Author: Fitzroy Lewis

No, the Architect should not certify the contractor’s request for payment as the concrete Mixture did not follow the specifications and by the local building code, which can lead to other issues that will cost the owner a lot more money to repair. But, If the owner is aware and has written a cheque for the contractor. I believe the contractor should receive it for labor done on the

The Steps the Architect should take are:

1.  4.2.3 – Architect must notify owner in writing if errors are found – 

2. According to Article –  4.2.6 The Architect will have authority to reject Work that does not conform to the Contract Documents. Whenever the Architect considers it necessary or advisable, the Architect will have authority to require inspection or testing of the Work in accordance with Subsections 13.5.2 and 13-5-3 whether or not such Work is fabricated, installed or completed. However, neither this authority of the Architect nor a decision made in good faith either to exercise or not to exercise such authority shall give rise to a duty or responsibility of the Architect to the Contractor, Subcontractors, material and equipment suppliers, their agents or employees, or other persons or entities performing portions of the Work.

Then, The next steps are as follows:

3. 4.2.8 The Architect will prepare Change Orders and Construction Change Directives, and may authorize minor changes in the Work as provided in Section 7.4. The Architect will investigate and make determinations and recommendations regarding concealed and unknown conditions as provided in Section 3.7.4.

4. 4.2.9 The Architect will conduct inspections to determine the date or dates of Substantial

Completion and the date of final completion; issue Certificates of Substantial Completion pursuant to Section 9.8; receive and forward to the Owner, for the Owner’s review and records, written warranties and related documents required by the Contract and assembled by the Contractor pursuant to Section 9.10; and issue a final Certificate for Payment pursuant to 9.10

Initially, I would say that the owner’s request is a bit unethical. As an employer, one will have to take into consideration the psychological effects and what affects productivity of their employees.
An excerpt from the blog entitled “The benefits of having a window in your office or workspace”, published July 10th, https://www.mtglass.com/blog/windows/benefits-window-office-workspace/ , highlighted relatable topics of interest that produce workplace effective productivity. Topics such as:-
– Boosting energy levels during the day
– Reducing job-related stress
– Improving overall levels of happiness,
are simple but effective reasons why it is necessary to incorporate such simple factors as Windows/ visual engagement with the outside. Within the article, it referenced studies conducted in the Netherlands, “that when people were exposed to more daylight during their workday, they reported feeling more energetic and less sleepy” and also allowed “employees to focus”. I believe it’s not regionally specific but global.
Design principles in more modern times, push for open spaces that allow the person to interact with the environment outside (Le corbusier’s design philosophy, which particularly references Windows – to cut through non load-bearing walls,Free facades – open and closed sections that allow the facade to actively connect or separate interior and exterior design elements. For example) with consideration for human psychological well being.
To approach this design problem, I would engage the client in small remote meeting spaces at the beginning of the contract, where some locations would be less open than others to then eventually use that as a platform with his/her personal experience to reveal the positive outcomes for end user design with windows and acoustical privacy.
Being a company that has on site manufacturing, design considerations will be another utmost priority as freedom from intrusive noise allows the mind to focus on the day’s tasks and adds to maximum work productivity and efficiency, as proven.
The other aspect of the clients need for a new office building on an expansive site near its headquarters in a small city, would have to be design specific, as that would also have to be discussed over those lunch meetings spoken of earlier in this response.