Architect? Structural Engineer ?

[Fabe]

Its amazing that here, the pointman is someone who is little more than a glorified draftsman , and you pay dearly , and then have to pay a projet manager and a structural engineer ! .
This is truly bizzaroland.
And , you know , now I understand that every time i've asked an architect any question regarding structural calculations , gannet charts , cement mix verification , all i have ever gotten in response was a blank stare .......

 

[Ricardo]

Hola:

I am in need of the help of someone with your skills. If possible I would like to arrange for you to come by my place in Las Canitas and take a look at a structural problem within my home.

I own a ground floor apartment which includes a rear extension that is separate from from the building proper. The area serves as a dining area which opens on the garden with a steel and glass door and window.

Since I bought the place in 2007 there had been slow, minor settling in one corner of the structure that had begun to warp the windows and door.

Unfortunately, the problem has escalated pretty dramatically, recently, as the soil erosion has spread over a section in the garden and under the interior floor. A concrete column that encloses the space has sunk a few inches and the interior sub-flooring has fallen.

I need an expert evaluation of what is going on and then a plan to effectively and economically correct the cause of the problem; do any necessary foundation repair; replace the glass garden doors; and level and restore the interior flooring.

I would like to get work done before the cooler weather starts.

If this is the kind of a project that would interest you, or if you can recommend someone to help, please get in touch.

My Spanish is pretty non-existent, but a close bilingual friend has offered to be translator/advisor.

I thank you in advance for your attention and look forward to hearing back.

Richard Rust

cell # 15 6521 6984
Skype name: richprust

 

[Fabe]

Hi Richard.
It was me that was actually LOOKING for a structural engineer.
Id get myself a lawyer for that kinda problem.
In my experience building , what you have is a safety hazzard .
Get yourself a lawyer , call the municipalidad , send a carta documento to the builder or the consorcio and get it looked at . what you describe is a tragedy waiting to happen

 

[rolja]

Hi folks,

there seems to be a confusion regarding the roles of an architect, an engineer and a maestro mayor de obras.
An Architect is responsible for the project and supervision of the building works. Although technically and legally entitled to calculate structures, it is very usual for the architect to rely on a structural engineer who specialises is this particular matter. We have enough issues to deal with
An Architect should, however, be able to advise you. I mean, we are not talking about a very complex structure there.
But if you want exact and reliable calculations you should call a structural engineer (calculista is the somewhat despective term that the architects have come up with).
And finally maestro mayor de obras is a secondary qualification - applies to the building site foreman and similar.
In any case, if you need help, feel free to contact us.
Regards,

www.jacobyarq.com

 

[Ries]

This is pretty much exactly the way it works in the USA- I have been working with and around architects for 30 years now, and dont know any that can actually calculate loads or size beams or columns.
In the USA, architects hire engineers to do that, just like in Argentina.