GCI provides a wide range of exterior building envelope consulting services for architects throughout design and construction. These services are provided according to the needs of the client and project. As each project is unique, GCI is happy to provide proposals on a per project basis. Building envelope components include wall systems, glazing, roofs and waterproofing systems. Listed below is a partial listing of building envelope consulting services GCI has provided Architect clients on previous projects:

Schematic Phase:

• Project Meetings: Attend design team kick-off meetings and any required subsequent project meetings.
• Building Code Review: Review local codes and site requirements as they relate to the exterior building envelope.
• Design Criteria: Develop appropriate design criteria for wind, water, seismic and other environmental hazards.
• Schematic Design Review: Provide preliminary review comments on the architectural design.
• Cost Estimates: Provide square foot estimates for building envelope items.

Design Development Phase:

• Design Development Sketches and Details: Consult to develop details, sections and drawings, as required.
• Outline Specifications: Assist with the preparation of a set of Outline Specifications, identifying basic performance requirements and generic material types.
• Project Meetings: Attend design team project meetings as required.
• Cost Estimates: Assist with the preparation of budget construction cost estimates for exterior building envelope components.

Construction Documents Phase:

• Development of Working Drawings and Specifications: Consult to produce Architectural Drawings and Specifications, as required.
• Develop Specifications: Assist with the completion of specifications. Recommend appropriate materials, manufacturers and performance criteria.
• Fifty Percent Review: Comprehensive review of plans and specifications at fifty percent of completion with written comments and suggestions, as required.
• Ninety Percent Review: Comprehensive review of plans and specification at ninety percent of completion with written comments and suggestions, as required.
• One Hundred Percent Review: Comprehensive review of plans and specifications at one hundred percent completion with written comments and suggestions, as required.
• Project Meetings: Attend design team project meetings as required.
• Cost Estimates: Assist with the preparation of final construction cost estimates for exterior building envelope components.

Bidding and Negotiation Phase:

• Review Proposals: Review relevant building envelope subcontractor proposals to verify they are in compliance with the project documents and provide written comments as required.
• Value Engineering Proposals: Review and analyze value engineering proposals for building envelope components and provide written comments and recommendations.
• Review Subcontractor Qualifications: Research and qualify prospective subcontractors for major building envelope components, including verification of past performance on similar projects and checking references within the industry.
• Project Meetings: Attend pre-bid and pre-award project meetings, as required.

Construction Phase (Administration):

• Witness Mockups and Tests: We will observe the construction of laboratory mockups and test specimens and witness laboratory testing to verify constructability and compliance with the project requirements.
• Review Submittals: We will review contractor submittals required by the project documents for building envelope components and provide written comments.
• Respond to RFI's: We will review and respond to relevant RFI's to help provide the requested information.

Construction Phase (Quality Control):

These services are often provided directly to the Owner or Construction Manager.

• Change Order Review: Provide review and comments for Change Order requests, as required.
• Site Inspections: Conduct periodic site inspections to review the quality of work and check for conformance with the project requirements. We provide a written report upon completion of each inspection.
• Field Water and Air Infiltration Tests: Conduct field tests of representative glazing and wall system assemblies to verify acceptable performance. We use ASTM E 1105 test method for water infiltration tests and ASTM E 547 for air infiltration tests.
• Project Meetings: We will attend and participate in project meetings at the site, as required.