Editor’s Note: We reprint selected items from SFA. To view the full issue,
click here.

The Southern Fried Architect- September 2006 (latest issue to date)
(A clear, complete, concise, and mostly correct, view of stuff happening in the design/construction industry)
By:
Dennis J. Hall, FAIA, FCSI, SCIP: Guy who writes this stuff
Nina M. Giglio, CSI, CCS, Assoc. AIA, SCIP: Editor, Spec Winch, and she who fixes this stuff

MasterFormat.Com
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) have their new website for everything MasterFormat up and working. The intent is to allow users to make comments on future updates of the document right online and streamline the process for review by the MasterFormat Maintenance Task Team. I know that I have a few suggested changes, so give it a try at http://www.MasterFormat.com.


MasterFormat Maintenance Task Team Kicks Off New Initiative
Speaking of MasterFormat updates, the CSI/CSC MasterFormat Maintenance Task Team held their kickoff meeting for FY07 on August 12-13. The task team is comprised of major stakeholders such as Building Systems Design (BSD), ARCOM, Specification Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP), and a few others.

The first task was to establish the general operating procedures and processes, and blame the consultant for all the mistakes he has not made yet. We will be keeping our ears to the ground and report on substantive activities of interest as the task team begins its real work.

AIA Contract Documents to be Released in Late 2007
The American Institute of Architect (AIA) plans to release the next edition of their flagship documents in late fall of next year. The new documents will include some new documents such as a data transfer agreement, digital protocol document, architect’s scope of services for BIM, and a renumbering of many of your favorite other documents such as B-141 and B-151. Don’t worry, A-201 General Conditions of the Contract will retain it number and title.