Overview:

As design team backgrounds have changed in the commercial construction industry, and new members begin their careers, we frequently encounter situations where there is an evaluation of submitted shop drawings which results in a returned or rejected submittal which, in fact, was correct.This was the case of the Wymont ER and Hospital project.

The concern was identified by a Project Engineer Intern at the general contractor’s office. Upon reviewing the shop drawings, he felt he noticed several dimension inaccuracies that needed correction before submission to the architect.

Key Challenges and Solutions

1. Dimension Adjustments
   The architect had designed the curtain wall corners with a 7-1/2" depth, similar to storefront corners. However, curtain walls require a  2-1/2" mullion, plus clearance, and then the brake metal corner cap leading to a misinterpretation by the reviewer.
  
2. Mullion Selection
   There was a discrepancy between the architect's elevation (which showed a 5” sill member) and the architectural detail (which showed a standard 2-1/2”mullion). We followed the architect’s details as the guiding factor, which aligned with the glazing contractor’s scope.

After carefully reviewing the architecturals and comparing them with the marked-up PDF notes from the general contractor, we identified that the issues raised were standard adjustments necessary for the system, such as caulk joint allowances and frame depth requirements.

Clarification and Alignment:‍

We made several adjustments for further clarity and included an explanation foreach of the concerns within the redlined set, including breaking out curtainwall elevations and including detailing and notes to them, adding additional dimensioning and labels, and including explanations at the details.

Landmark communicated these changes back to the glazing contractor, emphasizing an understanding of the importance of ensuring that the revised drawings were clear and met the architectural requirements.

‍Outcome:

Landmark’s thorough review and adjustments addressed the issues identified by the project engineer. The revised shop drawings met the necessary standards for submission to the architect and were approved. ensuring that the installation would proceed without further dimension-related complications.

Lessons Learned:

1. Importance of Detail:
   This case highlights the critical importance of attention to detail in shop drawings, particularly when interpreting architectural plans and specifications
  
2. Clear Communication
   Effective communication between all parties, especially when discrepancies arise, is vital to ensure that project specifications are met accurately.
  
3. Proactive Problem-Solving:
   Identifying potential issues before submission to the architect can prevent delays and ensure smoother project progression.

This case study illustrates how careful review, clear communication, and proactive problem-solving can effectively resolve technical issues in complex architectural projects.

‍