lists products, materials, and reference standards

b. Is difficult to adapt to descriptions or instruction

c. Can be used to reduce verbiage

d. The technique that places the subject first followed by key words for quick reference

e. All of the above

 

5.  Outline Specifications are written for

 

a. Only Divisions 02 - 49 where actual products are discussed

b. Divisions 01 - 49

c. Only Divisions 01 - 14 (excluding excluding mechanical, electrical, and sitework)

d. The exclusive use of the A/E

 

Answers located at the end of this newsletter....

 
 
Certification
 

We would like to recognize Indianapolis Chapter CSI member John Cohrs, AHC/CDC, CCPR for authoring a nice article, "Green Hardware", in the April 2012 Doors & Hardware magazine.  John has also been helping the Certification Committee by teaching the CCPR study classes this spring.  Thanks for your continued support of CSI, Doors & Hardware, and the construction industry, John. 

 
 
March 2012 - New Member Orientation
Mike Brannan, Architect - Orientation Co-Chair
 

  

Preceding the action-packed March 2012 Chapter Meeting, three new members enjoyed a look into the wonderful world of CSI and the Indianapolis Chapter by attending the Indianapolis Chapter's semi-annual New Member Orientation.

 

New Member Orientation explains the history and purpose of the organization, and introduces Orientees to the leaders of the Chapter who enumerate the advantages of membership and how individuals can enhance those advantages by becoming involved in Chapter activities.

Orientations are held twice a year, prior to the March and October or November Chapter meetings. New members must attend orientation in order to receive their CSI lapel pins, which are presented ceremonially at the close of the Orientation.

 

Your Spring 2012 Orientation class:

 

Randy Harding                       RMH Architectural

Dale Hauser                           Guardian Industries

Larry Podojil                          BCPCO LLC

 

Those who assisted with the Orientation:

  • Former Great Lakes Region Institute Director Bob Grabhorn, Architectural Brick and Tile
  • Indianapolis Chapter Board Member Jami Spice, Metal-Era, Inc.
  • Indianapolis Chapter President Pete Kerfoot, Curley Brothers Brick and Masonry
  • Indianapolis Chapter Certification Chair Chuck Thompson, Schmidt Associates
  • Indianapolis Chapter Communications Chair Dan McCloskey, American Structurepoint
  • Indianapolis Chapter Immediate Past President Blake Wagner, Interdesign
  • Indianapolis Chapter Institute Fellow John Fleck
  • Indianapolis Chapter Photographer Ralph Pitman, Sebree Architects

Thanks all those who participated. As always, we would like to suggest that any members who have not taken part in an Orientation should consider doing so.

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Chapter Photos
March 2012

 





 
We hope you have enjoyed seeing these previews of the latest images from our events.  To view more, visit our online photo album.
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Scholarships
Education Foundation 

 

The Indianapolis Chapter CSI Education Foundation has completed the 2012 Scholarship "season" and have been able to award three scholarships this year to a very hard faught submission class.  With over 40 applications to review, it was a very daunting task for the committee to narrow down the field, and we certainly thank all the students for their interest in our scholarship.

 

Our winners this year are: (in alphabetical order)

 

 Courtney Basile - Ball State University

 Thomas Friddle - Ball State University

 Anthony Gary - Ball State University

 

You have the opportunity to donate directly to the foundation in a secure way in order to boost the number and financial quality of the scholarships.  The donations to this foundation are tax deductable.  If you are considering this good deed and have any questions about the tax aspect, please don't hesitate to contact the Foundation.

 

 

What is a Master Builder?
Curmudgeon Corner
  

The master mason was in charge. He was architect and builder rolled into one. He often directed a work force numbering into hundreds. But he also worked among his people. He cut stone and installed plumbing. That puzzles us, wed as we are to the notion that academic and manual knowledge don't mix.
John H. Lienhard, Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering and History, University of Houston; my emphasis.

 

architect: 1550s, from M.Fr. architecte, from L. architectus, from Gk. arkhitekton "master builder, director of works," from arkhi- "chief" + tekton "builder, carpenter". An O.E. word for it was heahcræftiga "high-crafter." Online Etymology Dictionary.

 

About 2,000 years ago, Roman military engineer and architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio wrote De architectura, now commonly known as the Ten Books on Architecture. As I'm sure most readers will know, he said good design required three things - firmitas, utilitas, venustas, or strength, utility, and beauty.

 

We are less familiar with other things Vitruvius had to say about architecture. His first chapter discusses the profession of architecture and the education of the architect.

 

[Architecture] is the child of practice and theory. Practice is the continuous and regular exercise of employment where manual work is done with any necessary material according to the design of a drawing. Theory, on the other hand, is the ability to demonstrate and explain the productions of dexterity on the principles of proportion.

 

It follows, therefore, that architects who have aimed at acquiring manual skill without scholarship have never been able to reach a position of authority to correspond to their pains, while those who relied only upon theories and scholarship were obviously hunting the shadow, not the substance. But those who have a thorough knowledge of both, like men armed at all points, have the sooner attained their object and carried authority with them.

 

...Let him be educated, skilful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention, understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of the jurists, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens.

 

Translation by Morris H. Morgan, PHD, LLD, professor, Harvard University.

 

The ten books address a wide range of other subjects: planning, civil engineering, pavement, plaster, flooring, painting, color, aqueducts, geometry, astronomy, drainage, water mills, hoisting, building technology in general, siege engines, and more. Given the extent of his knowledge, I think we can say Vitruvius was a master builder. He wasn't the first, nor was he the last. As we will see, the profession of the master builder existed throughout much of history, until relatively recently.

 

 How much of the education Vitruvius discusses is found in modern schools of architecture? The curriculum at my alma mater didn't match up too well with what he had in mind. I don't know what is offered at every school of architecture in the US, but I suspect they are similar. High school English, or perhaps another year in college seems to be enough for good writing. My college believed that sketching still lifes and nudes was more valuable than producing working drawings. Hard sciences were, well, too hard for architects, so we had only minimal requirements for math and physics, followed by engineering for dummies. We did have a brush with history, but only of the architectural variety, and that focused on the appearance of buildings rather than their function.

 

Many architecture schools spend years teaching planning and Big D design, give some attention to building systems and professional practice, and spurn construction experience as beneath the dignity of the architect. What did Vitruvius say? "...those who relied only upon theories and scholarship were obviously hunting the shadow, not the substance." To be a master builder requires knowledge of construction materials and how they are assembled.

 

I haven't been around long enough to say from personal experience, but from what I have heard and read, architects were respected people well into the twentieth century, when they still were thought of as "master builders". They knew a lot about the products they used and how they were to be installed, and they probably had hands-on construction experience. And when they visited the project site, the contractors feared the words, "Take it down and do it again - right!" or "Stop the work!"

 

Those days are gone. Today it's more common for the visiting architect to be ignored, sometimes sneered at. Owners don't trust architects as they did in the past; they now feel the need to hire construction managers, owner's representatives, and commissioning agents, each of whom assumes some of the architect's traditional responsibilities.

 

Architects have, over the last few decades, given up many of the services they formerly were expected to perform. This is partly due to the enormously increased complexity of construction and building systems - it is no longer possible for an architect to be familiar with all products - but there has also been a conscious effort to avoid responsibility, to just do the fun stuff. Many schools do not prepare future architects for their jobs; they do students a disservice by encouraging their belief that one day, they will be design architects. The reality is that few architects do Design, while the majority translate the design into drawings and specifications, or, more recently, a model.

Next month, we'll look at some of the things architects have given up.

 © 2012, Sheldon Wolfe, RA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, CSC

Follow me at http://swconstructivethoughts.blogspot.com/,  http://twitter.com/swolfearch

 
notebookBoard of Directors' Minutes
Online Archive 

 

Minutes of the Indianapolis Chapter CSI Board of Directors can be read here.  Please contact the president with any comments or questions.
Standing Reservations 
Meeting Arrangements Committee
For those of you who know you will be attending each chapter meeting and don't want to mess with making sure they have a spot each month, the Chapter offers to its members in good standing the Standing Reservation List.
 
Please review the terms of this program at the following link.
Quiz ANSWERS:  1. - b; 2. - a; 3. - a; 4. - e; 5. - b  
In This Issue
Tower
Golf Outing
GTHL
Table Tops
Quiz
Photos
Meeting Innformation

Date: 
April 19, 2012

Location:
Riverwalk Banquet Center

Fee:
Members: Free
Guests $20
Students: $5
Retired: $5

Time:
5:30 Social Hour
6:30 Dinner
7:15 Mtg/Program 
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