On my buddy Steve' blog the other day someone commented on the use of Architects for inspections. There are some great Architects out there. And none of the great ones I know would take offense from this blog because they know it wouldn't apply to them
. But just like other professions there are some that don't see the bigger picture. Frankly, there is today a trend away from the concept of "form following function" with form being more important than function----a mistake as near as I can tell. The following picture is a perfect example of function following form. The desire was to attain the great look of two townhouses side by side with the nice gables showing without a good solution as to what to do with the water that would run off both units toward each other.
The solution seen in the next picture results in ¼ of the total square footage of the roof (times 2) draining into a single gutter less than 10" long.
This little bitty gutter will clog frequently unless vigilantly maintained. The area where the roofs all come together just above the gutter will also need to be maintained free of debris. Fortunately there is easy access from the deck. On this side. On the other side of the building it is three stories to the gutter. Certainly not maintainable by the average homeowner.
Note the un-flashed end of the barge rafter. This is brand new construction.
Home inspectors are trained to identify these conditions
. Architects, in this case were more interested in other things.
Charles Buell
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Charlie,
I know a PE structural engineer. Architects drive him nuts. He thinks that they look at the fluff and forget about what is strong and what will last. I have seen some homes designed by architects who seemed to have zero understanding of runoff water and the whole back of the fancy custom home was rotted off in ten years.
Looks like a water leak or leaks waiting to happen to me.
Sean Allen
Shirley, haven't heard of many doing it myself either
Eric, I am afraid with me, I do my best to provide the long term issues and the "honey do list."
Steve, I hear you there.
Michael, I don't even smoke the right-handed cigarettes any more.
Sean, definitely a big maintenance issue.
Rich, I could see where someone wouldn't want to take on the maintenance of this issue
Ray, you mean like in "Braveheart?"
David, I see it as just another form of job security:)
Joseph, I was thinking of using "smartkitects"