OFFICE + SITE / 100 STUDIES

One hundred real questions.
One hundred distinct visuals.

A shared knowledge field for architects, interior architects, surveyors, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers—from design decisions to site close-out.

Large axonometric study showing the systems of a prefabricated building

CONSTRUCTION HANDBOOK / PRACTICE NOTES

The concise answer is here. The layered explanation is in the app.

Each note presents the core approach and primary reference. Construction Handbook connects the full visual explanation, sequence and related decisions.

Explore Construction Handbook

General technical review notes and suggested approaches. Verify each application against the approved project, local requirements, specialist design and selected system.

100 / 100

Curing starts tomorrowPRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · OFFICE

002 / Concrete

Curing starts tomorrow

Review common practice

Common situationFresh concrete is left exposed after finishing.

Generally recommendedStart the specified curing process promptly; maintain moisture and temperature conditions for the required period.

A dry surface interrupts hydration. Finishing is not the end of concrete work.

Primary reference: NRMCA · CIP 11 ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Finishing over bleed waterPRACTICE NOTEInterior Architect · SITE

003 / Finishing

Finishing over bleed water

Review common practice

Common situationBleed water is worked into the surface, or covered with dry cement.

Generally recommendedWait for bleeding to finish and surface water to disappear before the appropriate finishing operation.

A weak surface layer can later dust, scale or delaminate.

Primary reference: NRMCA · CIP 14 ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Cover left to chancePRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · OFFICE

004 / Reinforcement

Cover left to chance

Review common practice

Common situationBars shift during placement because supports are missing or unsuitable.

Generally recommendedUse specified supports and check bar position and cover before and during placement.

Cover protects reinforcement; its required depth is a design requirement, not a visual preference.

Primary reference: CRSI · Placing bars ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
“Just one small hole”PRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · SITE

007 / Structure

“Just one small hole”

Review common practice

Common situationA service opening is cut without structural review.

Generally recommendedLocate reinforcement and services; obtain the structural designer’s opening detail and authorization before cutting.

Size, location and the interrupted load path all matter. Small does not automatically mean harmless.

Primary reference: ACI · Floor openings ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
The ceiling carries every servicePRACTICE NOTEInterior Architect · OFFICE

008 / Ceilings / MEP

The ceiling carries every service

Review common practice

Common situationCable trays or conduits are hung from an unverified ceiling grid.

Generally recommendedCoordinate service supports with the specified ceiling system; use independent support where required.

The grid’s declared capacity does not authorize arbitrary additional loads.

Primary reference: Armstrong · System installation ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why can good cylinder results coexist with lower in-place strength?TECHNICAL QUESTIONCivil Eng. · OFFICE

012 / Concrete

Why can good cylinder results coexist with lower in-place strength?

Review the suggested approach

Standard-cured specimens indicate potential strength. Placement, consolidation and curing affect the structure differently. Decisions about loading or form removal need an appropriate in-place assessment, not a direct substitution of the cylinder result.

Primary reference: NRMCA · CIP 10 ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Which drawing governs when plan, section and schedule disagree?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · OFFICE

022 / Design / BIM

Which drawing governs when plan, section and schedule disagree?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Do not choose by appearance. Record the conflict, check document status and obtain a coordinated, authorized revision before release or construction.

Primary reference: buildingSMART · BCF ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
What makes a site query answer buildable?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · OFFICE + SITE

028 / Design / BIM

What makes a site query answer buildable?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Reference the exact location and revision, show the accepted detail, identify affected trades and state whether previously completed work must change.

Primary reference: buildingSMART · BCF ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why should excavation limits be marked separately from building axes?PRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · SITE

032 / Site / setting out

Why should excavation limits be marked separately from building axes?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Working space, slopes, shoring and waterproofing access can extend beyond the structural footprint. Mark and approve each boundary clearly.

Primary reference: OSHA · Construction industry ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why inspect the formation before blinding concrete?PRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · SITE

035 / Site / setting out

Why inspect the formation before blinding concrete?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Confirm bearing surface, level, soft spots, water and required improvement while the ground remains visible and correctable.

Primary reference: OSHA · Construction industry ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why show existing utilities on the site plan as confidence levels?PRACTICE NOTESurvey Eng. · OFFICE

038 / Site / setting out

Why show existing utilities on the site plan as confidence levels?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Survey records can be incomplete. Distinguish verified, traced and assumed routes, then define investigation before excavation.

Primary reference: OSHA · Construction industry ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why must congested beam-column joints be rehearsed before the pour?PRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · OFFICE + SITE

042 / Structure / concrete

Why must congested beam-column joints be rehearsed before the pour?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Bars, couplers, sleeves and vibrator access compete for the same space. Resolve sequence and workable clearances before concrete arrives.

Primary reference: NRMCA · Concrete in Practice ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
When is formwork removal a design decision?PRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · OFFICE + SITE

045 / Structure / concrete

When is formwork removal a design decision?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Whenever strength, span, reshoring, construction loads or stability are involved. Use the approved sequence and verified criteria.

Primary reference: NRMCA · Concrete in Practice ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
What should happen when honeycombing is exposed?PRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · SITE

048 / Structure / concrete

What should happen when honeycombing is exposed?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Record extent and location, prevent cosmetic concealment, obtain structural assessment and use an approved repair method with follow-up inspection.

Primary reference: NRMCA · Concrete in Practice ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why review waterproofing at corners before flat areas?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · OFFICE + SITE

052 / Envelope / waterproofing

Why review waterproofing at corners before flat areas?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Corners, changes of plane, penetrations and terminations concentrate movement and workmanship risk. Resolve accessories and sequence first.

Primary reference: WBDG · Building enclosure design ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
When should hidden membrane work be photographed?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · SITE

055 / Envelope / waterproofing

When should hidden membrane work be photographed?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

After substrate acceptance and at corners, laps, penetrations, repairs and terminations—before protection or finishes conceal them.

Primary reference: WBDG · Building enclosure design ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why protect waterproofing immediately after testing?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · SITE

058 / Envelope / waterproofing

Why protect waterproofing immediately after testing?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Later traffic and trades can puncture a verified system. Use compatible protection and control access while keeping drain paths open.

Primary reference: WBDG · Building enclosure design ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Which service gets route priority?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · OFFICE + SITE

062 / MEP / coordination

Which service gets route priority?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Priority follows project constraints such as gravity flow, major duct size, fire strategy and maintenance—not a universal discipline order. Agree and record it.

Primary reference: buildingSMART · BCF ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why should condensate routes be reviewed in section?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · OFFICE + SITE

065 / MEP / coordination

Why should condensate routes be reviewed in section?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Falls, traps, insulation and discharge points are vertical constraints. A route that fits in plan can fail in level or maintenance access.

Primary reference: buildingSMART · BCF ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
When is a plantroom model ready for construction?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · OFFICE + SITE

068 / MEP / coordination

When is a plantroom model ready for construction?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

When installation, lifting, connections, drainage, replacement routes, operating clearances and structural loads have all been reviewed.

Primary reference: buildingSMART · BCF ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
What should be checked before tiling begins?PRACTICE NOTEInterior Architect · SITE

072 / Architecture / finishes

What should be checked before tiling begins?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Confirm substrate strength, flatness, moisture, falls, movement joints, waterproofing acceptance and the setting-out reference.

Primary reference: WBDG · Building enclosure design ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why coordinate door schedules with wall types?PRACTICE NOTEInterior Architect · OFFICE + SITE

075 / Architecture / finishes

Why coordinate door schedules with wall types?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Leaf size alone does not resolve frame depth, fire/acoustic seals, ironmongery reinforcement, head detail or adjacent finish returns.

Primary reference: WBDG · Building enclosure design ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
When can a substrate be accepted for paint?PRACTICE NOTEInterior Architect · SITE

078 / Architecture / finishes

When can a substrate be accepted for paint?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

After moisture, curing, repairs, cleanliness, texture and primer compatibility meet the specified system—under suitable inspection lighting.

Primary reference: WBDG · Building enclosure design ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
What should be checked around an open excavation each shift?PRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · SITE

082 / Temporary works / safety

What should be checked around an open excavation each shift?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Inspect access, edge protection, spoil and equipment setback, water, ground change and the protective system under a competent person’s process.

Primary reference: OSHA · Construction industry ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why keep pedestrian and plant routes separate?PRACTICE NOTECivil Eng. · SITE

088 / Temporary works / safety

Why keep pedestrian and plant routes separate?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Visibility, turning and stopping limits create predictable conflict points. Plan physical separation, crossings, lighting and change control.

Primary reference: OSHA · Construction industry ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
What makes a test record traceable?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · SITE

092 / Quality / handover

What makes a test record traceable?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Identify system, location, date, conditions, instrument, acceptance criteria, result, witnesses and the linked drawing or asset.

Primary reference: FIDIC · Contracts Guide ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
Why photograph concealed work with a location reference?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · SITE

095 / Quality / handover

Why photograph concealed work with a location reference?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

An image without grid, room, level or drawing reference cannot reliably support later investigation or operation.

Primary reference: FIDIC · Contracts Guide ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗
What is the difference between completion and acceptance?PRACTICE NOTEArchitect · SITE

098 / Quality / handover

What is the difference between completion and acceptance?

Review common practice

Common situationThe decision is left implicit or checked too late.

Generally recommendedRecord the agreed requirement and verify it before the work becomes concealed or constrains following trades.

Work may be physically present yet still lack testing, records, corrected defects or authorized approval. Track these states separately.

Primary reference: FIDIC · Contracts Guide ↗This topic and more in Construction Handbook ↗