Following this initial post on March 13, 2017 on March 14, 2017 we received an e-mail from Kevin Quealy, a
reporter from the New York Times because our company was among the 647 listed
in the “Interested Vendor List” of the Design-Build structure for the design
and build of a prototype wall structure in the vicinity of the United States
border and Mexico.
His e-mail asked if we were willing to share a
“sketch or design advice of any kind to the customs and border protection” because he thought “readers will be
interested to see how different companies envisioned this structure,
particularly since aesthetics will
factor into the final decision.”
As a courtesy we telephoned Mr. Quealy mentioning that we had no
sketches but we had posted some design
advice on our web site’s blog at http://constructionplace.blogspot.in/.
Here are the visions of the two Options we posted on our web
site Blog on March 13, 2017:
Option 1
Envision the following:
A concrete wall (30 foot high x approximately 2 foot thick with equally
spaced buttress supports topped with spike like components traversing a variety
of terrains, ranging from major urban areas to uninhabitable deserts;
Optionally, tower like structures or poles for cameras and other
surveillance equipment are on or adjacent to the wall and spaced at strategic
distances and locations;
An occasional drone is hovering overhead;
The wall is covered with graffiti, rust stains from metal fasteners
or wall mounted components, light fixtures and/or exposed reinforcing steel;
Cracks and spalling concrete caused from earth quake tremors and
common stress are observed;
Debris and garbage from wind and humanity is seen at the base of
either side of the wall;
Occasional homeless shelters are observed next to the wall;
As needed draining systems are placed to prevent erosion and
flooding; and
Sensor devices for detecting/locating tunneling activities because
as the wall footings/foundations get deeper the tunnels are deeper thus making
them more difficult to discover.
This option includes
a mix of a continuous wall structure with limited or no visibility and
technology while serving as a barrier
Graphic artist Sketches of this option are welcome for our next
or future blog posting(s).
Option 2
Envision the following:
A variety of strategically located open fence like systems/structures
or boundary lines (the border line) traversing a variety of terrains, ranging
from major urban areas to uninhabitable deserts;
Tower like structures or poles for cameras and other
surveillance equipment are placed along the border line at strategic locations and
distances;
An occasional drone is hovering overhead;
High tech equipped mobile homes with DHS (Department of Homeland
Security) logos are flying American flags can be seen at strategic locations
and distances along the border; and
If and when deemed appropriate both American and Mexican security
officers will be seen periodically sharing the Motor homes for surveillance and
patrolling activities in their respective areas.
This option includes
a joint task force mobile security system with a mix of open vision fencing
systems, mobile vehicles, and technology while promoting a good neighbor
relationship.
Graphic artist Sketches of this option are welcome for our next
or future blog posting(s).
Ironically, on March 16, 2017 Wall Street Journal stories by Dan
Frisch; and Dan Frisch and Laura Meckler respectively titled “Ranchers have
their own Ideas on Border Wall” and “Wall Debates Shrinking Problem” expressed
ideas mostly comprising “a mix of structures and technology”.
The stories included thoughts from ranchers
along the United States and Mexico border such as “I don’t care what they
build. They’ll climb over it or they’ll
go under it” and “No matter what they build on the border, it isn’t going to
stop the traffic”.
And weeks ago we read in a local newspaper about another
contractor on the “Interested Vendor list” who believes the Design-Build Border
Wall structure will not solve the expressed Illegal Immigration and drug
trafficking problem(s) from Mexico but he will still bid on the project because
he wants the work.
We would like the work also but as Construction Managers with General
Building Contractor licenses in California and Hawaii we feel obligated to tell
our clients (1) when we believe their proposed project will have little or no
impact on solving their problem; and (2) when we can offer other project scope options
for consideration.
Therefore, we think readers would be more interested in seeing design
advice that will solve the expressed problem including designs that are
aesthetically pleasing.
Here is our definition of Design
found in the publication “Construction Management Make Easy” See Glossary
DESIGN
A graphical representation consisting of
plan views, interior and exterior elevations, sections, and other drawings and
details to depict the goal or purpose for a building or other structure.
In other words, we design structures to depict a goal
or purpose usually based on a promise that we have made to ourselves or others
to solve a particular problem with a specific intent.
But sometimes we come up with more than one option to solve that
particular problem. In such case it is prudent to choose the least expensive
solution (Design) that satisfactorily produces the intent of the promise.
Comments, thoughts and/or other Options Welcome!
Clink on the below link to read about great border walls:
