Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-05-18
SPEAKS TO RoTARIANs OK
WORK OF THE ARCHITECT

The value of the. services of an arcfti-
tect was the topic Of an interesting talk
given at the MONDAY luncheon of the
Norwich Rotary club on Wednesday by
Arthur NJ. Thompson, member Of the Hrm
of Cudworth and Thompson, architects
Mr.. Thempsons talk thoroughly showed
how much depends on the architect il
building is to be constructed right Mr.
Thompson said:
The thinking public are awake to the
value of the services capable of being
rendered by an architect, and recognize
that his province bears the same rela-
ton to the owner as that of a specialist
in medicine or surgery to his patient In
countless ways the expert advice and
suggestions of an experienced architect
will be found to have substantial value
and his worth in this respect, cannot
be economically ignored by anyone who
has determined to ouiid, whether it be
| a bungalow or great commercial or mon
umental project.
When location is in contemplation
| or has been determined upon the archi-
tect selected should be acquainted with
the owners ideas and conception of
what the building should be. and it's
character and purposes, The site should
| then be studied and the outlook grades,
| drainage and other essential factors care.
| fully considered as their influence make
| for the success or non-success OF the
completed building.
This will enable the architect to obtain
a knowledge of the. essential require
| ments, to discuss any faHacies, and to
| sketch out practical and comprehensive
plans Of the interior arrangements and
exterior design, organized and adapted
m f1a
| in conjunction with the economic. condi-
i tions that underiie the problem. These
preliminary studies may offer several sug-
! gestions one being advanta geous from
] one point of view and another from an
| dthsr point of view which are then
capable of being inteligently discussed
| with the client and permit of definite
| conclusions being reached.
| from these sketches and studies show
| ing the general plan and design of the
! contemplated building. with their accom-
| panying synopsis of the materials of con-
struction. fixtures ard finish, close an
proxinate estimates may be obtained
| from contractors. These estimates may
! afford basis for determining the future
possibilities of the protest and enable
| further development by the preparation
| of the final working drawings. which in
volve an accurate layout of all floors
! of al elevations. both exterior and in
| terror. also typical sections and detailed
methods of construction The working
| drawings must be so complete that A
| contractor will know exactly how and
| of what material every part of the
/ building is to be constructed. thereby
torestasling any guessing which so fire.
| quently is costly to the owner
| The working drawings are accom-
| panied by specifications. taking I'D in the
i form of description what is inlmpossi-
| be to express on the drawings. and stat
! ing therein with clearness and precision
| the grades and character Of the work.
| materials. ingredients. appliances and
! fixtures required to be used and installed.
| These specifications also show how, tAe
| contractor shall do certain portions Of
the work and cooperate with the vari-
| DIS contrast tors: and in general.
| form complete thesis of the blIi-dinr
| to be constructed, leaving no doubt in
! the. mind of the bidder as TO the ex-
| ira amount and character of the work
called for. This assures that al est
mates received shall have been inteHf-
gently submitted. and that. when the
contract IS ultimately ;<~arded. the con
| tractor can plan its progress with q
| definite know, edge of the materials and
| reGuirements the work being thus car
|
coz eauuent economy.
After it has been determined TO pro
reed legal binding and definite con-
tract must he prepared by the archi-
tect. in which the recurrence ts on botl
sides are clearly set forth the instrlr-
ments of service, in the form OF specific
and technically intel. -ible drt wings
and specifoaA ons being maze a en-
hes:ve part OF the contract. Definite
terms of payment, time of completion
and requirements n connection with
lein laws must be provided for. The-
| must also be provisions in the contrac
for fire. COMPENSATION. and ok7t;ngen
cy insurance. for necessary bcr1s il
connection with completion an 70
compliance with local, municipal o
state requirements.
After the contract has been avarfe'
the architect should be placed in fu,
charge. 50 as to enable him TO ~ C
and observe the proper laying out of tn
work. and to see that the plans an
specification are conformed to. H
must also make proper disposal of tn
| problems that arise while the bulldin
b is in progress, passing on all techn.ca
questions and furnishing from time I
+ tine expla ma tory detail drawings of II,
: various parts of construction. ornamr
= tation fixtures. arrangements. etc. a
:, required he issues certificates of pay
ment as they fall due under the term
: Of the contract and also becomes tn
arbitrator in all questions of disputes
It is only by following these steps,
their logical. natural sequence. from tn
very conception of the building to Il
final completion. that an owner can OF
tain the hest results with minimum {
j. worry and maximum Of economy
h In order to construct a building SUI
q co~sful1v it is necessary to anticipat
Al each step in the progress of it's d
h velopment. and to outline q compile
y system for its erection. and to contr
n