Question:
An architect is preparing a response to a request for proposals (RFP). The RFP provides the following information about the project’s scope of work:
Interior renovation to an existing 125,000 square foot class-A office building in an urban setting. New elevators, curtain wall, lobby, and common corridors to be designed. White-box tenant spaces. New exit signs at each floor, and new hardware on all egress doors.
Which of the following consultants should the architect consider including in their response to the RFP? Check the three that apply.
Answer:
Electrical Engineer, Interior Designer and Vertical Transportation Consultant.
Structural Engineer is incorrect because “Although structural engineers are common consultants for projects, this project is purely an interior renovation and nothing in the scope of work indicates that structural design will be required.”
HOWEVER… included in the scope is new curtain wall. Curtain wall is clearly exterior, so “purely” interior is false. And in my experience the liklihood of designing a new curtainwall system for a building without input from a structural engineer is close to zero. Much more likely, in fact, that the elevator contractor or manufacturer would be able to handle matching the existing electrical infrastructure.
Can anyone explain this? Seems like an error.
Hi @adie.mitchell! Thank you for your question.
The question states that the scope of work is “Interior renovation to an existing 125,000 square foot class-A office building…” This note confirms that the project is purely an interior renovation.
Curtain walls are not solely for exterior use and can definitely be used on the interior. Because the question indicates that the project is an interior renovation, we know that the curtain wall being designed is for interior use. Typically, interior curtain walls are non-load bearing and wouldn’t require a structural engineer as an exterior curtain wall would.
This is a great example of selecting the most correct answer(s), even when others may also appear “correct” in different scenarios. It can be easy to insert outside assumptions to a question based on our own experience in the field, but it is important to stick with the information you are provided with.
While including a structural engineer would not hurt, it is more appropriate that the project would need an interior designer, electrical engineer, and a vertical transportation consultant (for the reasons provided in the explanations).
Hope this helps. Good luck on your upcoming exam!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Black Spectacles
Isn’t curtainwall by definition exterior, and hung from the slab edge (i.e. not “load bearing” anyway). I think this question would be much clearer if “curtain wall” were substituted for “interior glass partitions” or something similar. Just my 2c
@adie.mitchell, I hear you and appreciate the feedback. I’ll pass this along to our team for consideration!
Thank you,
Kiara