Construction & Evaluation (CE)

This division will assess objectives related to construction contract administration and post-occupancy evaluation of projects. The division will focus on issues related to bidding and negotiation processes, support of the construction process, and evaluation of completed projects. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of and abilities in construction contract execution, construction support services (including construction observation and shop drawing or submittal review), payment request processing, and project closeout. In addition, candidates must also demonstrate an understanding and abilities in project evaluation of integrated building systems and their performance.

Preconstruction Activities

Architect Role Bidding Process

9/9 topics

Bidding Document Assembly and Distribution: Invitation to Bid, Instructions to Bidders (A701), Bid Forms, and Document Control

How the architect assembles and distributes a complete set of bidding documents, the components and legal role of each, and how document control protects bid integrity.

Bid Security and Bonds: Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, Surety, and Penal Sums

How bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds protect the owner, the role of the surety, penal sum amounts, and the architect's advisory responsibilities during the bidding phase.

Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit Procedures: Agenda, Attendees, Addenda Issuance, and Substitution Requests

How the architect runs a pre-bid conference and site visit, who attends, what topics are covered, how Q&A is documented through addenda, and how substitution requests during the bidding period are handled.

Insurance Requirements for Construction: Builder's Risk, CGL, Professional Liability, Workers' Compensation, and Certificates of Insurance

The types of insurance required during construction, who provides each, how the A201-2017 insurance exhibit works, the architect's limited role regarding insurance, and key exam-tested distinctions.

Prequalification of Bidders: Evaluation Criteria, Financial Capacity, Bonding Limits, Experience, and Reference Checks

How the architect assists the owner in prequalifying contractors before bidding opens, including financial capacity assessment, bonding limit verification, experience evaluation, and reference checks.

Contractor Selection Process: Low-Bid vs. Best-Value, Bid Evaluation Matrix, and Award Recommendation

How contractors are selected in competitive bidding using low-bid and best-value approaches, how bid evaluation matrices weight selection criteria, and the architect's role in preparing the award recommendation.

Bidding Procedures by Delivery Method: DBB Competitive Bidding, CM-at-Risk GMP Negotiation, Design-Build Proposals, and IPD Selection

How the procurement process differs by delivery method, including the architect's role in competitive bidding, GMP negotiation, design-build RFP, and IPD team selection.

Bid Alternates, Allowances, and Unit Prices: Types, Documentation, Owner Decision Points, and Cost Implications

How bid alternates, allowances, and unit prices are structured in bidding documents, when the owner uses each, and the architect's role in advising on selection and documenting outcomes.

AIA Contract Selection and Execution: A101, A133, A141, A195, Owner-Architect-Contractor Relationships, and Notice to Proceed

How to select and execute the right AIA owner-contractor agreement based on project delivery method, and the architect's role in advising the owner through contract execution and notice to proceed.

Criteria Selecting Contractors

4/4 topics

Bid Analysis and Comparison: Responsiveness, Completeness, Arithmetic Verification, Scope Gaps, and Exclusions

How the architect analyzes and compares contractor bids after opening, evaluating responsiveness, verifying arithmetic, identifying scope gaps and exclusions, and preparing a comparative bid analysis for the owner.

Public vs. Private Procurement: Statutory Bidding Requirements, Sealed Bids, MBE/WBE Goals, and Lowest Responsible Bidder Standard

How public and private procurement differ in bidding requirements, statutory mandates, MBE/WBE participation goals, and the 'lowest responsible bidder' standard that governs public contract awards.

Contractor Qualifications Evaluation: Bonding Capacity, Insurance Requirements, Safety Records, Workforce Capabilities, and References

A deep look at how architects and owners evaluate contractor qualifications beyond bid price, covering bonding capacity, insurance coverage types, safety records, workforce depth, and reference verification as criteria for responsible contractor selection.

Subcontractor and Supplier Evaluation: Listed Subcontractors, Substitution Rules, and Specialty Trade Prequalification

How architects and owners evaluate subcontractors and suppliers during contractor selection, including listed subcontractor requirements, the process for reviewing and objecting to proposed subs, substitution rules under AIA A201-2017, and specialty trade prequalification criteria.

Adjust Project Costs

3/3 topics

Value Engineering During Bidding: Scope Reduction, Material Substitution, System Alternatives, and Budget Reconciliation

How architects evaluate and manage value engineering proposals during the bidding phase, including scope reductions, material substitutions, system alternatives, and the process of reconciling project costs with owner budgets while preserving design intent.

Addenda and Bid Modifications: Timing, Distribution, Contractual Implications, and Impact on Bidder Compliance

How architects issue addenda during the bidding period to correct, clarify, or modify bidding documents; the contractual implications of addenda; timing requirements to ensure bidder compliance; and distribution obligations to maintain a fair and complete bidding process.

Post-Bid Negotiation and Scope Adjustment: Deductive Alternates, Re-Bidding Criteria, Schedule Acceleration, and Phasing Options

How architects advise owners on post-bid cost adjustment strategies including exercising deductive alternates, evaluating re-bidding criteria, assessing schedule acceleration options, and structuring phasing to bring projects within budget after bids are received.

Construction Observation

Architect Role Construction Activities

9/9 topics

Architect's Construction Phase Services: Scope Under B101, Site Visit Frequency, Reporting Obligations, and Limitations of Authority

The architect's construction phase services as defined by AIA B101-2017, including the scope of basic services, site visit frequency standards, required reporting to the owner, and the contractual limitations on the architect's authority during construction.

Construction Site Observation vs. Inspection: Legal Distinctions, Documentation Standards, Field Reports, and Photographic Records

The critical legal distinction between architectural site observation and construction inspection, the documentation standards for field reports, the role of photographic records in establishing what was observed, and how documentation protects the architect and serves the project record.

Design Intent vs. Means and Methods: Architect's Role Boundaries, Contractor Autonomy, Safety Responsibility, and Liability Limits

The critical distinction between the architect's responsibility for design intent and the contractor's exclusive authority over construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures, including safety responsibility and the liability implications of crossing this boundary.

Contractor Responsibilities to the Architect: Change Orders, Payment Applications, Submittals, Schedule Updates, and Coordination

Covers the contractor's obligations to the architect during construction, including processing change orders, submitting payment applications and schedule of values, managing submittals and the submittal schedule, providing schedule updates, and coordinating with the architect and consultants.

Schedule of Values Review: Format Requirements, Front-Loading Detection, Line Item Granularity, and Payment Correlation

Covers the architect's responsibility to review and approve the contractor's schedule of values before the first pay application, including how to evaluate format adequacy, detect front-loading, assess line item granularity, and correlate line items to actual payment certification.

Field Report Documentation: Observation Records, Weather Conditions, Workforce Tracking, Progress Photos, and Distribution

Covers the architect's field report documentation obligations during site visits, including what to record in observation reports, how to document weather conditions and their impact, tracking workforce and equipment on site, appropriate use of progress photography, and distribution requirements for field reports.

Owner's and Architect's Consultants During Construction: Testing Agencies, Special Inspectors, Commissioning Agents, and Coordination

Examines the roles, relationships, and coordination responsibilities of testing agencies, special inspectors, commissioning agents, and other consultants engaged by either the owner or architect during construction, and how the architect manages information flow and conformance evaluation across all parties.

Architect's Authority and Limitations: Rejection of Work, Stop-Work Authority, Interpretation of Documents, and Claims Avoidance

Covers the architect's authority to reject non-conforming work, the boundaries of stop-work authority, the role of impartial document interpretation under A201, and documentation practices that protect against claims during construction.

Construction Meeting Administration: Pre-Construction Conference, Progress Meetings, Minutes, Action Items, and Attendance

Covers the structure and purpose of the pre-construction conference, the conduct of regular progress meetings, the documentation requirements for meeting minutes and action items, attendance expectations, and the role of meetings in managing construction-phase risk.

Construction Conformance Evaluation

13/13 topics

Concrete and Masonry Construction Observation: Placement Procedures, Reinforcement, Slump/Cylinder Testing, Cold/Hot Weather Concreting

What the architect observes during concrete and masonry placement, required special inspections and testing, reinforcement verification, cold and hot weather precautions, and common non-conformance issues.

Non-Conforming Work Identification: Visual Observation, Testing Results, Code Violations, and Documentation Procedures

How architects identify, document, and respond to contractor work that fails to meet contract document requirements, applicable codes, or specified testing thresholds during construction site observation.

Building Envelope Transitions and Flashing Observation: Air Barriers, WRB Continuity, Window Integration, and Through-Wall Flashing

What the architect observes during building envelope construction, including air barrier continuity, water-resistive barrier (WRB) lapping and transitions, window and door flashing sequences, through-wall flashing at shelf angles and roof-wall intersections, and sealant joint design.

Fire-Rated Assembly and Firestopping Observation: UL-Listed Assemblies, Penetration Sealing, Fire Dampers, and Smoke Barriers

What the architect observes during construction of fire-rated assemblies and firestopping systems, including UL-listed wall and floor assemblies, through-penetration firestopping, construction joint firestopping, perimeter fire containment at curtain walls, fire dampers, and smoke barrier integrity.

Material Substitution Evaluation During Construction: Performance Equivalence, Code Compliance, Aesthetic Impact, and Approval Process

Covers the architect's evaluation process when contractors request material substitutions during construction, including how to assess performance equivalence, code compliance implications, aesthetic impact, and the approval process under AIA A201, including compensation for review time.

Structural Steel Erection Observation: Connection Types, Bolt Tensioning, Welding Inspection, and Fireproofing

What the architect observes during structural steel erection, including connection types (bolted vs. welded), bolt tensioning methods, welding inspection requirements, and applied fireproofing verification.

Waterproofing and Below-Grade Systems Observation: Foundation Waterproofing, Drainage Boards, Vapor Barriers, and Dampproofing

What the architect observes during below-grade construction, including foundation waterproofing membranes, dampproofing coatings, drainage board placement, footing drain systems, vapor barriers under slabs, and capillary break installation.

Unforeseen Conditions: Concealed Conditions, Environmental Hazards, Structural Discoveries, and Contract Implications Under A201

How the architect evaluates and responds to unforeseen conditions discovered during construction, including the A201 Section 3.7.4 changed conditions framework, the contractor's notice obligations, the architect's investigation and determination role, environmental hazard response under A201 Section 10.3, and the contract implications for cost and schedule adjustments.

Code Compliance Verification During Construction: Building Official Inspections, Fire Marshal Reviews, Accessibility Audits, and Corrections

Examines how code compliance is verified during construction through mandatory building official inspections, fire marshal reviews, accessibility field audits, and the architect's role in coordinating and responding to corrections from authorities having jurisdiction.

Sustainability Compliance During Construction: LEED Documentation, Energy Code Verification, Commissioning Requirements, and Material Tracking

How sustainability requirements translate into on-site compliance activities during construction, including LEED documentation procedures, energy code verification, the commissioning process and its independence requirements, and material tracking for green building credits.

Consultant Coordination During Construction: Structural Observation, MEP Inspections, Geotechnical Monitoring, and Integrated Reporting

Covers the architect's responsibility to coordinate structural, MEP, geotechnical, and other design consultants during construction, including how observations from each discipline are integrated into the architect's total conformance evaluation and payment certification decisions.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Programs: Inspection Plans, Testing Protocols, Mock-Ups, Pre-Installation Conferences, and Standards

The parallel QA and QC systems that govern construction quality, how inspection plans and testing protocols are structured and enforced, and the architect's role in evaluating compliance through mock-ups, pre-installation conferences, and quality standards verification.

Construction Tolerances and Workmanship Standards: ACI, AISC, Masonry, Carpentry, and Finish Tolerances

Covers how the architect evaluates whether contractor workmanship meets the tolerances established by ACI for concrete, AISC for structural steel, industry standards for masonry and carpentry, and specification requirements for finish work, including how tolerances are documented and applied in payment decisions.

Determine Construction Progress

3/3 topics

Construction Schedule Types and Monitoring: CPM, Gantt Charts, Milestone Schedules, Float, and Critical Path Analysis

Covers the primary schedule formats used during construction, including Critical Path Method (CPM), Gantt/bar charts, and milestone schedules. Explains float calculations, critical path identification, and how architects review contractor schedules to determine construction progress under A201.

Schedule of Values and Progress Assessment: Percentage Complete, Stored Materials, Retainage, and Payment Correlation

Covers the schedule of values as a tool for tracking construction progress and correlating it to payment applications. Addresses percentage complete assessment, stored materials accounting, retainage mechanics, and the architect's role in certifying payments based on observed work in place versus the contractor's claimed progress.

Delay Analysis and Impact Assessment: Excusable vs. Non-Excusable, Concurrent Delays, Time Extensions, and Liquidated Damages

Covers the classification and analysis of construction delays from the architect's perspective during construction administration. Addresses excusable vs. non-excusable delays, compensable vs. non-compensable delays, concurrent delay situations, time extension procedures under A201, and the role of liquidated damages in construction contracts.

Administrative Procedures Protocols

Supplement Contract Documents

8/8 topics

Architect's Supplemental Instructions (ASIs): Scope, Limitations, Cost Implications, and Issuance Protocols

Covers the Architect's Supplemental Instructions (ASIs) as a mechanism for issuing minor changes and clarifications during construction. Addresses the scope limitations of ASIs under A201 Section 7.4, cost and time implications, documentation requirements, and the distinction between ASIs and other change instruments.

Bulletins and Proposal Requests: Pre-Change Order Documentation, Contractor Pricing, and Timeline Requirements

Covers bulletins and proposal requests as pre-change order documentation instruments used to communicate potential changes, solicit contractor pricing, and establish timelines for change order processing. Addresses the architect's role in issuing these documents, contractor response obligations, and the relationship between proposal requests (G709) and formal change orders.

Change Orders: Initiation, Pricing, Negotiation, Owner Approval, and Documentation Under G701

Covers the change order process from initiation through execution, including the roles of the architect, owner, and contractor. Addresses pricing methods, negotiation procedures, owner approval requirements, documentation using AIA G701, and the relationship between change orders and other change instruments under A201-2017.

Construction Change Directives (CCDs): Disputed Changes, Interim Direction, Cost Determination Methods, and A201 Procedures

Covers construction change directives as the mechanism for directing disputed changes during construction. Addresses CCD issuance authority (owner and architect), the contractor's obligation to proceed, cost determination methods under A201 Section 7.3, interim pricing, and the path from CCD to change order resolution.

Unforeseen Conditions and Contract Modifications: Concealed Conditions Clause (A201 Section 3.7.4), Notice Requirements, and Cost/Time Impact

Covers the contractual framework for handling unforeseen and concealed conditions encountered during construction, including the concealed conditions clause under A201 Section 3.7.4, contractor notice requirements, the architect's investigation duties, and the cost and time adjustment mechanisms that apply when conditions differ materially from those indicated in the contract documents.

Requests for Information (RFIs): Processing, Response Timelines, Documentation, and Design Clarification vs. Design Change

Covers the RFI process during construction administration, including contractor submission requirements, architect response obligations under A201 Section 4.2.14 and B101 Section 4.2.2.2, response timelines, documentation standards, and the critical distinction between RFI responses that clarify existing documents versus those that constitute design changes requiring a change order.

Minor Changes in the Work: A201 Section 7.4 Authority, Field Orders, and Cost-Neutral Adjustments

Covers the architect's authority to order minor changes under A201 Section 7.4, including the requirements that changes be consistent with design intent and not affect contract sum or time, the contractor's notification obligation if a minor change will affect cost or schedule, field order documentation, and the distinction between minor changes, change orders, and construction change directives.

Contract Time and Extensions: Weather Delays, Force Majeure, Time Impact Analysis, and A201 Section 8.3

Covers contract time provisions under A201-2017 Article 8, including methods for establishing contract time, grounds for time extensions under Section 8.3, excusable vs. non-excusable delays, weather delay documentation requirements, force majeure events, time impact analysis methodology, and the relationship between time extensions and cost adjustments.

Evaluate Submittals

7/7 topics

Mock-Up Requirements and Evaluation: Purpose, Acceptance Criteria, Field Mock-Ups vs. Off-Site, and Quality Benchmarks

How architects specify, evaluate, and use mock-ups during construction to establish quality benchmarks and acceptance criteria, including the differences between field and off-site mock-ups, contractual roles, and evaluation procedures.

Product Data and Sample Submittals: Review Criteria, Conformance Verification, Distribution, and Record Keeping

How the architect reviews product data and physical sample submittals for design conformance, the contractor's verification obligations before submission, distribution protocols, and documentation requirements for maintaining submittal records.

Material Testing and Test Result Evaluation: Concrete Strength Tests, Steel Connection Inspections, Slump Tests, and Special Inspections

Covers the evaluation of material testing procedures and test results during construction, including concrete compressive strength testing (ASTM C39), slump testing (ASTM C143), steel connection inspections, and special inspection requirements under IBC Chapter 17. Addresses the architect's role in evaluating test results, identifying non-conforming materials, and determining appropriate corrective actions when test results fail to meet specification requirements.

Shop Drawing Review Process: Contractor Responsibility, Architect Review Scope, Approval Stamps, and Liability Limitations

How shop drawings flow from contractor preparation through architect review, the contractual responsibilities of each party, the meaning and risk implications of review stamps, and the liability boundaries that protect the architect during construction administration.

Submittal Schedule and Tracking: Contractor's Submittal Log, Review Turnaround, Resubmittals, and Project Impact

How the submittal schedule is developed and coordinated with the construction schedule, the contractor's obligations for maintaining the submittal log, review turnaround time expectations, resubmittal procedures, and how submittal delays affect project progress.

Substitution Requests During Construction: Evaluation Criteria, Code Compliance, Cost Impact, Schedule Impact, and Approval Authority

How the architect evaluates contractor requests to substitute specified materials or products during construction, including the evaluation criteria for code compliance, cost impact, schedule impact, and the approval authority chain involving the architect and owner.

Deferred Submittals and Delegated Design: Contractor-Engineered Components, Performance Specifications, and Structural Connections

Covers deferred submittals and delegated design under A201-2017, including the architect's limited review scope under Section 4.2.7, contractor design services under Section 3.12.10, performance specifications vs. prescriptive specifications, contractor-engineered components (steel connections, curtain wall, precast), professional engineer stamp requirements, and the architect's liability limitations for delegated design elements.

Evaluate Payment Application

4/4 topics

Application for Payment Review: G702/G703 Forms, Schedule of Values Verification, Stored Materials, and Site Observation Correlation

How the architect reviews the contractor's application for payment using AIA G702 and G703 forms, verifies the schedule of values against observed work in place, evaluates claims for stored materials, and correlates payment certification with site observations.

Mechanics Liens and Surety Obligations: Filing Requirements, Stop Notices, Bond Claims, and A201 Section 9.3

Covers mechanics liens, payment bonds, and stop notices as payment protection mechanisms in construction, including lien filing requirements, conditional and unconditional lien waivers, payment bond claims on public projects, A201 Section 9.3 payment applications, retainage, and the architect's role in certifying payment to protect against lien exposure.

Payment Disputes and Withholding: Defective Work, Incomplete Work, Subcontractor Claims, and Owner's Right to Withhold

How the architect evaluates grounds for withholding or nullifying payment certificates under A201, including defective work, subcontractor payment failures, third-party claims, and the contractor's remedies when payment is improperly withheld.

Retainage Methods and Release: Percentage Retainage, Reduction at Substantial Completion, Final Retainage Release, and Lien Waivers

How retainage is structured, calculated, reduced, and released through the payment process, including Option A (line item) and Option B (50% threshold) methods, the role of substantial completion in retainage reduction, final payment requirements, and lien waiver mechanics.

Evaluate Non Conformance Responses

7/7 topics

Uncovering and Correcting Work: A201 Sections 12.1 and 12.2, Inspection Rights, and Cost Allocation

Covers the architect's authority and procedures under A201-2017 Article 12 for uncovering work (Section 12.1) and correcting work (Section 12.2), including who pays for uncovering, the one-year correction period, owner-accepted nonconforming work, and cost allocation rules for defective versus conforming covered work.

Architect-Consultant Coordination for Non-Conformance Resolution: Structural Engineer Review, MEP Impact Assessment, and Integrated Solutions

How the architect coordinates with structural, mechanical, electrical, and other consultants to evaluate non-conforming work, assess cross-discipline impacts, determine resolution strategies, and communicate integrated solutions to the project team.

Construction Defect Types and Root Cause Analysis: Design Errors, Specification Deficiencies, Workmanship Failures, and Material Defects

How to classify construction defects by their root cause (design errors, specification deficiencies, workmanship failures, material defects), apply the standard of care and Spearin Doctrine to determine liability allocation, and use root cause analysis to inform non-conformance resolution decisions.

Corrective Action Evaluation: Repair vs. Removal, Structural Implications, Code Compliance, and Cost-Schedule Analysis

How the architect evaluates corrective action options for non-conforming work, including the decision framework for repair versus removal, structural engineering considerations, building code compliance verification, and analysis of cost and schedule impacts for each resolution path.

Dispute Resolution During Construction: Mediation, Arbitration, Architect as Initial Decision Maker (A201 Section 15.2), and Claims Procedures

How disputes arising from non-conformance are resolved during construction, including the architect's role as Initial Decision Maker under A201 Section 15.2, the claims procedure sequence, mediation and arbitration processes, and the contractual framework for dispute resolution.

Non-Conformance Documentation and Notification: Deficiency Notices, Correction Timelines, Photographic Evidence, and Tracking

How the architect documents non-conforming work through formal deficiency notices, establishes correction timelines, maintains photographic evidence, and tracks non-conformance resolution through logs and project records to protect against claims and ensure contractual compliance.

Warranty and Liability Implications of Non-Conforming Work: Contractor Warranty Obligations, Acceptance of Non-Conforming Work, and Credit Negotiations

How non-conforming work affects contractor warranty obligations under A201, the implications of owner acceptance of non-conforming work for warranties and liability, credit negotiation processes, and the architect's role in protecting the owner's long-term interests when deviations are accepted.

Project Closeout Evaluation

Closeout Activities

8/8 topics

Certificate of Occupancy and Regulatory Closeout: CO vs. TCO, Fire Marshal Sign-Off, and Accessibility Certification

Covers the regulatory closeout process during construction administration, including the distinction between a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) and a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO), fire marshal inspections and sign-off requirements, accessibility certification and ADA compliance verification, the architect's role in coordinating regulatory approvals, and the relationship between regulatory closeout and substantial completion under A201.

Owner Occupancy and Partial Substantial Completion: A201 Section 9.9, Phased Occupancy, Insurance Implications, and Warranty Triggers

Covers owner occupancy before final completion under A201-2017 Section 9.9, including the architect's certification of partial substantial completion using AIA Document G704, phased occupancy procedures, the impact of occupancy on insurance coverage and responsibility allocation, warranty period triggers for occupied portions, and the distinction between substantial completion of the whole versus partial substantial completion of designated portions.

Warranty Administration and Callbacks: One-Year Correction Period, A201 Section 12.2.2, Warranty Walk-Throughs, and Latent Defects

Covers the contractor's correction-of-work obligations under A201-2017 Section 12.2, including the one-year correction period triggered by substantial completion, the architect's role in warranty administration, the 11-month warranty walk-through process, the distinction between the correction period and the statute of limitations/statute of repose, callbacks and deficiency reporting procedures, latent defects that appear after the correction period, and the relationship between warranties, guarantees, and the contractor's general obligation to perform conforming work.

Closeout Document Assembly: Record Drawings, Operations and Maintenance Manuals, Warranties, Attic Stock, and Training

How the architect coordinates the assembly of project closeout documents including record drawings, O&M manuals, warranty documentation, attic stock requirements, and owner training, ensuring all contractual deliverables are complete before final completion.

Final Completion and Project Closeout: Final Inspection, Remaining Punch List, Final Payment, and Contract Termination

How the architect manages the transition from substantial completion to final completion, including conducting the final inspection, verifying punch list completion, processing final payment certification, managing contract termination, and coordinating administrative closeout activities.

Lien Releases and Final Payment Processing: Conditional vs. Unconditional Waivers, Contractor Affidavit, and Consent of Surety

How the architect and owner manage the lien release process during final payment, including the distinctions between conditional and unconditional waivers, the contractor's affidavit of payment, consent of surety requirements, retainage release procedures, and the legal protections these instruments provide to the owner.

Punch List Procedures: Preparation, Prioritization, Contractor Response, Re-Inspection, and Owner Sign-Off

How the architect prepares, manages, and tracks the punch list process from initial walk-through through contractor correction, re-inspection, and owner acceptance, including prioritization strategies, documentation standards, phased completion approaches, and coordination between the certificate of substantial completion and the punch list.

Substantial Completion Determination: Criteria, G704 Certificate, Punch List, Owner Occupancy, and Warranty Commencement

How the architect determines when a project has achieved substantial completion, the criteria for this determination, the G704 certificate documentation, the relationship between substantial completion and punch list preparation, the transfer of owner responsibilities including occupancy, and the commencement of warranty and correction periods.

Evaluate Building Performance

5/5 topics

Building Commissioning and Performance Verification: Functional Testing, Systems Verification, Seasonal Commissioning, and Deficiency Resolution

How the commissioning process verifies that building systems perform in accordance with the Owner's Project Requirements through functional performance testing, systems integration verification, seasonal and deferred testing protocols, deficiency resolution and retesting, and documentation of commissioning outcomes throughout the occupancy and operations phase.

Post-Occupancy Evaluation: User Surveys, Occupant Satisfaction, Space Utilization, and Lessons Learned Documentation

How architects evaluate building performance after occupancy through structured post-occupancy evaluations (POEs), including user survey methodology, occupant satisfaction measurement, space utilization analysis, lessons learned documentation, and the integration of POE findings into future design decisions and recommissioning programs.

Sustainability Performance Evaluation: Energy Modeling vs. Actual Performance, LEED Certification Maintenance, and Measurement/Verification

How architects evaluate sustainability performance after construction by comparing energy modeling predictions to actual metered consumption, applying measurement and verification (M&V) protocols including IPMVP approaches, maintaining LEED certification through ongoing commissioning and documentation, and using benchmarking tools such as ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to track building performance over time.

Building Envelope Performance Issues: Moisture Intrusion, Air Leakage, Thermal Bridging, and Remediation Strategies

How architects evaluate building envelope performance after construction, identifying common post-occupancy failures including moisture intrusion through wall assemblies and window interfaces, air leakage at construction joints and penetrations, thermal bridging at structural connections and transitions, and developing appropriate remediation strategies that address root causes while considering cost, disruption, and long-term durability.

First-Year Building Performance Assessment: HVAC Balancing, Lighting Controls, Acoustics, and Identified Deficiency Response

How architects evaluate building performance during the critical first year of occupancy by assessing HVAC balancing and air distribution, verifying lighting control systems and daylighting integration, evaluating acoustic performance against design criteria, managing identified deficiencies through the warranty period review process, and coordinating corrective actions with contractors before warranty expiration.