So how do you like to store your material samples during CA?
We document everything digitally for our records. We also keep physical samples for the duration of the project. Storing the physical samples are a pain though. We are old school and use a combination of a bakers rack for small / flat things and a variety of plastic bins.
I really don't like this as it takes up a bunch of room and clutters the office. I don't see any way around this. ::grumpyface::
JLC-1
Oct 9, 24 2:42 pm
we have a gorilla rack with bins full of samples, but just the ones we like to show - we throw away project specific samples. And we have cabinet doors lining up a conference room wall.
OddArchitect
Oct 9, 24 3:01 pm
We only keep select samples in our library. Everything else we only keep for the duration of the project construction. Some of that construction lasts 2-3 years though. Or office is small and we don't have much storage.
Almosthip
Oct 9, 24 3:09 pm
They are piled up on the table and shelf behind me. Im trying to get enough metal panels to build a garden shed in my back yard.
OddArchitect
Oct 9, 24 3:37 pm
I'm collecting various samples to build a hunting cabin. ;)
pj_heavy
Oct 9, 24 6:43 pm
Controlled samples during CA are always being kept at the site office for all the parties to access them if required , that' the builder job to manage and organise isnt it ?
For design / research , our office library has the policy of "new-in / old out " or if something being replaced by a new product we kindly ask the sale rep to take the old sample back with them. Works well for us so far.
OddArchitect
Oct 10, 24 11:10 am
The GC needs to keep a copy of all submitted samples on site. The architect should also keep a copy of all submitted samples in their office for the duration of the construction.
For our material library we organize it as we see fit and have the reps update / remove samples as needed.
I'm curious about how other architects store submitted material samples for in progress projects.
graphemic
Oct 10, 24 1:00 pm
We do put submittal stickers on samples... which pile up in a bin in the middle of the bay. Someone sighs and tries to organize it from time to time haha.
OddArchitect
Oct 10, 24 1:07 pm
Pretty much what we do except the 'piles' are at our workstations. ;)
pj_heavy
Oct 10, 24 5:30 pm
We just never stored controlled sample in the office / it’s unheard off where i’m practicing. Besides, there’s no way we can keep/ find a space for hundreds of items …don’t think it’s our responsibility either contractually .
curtain wall component , tile , floor vinyls , sanitary fixtures
pj_heavy
Oct 10, 24 5:32 pm
there’s no way to keep everything even on site / some of the items were signed off at sub- contractor factory or ware house and they keep them as a record.
OddArchitect
Oct 10, 24 5:45 pm
Depends where you practice and what contracts being used.
It's easy to argue that AIA contracts require documenting and keeping physical copies of all samples required in the specs are required based on the standard of care established in said contracts.
Regardless - it's a good idea do so anyway.
The contractor is required per AIA contracts to keep all material samples required in the spec's on site and / or readily available to the owner / architect.
pj_heavy
Oct 10, 24 6:58 pm
my point is it’s not even possible to do so/ if it’s a single story house maybe ( but it’s your responsibility?) In a large scale building though , can’t imagine I have to keep sample of the I signed off just for a ceiling in one room. The practice can’t be so different in the States and rest of the world ( i work in across EU/ Asia pacific)
OddArchitect
Oct 11, 24 10:09 am
How many years have you been practicing?
It is possible.
You don't have samples for each room. You have a sample for each major material used in the project. You only get the samples you've called for in the spec. This isn't mockup.
For an interior you may have
ACT
ACT Grid
Wall base
Paint
Tile
Tile edging
Carpet
Vinyl Tile
Wall Coverings
Solid Surface Material
Plastic Laminate
Wood Door finishes
Window coverings
With the exceptions for the carpet and tile the samples would be around 4" x 4" max
OddArchitect
Oct 11, 24 10:21 am
It's easy to do for large projects. I've been doing it for 20+ years on projects around 180,0000 sf. Again, not every component used in a building are required to have physical samples. Only key items identified in the specs. I don't think I've had more than 90 individual samples on a new project and that's including individual paint colors.
pj_heavy
Oct 11, 24 7:52 pm
Chad , you listed the / wall / surface finishs which are typically required for a physical signed off and you said you kept these with you during duration of the projects… I get it ( but i still don’t understand though why ? ) I’ve probably signed off hundreds if not a thousand of sample last year from a sealant colour in a curtain wall panel to a toilet roll holder . Not all of those items were physically to presented me the submtyal from weill
pj_heavy
Oct 11, 24 7:57 pm
but the submittal form will have all of the photos / details etc. We never keep these samples and …in fact we aren’t allowed in some type of contract ie D&C . I’d have to agree that things are done differently in your area.
pj_heavy
Oct 11, 24 11:30 pm
" It's easy to argue that AIA contracts require documenting and keeping physical copies of all samples required in the specs are required based on the standard of care established in said contracts. "
What happens if the project is interstate thousands of miles away from your office ? How do you deal with the logistic ?/ genuine question ....
I highly doubt the sentence you quoted and would really hope to hear from someone who works in large national/international practices. ( no offense to you Chad)
OddArchitect
Oct 13, 24 4:25 pm
lss_s_mr
Again, not all materials used in a building will require physical samples. Only key samples are required and this is detailed in the spec.
When the project is far away (500 plus miles) - like all the projects I'm on now - we keep the physical samples in our office. The GC keeps their own physical samples either at their office or in the jobsite trailer.
Again, on 200,000 sf project we probably only require around 100 physical samples. The rest are simple product cutsheets.
pj_heavy
Oct 10, 24 6:59 pm
* Fixtures on a ceiling
OddArchitect
Oct 11, 24 10:15 am
Typically you don't get samples for lighting fixtures. You get cut sheets.
pj_heavy
Oct 11, 24 7:39 pm
Odd
pj_heavy
Oct 11, 24 8:08 pm
lighting fixtures… typical or features always being physically presented and singed off by us , elec engineer , client .. that’s a normal protocol … anywho
OddArchitect
Oct 13, 24 4:21 pm
For 'special' or 'unique' fixtures we'll be lent a sample from a supplier that is picked up later. For 'normal' fixtures we just get cutsheets and physical samples of the finishes.
So how do you like to store your material samples during CA?
We document everything digitally for our records. We also keep physical samples for the duration of the project. Storing the physical samples are a pain though. We are old school and use a combination of a bakers rack for small / flat things and a variety of plastic bins.
I really don't like this as it takes up a bunch of room and clutters the office. I don't see any way around this. ::grumpyface::
we have a gorilla rack with bins full of samples, but just the ones we like to show - we throw away project specific samples. And we have cabinet doors lining up a conference room wall.
We only keep select samples in our library. Everything else we only keep for the duration of the project construction. Some of that construction lasts 2-3 years though. Or office is small and we don't have much storage.
They are piled up on the table and shelf behind me. Im trying to get enough metal panels to build a garden shed in my back yard.
I'm collecting various samples to build a hunting cabin. ;)
Controlled samples during CA are always being kept at the site office for all the parties to access them if required , that' the builder job to manage and organise isnt it ?
For design / research , our office library has the policy of "new-in / old out " or if something being replaced by a new product we kindly ask the sale rep to take the old sample back with them. Works well for us so far.
The GC needs to keep a copy of all submitted samples on site. The architect should also keep a copy of all submitted samples in their office for the duration of the construction.
For our material library we organize it as we see fit and have the reps update / remove samples as needed.
I'm curious about how other architects store submitted material samples for in progress projects.
We do put submittal stickers on samples... which pile up in a bin in the middle of the bay. Someone sighs and tries to organize it from time to time haha.
Pretty much what we do except the 'piles' are at our workstations. ;)
We just never stored controlled sample in the office / it’s unheard off where i’m practicing. Besides, there’s no way we can keep/ find a space for hundreds of items …don’t think it’s our responsibility either contractually .
curtain wall component , tile , floor vinyls , sanitary fixtures
there’s no way to keep everything even on site / some of the items were signed off at sub- contractor factory or ware house and they keep them as a record.
Depends where you practice and what contracts being used.
It's easy to argue that AIA contracts require documenting and keeping physical copies of all samples required in the specs are required based on the standard of care established in said contracts.
Regardless - it's a good idea do so anyway.
The contractor is required per AIA contracts to keep all material samples required in the spec's on site and / or readily available to the owner / architect.
my point is it’s not even possible to do so/ if it’s a single story house maybe ( but it’s your responsibility?) In a large scale building though , can’t imagine I have to keep sample of the I signed off just for a ceiling in one room. The practice can’t be so different in the States and rest of the world ( i work in across EU/ Asia pacific)
How many years have you been practicing?
It is possible.
You don't have samples for each room. You have a sample for each major material used in the project. You only get the samples you've called for in the spec. This isn't mockup.
For an interior you may have
With the exceptions for the carpet and tile the samples would be around 4" x 4" max
It's easy to do for large projects. I've been doing it for 20+ years on projects around 180,0000 sf. Again, not every component used in a building are required to have physical samples. Only key items identified in the specs. I don't think I've had more than 90 individual samples on a new project and that's including individual paint colors.
Chad , you listed the / wall / surface finishs which are typically required for a physical signed off and you said you kept these with you during duration of the projects… I get it ( but i still don’t understand though why ? ) I’ve probably signed off hundreds if not a thousand of sample last year from a sealant colour in a curtain wall panel to a toilet roll holder . Not all of those items were physically to presented me the submtyal from weill
but the submittal form will have all of the photos / details etc. We never keep these samples and …in fact we aren’t allowed in some type of contract ie D&C . I’d have to agree that things are done differently in your area.
" It's easy to argue that AIA contracts require documenting and keeping physical copies of all samples required in the specs are required based on the standard of care established in said contracts. "
What happens if the project is interstate thousands of miles away from your office ? How do you deal with the logistic ?/ genuine question ....
I highly doubt the sentence you quoted and would really hope to hear from someone who works in large national/international practices. ( no offense to you Chad)
lss_s_mr
Again, not all materials used in a building will require physical samples. Only key samples are required and this is detailed in the spec.
When the project is far away (500 plus miles) - like all the projects I'm on now - we keep the physical samples in our office. The GC keeps their own physical samples either at their office or in the jobsite trailer.
Again, on 200,000 sf project we probably only require around 100 physical samples. The rest are simple product cutsheets.
* Fixtures on a ceiling
Typically you don't get samples for lighting fixtures. You get cut sheets.
Odd
lighting fixtures… typical or features always being physically presented and singed off by us , elec engineer , client .. that’s a normal protocol … anywho
For 'special' or 'unique' fixtures we'll be lent a sample from a supplier that is picked up later. For 'normal' fixtures we just get cutsheets and physical samples of the finishes.