HOW IS A BUILDING DESIGN TEAM SIMILAR TO A FOOTBALL TEAM?
For this post I am indulging myself (and readers) to consider who each Design Team member would be if they became a Football Team. Fall seems so far away right now, so here is a little taste of football in the Spring.
Architect - Quarterback: You may argue that the Architect is the head coach, depends on the team I guess. Either way the Quarterback is the one calling the plays in the huddle.
Building Owner - Team Owner: We have all watched pro team's fortune rise and fall depending the owner (I am looking at you Arthur Blank...). This is can't be more true when it comes to a building.
The MEP Consultant - The offensive line: These guys need to coordinate with the entire office to make plays happen. The camera isn't necessarily following them so you don't see what they are all doing but if there is a screw up everything falls apart. The Quarterback also needs a great left tackle watching their blind side or else they are going to get sacked.
Civil - Kicker: They only show up for certain parts of the game, and you need a good one to win consistently. It is also noticed pretty quickly when the kicker misses a bunch of easy kicks. I have a feeling that my Civil friends are going to disagree with this one...
Structural - Defense: A team will never go far without a solid defense; and in this little analogy the defense needs to hold the other team to zero points every single game...or else you will see it on the evening news when the building falls down.
Interior design - Receivers and Running backs: Flashy skill players that the quarterback trusts with the ball to get it into the end zone. Sometimes the quarterbacks just runs it in themselves though.
Code Officials - Refs: Don't you hate it when these guys ruin a game?
Low Voltage - The Jumbotron: It was either this or the camera guys...
Aquatic Consultant - The beer guy in the stands: You don't absolutely need a beer during the game, but its just so much more enjoyable...and everybody loves a good water feature.
Acoustic consultant - The Crowd: Watch out for crowd noise! A friendly crowd can be the difference maker.
Landscape Architect, ADA consultant, Waterproofing consultant - Special teams: A huge play (or bust) can shift the momentum.
Sorry if I missed anyone, an argument could be made for pretty much any position. Feel free to email me if you have any good stuff that you think I should add.
If you have any questions about this - or anything MEP related please email me at tlong@engr3.com