We had some great times working with all the different disciplines. At one point in the week, Austin said, "It's amazing to be able to work so closely with the engineers. Usually my only interaction with them is when I send them a building plan and they send it back with a column right through my bathroom."
Well, at one point during the week, Colin and Austin drafted up some sketches for the blueprint of the school. They gave it to Tom and asked him what we would need structurally to make it work.
Tom said, "What would you think about having a column in the middle of the classroom?"
We all laughed.
Thankfully, that issue has been resolved. Apparently, there is something called "reverse trusses" that can help hold up the roof without causing the kids to have to deal with a column inside the classroom. Good thing!!
Kevin had an email that someone had sent him that illustrates the usual relationship between architects and engineers. I thought it was amusing and I'm sure all the architects and engineers working with them will be even more amused.
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CAST
Engineer: Jack Nicholson
Architect: Tom Cruise
Engineer: You want answers?
Architect: I think I’m entitled to them.
Engineer: You want answers?!
Architect: I want the truth!
Engineer: You can’t HANDLE the truth!!Son, we live in a world that has CHILLERS, BOILERS AND SWITCHGEAR. And those PIECES OF EQUIPMENT have to be LOCATED IN ROOMS. Who’s gonna DESIGN THEM? You? You, MR. ARCHITECT? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for LOST PARKING SPACES and you curse the SIZE OF MY GENERATOR. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that THOSE MEP SYSTEMS, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives… You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties. You WANT me on that DESIGN TEAM. You NEED me on that DESIGN TEAM. We use words like DESIGN, CODE, ANALYSIS… We use these words as the backbone to a life spent PROVIDING OWNER COMFORT AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY. You use ‘em as a punchline at a party.I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain my DESIGN to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very ENVIRONMENT that I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I’d rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a DUCTULATOR and DESIGN a BUILDING SYSTEM. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to!
Architect : Did you OVERSIZE THE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ROOMS?
Engineer : (quietly) I did the job you HIRED me to do.
Architect : Did you OVERSIZE THE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ROOMS?!!
Engineer : You’re damn right I did!!!
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1 comment:
Elizabeth, it was such a great blessing meeting and working with you and the rest of the team put together by EMI for this project. Now over 10 years after your documentation of this trip continues to inspire and encourage like on day-one! God bless you richly.
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