The CSI Phoenix Chapter toured the Walton Center in April 2023 and this is a follow up interivew on some of the design features of this LEED Platinum facility with the project lead, Carlos Diaz from the general contractor, McCarthy. For more details on the project McCarthy Completes New ASU Science and Technology Center. 

Join me in this quick 35 min discussion on the need to know tips and design strategies for specifying & detailing aluminum wall systems with Ken Martinek and Brook Montelongo, CSI, CDT from Arcadia Wall Systems

This episode is focused on Div 08  Openings with our product expert Jay Harris with Allegion, joined by our favorite general contractor Byron Bargas with DBSI.  

Just a few highlights on what this episode covers: 

· Specification for a complete door opening (doors, hinges, locks, closers, and electronic security hardware)

· Determine correct product application 

· Pick finishes appropriate for the environment being used 

· Complete keying schedules 

· Review egress requirements and coordinate with local building codes 

· Bring together “outside” entities (low voltage integrators) to help coordinate electronic security design and planning for project (hardware tie-in to security integrator software systems)

This is fun interview with Byron Bargas of DBSI a GC focused on primarily banking institutions. However as you will learn Byron's background is broad on the GC side as well as getting his start in the trades and his education in mathematics. 

We touch on so many topics including the need for more trades people, Byron's myriad projects, engaging with design and construction teams, the use of specifications, prefab and most importantly why GCs lend an important voice to CSI. So please say yes if you're invited. 

Thanks for listening. Happy New Year!

In this episode I speak with Barbara Faulwetter an architect and in-house specifications writer for Smith Group in Phoenix, AZ. Not only that Barbara is the Past-Chair for the PHX Chapter of CSI and a teacher/advocate for CSI accreditation programs. 

This was a really interesting and fun conversation -- we talk about architecture and the need to embrace regional differences and we go deep on creating appropriate boundaries and building lasting relationships. We look at these things from past perspectives as well as how things are changing. 

Please listen in for a thoughtful conversation. 

Join me as I chat with Byron Donelson who has had a long career, 40 years, in architecture with two of the US' largest firms as a Construction Administrator. Listen to the ins and outs of a different aspect of the project team and hear about some of Byron's favorite projects which includes the recently completed Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. 

Concrete is one of those materials we take for granted -- the laying of the foundation is a critical step in the building process but how often do we think about what happens before the material makes it to the job site? We see the specs and we see it being poured and finished but before that there are a myriad of steps that are the responsibility of the ready-mix producer. The ready-mix producer is responsible for the appropriate selection and use of the materials – cement, course and fine aggregate, water, admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials as well as getting all of that material into a truck, mixed with appropriate performance characteristics for the job conditions. The selection and handling of materials and conditions impacts the quality of the concrete as does the testing. Aside from producing the concrete the ready-mix producer is also responsible for testing multiple samples from any number of projects in addition to also working with 3rd party testing facilities. The world of concrete is highly complex and very competitive. During this episode we talk with QC Directors/Managers,  Lauro Rivas, PE, CalPortland; Tom Villa, Rock Solid; Joel Martinez and Bill Wheeler, Hanson Aggregates.    

This episode is a follow up to #1 regarding Why CSI? from a specifier perspective. Jeffrey Potter, HMC Architects, made an interesting career shift into specifications and that story is a valuable lesson. If you're early in your career or perhaps looking at options in the design and construction field this is a must listen and establishes a great foundation of knowledge.

Join me, Lisa Barnard, LEED AP, WELL AP, CSI and Chair of the Technical Committee for the Phoenix Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) as I interview individuals and CSI members about their careers, projects, challenges and most importantly, "Why CSI".

This inaugural episode, I interview Melissa Falcetti. AIA, CSI, CCS and Information Manager (Specifier) at Applied Building Information about her pathway into specifications and how CSI has been an integral part of her success and growth.  Melissa dispels some myths about specifiers and gives credit where credit is due for those fantastic manufacturer reps and mentors she's had along the way.