Coordination known as clashing, arise when the drawings don’t align well with one another. Common examples of clashing include columns obstructing views or passage, misaligned slab edges, mechanical ducts running through structural members, and other instances where a disagreement between disciplines creates an unbuildable scenario.
To ensure effective integration between disciplines, the right expectations must be laid out before the project begins. The architect and the engineers must agree on a set of deliverables that will facilitate their teams’ coordination efforts. These may vary from project to project, but at a minimum, the architect should commit to furnishing the engineer with some of the following critical information:
locations of slab edges
floor-to-floor heights
cavity depths and ceiling interstitial spaces
parapet locations and heights
unique architectural features
areas where the design is expected to change in the future
