Getting the construction plan on paper

Regarding “A Blueprint for Red Tape,” Jan. 7: I feel the architect’s idea of electronic construction documents (paperless) is way too impractical. Whoever reviews the plans for approval, (planning, plan checking, etc.), will need paper drawings for ease of review and cross-checking, and you certainly can’t think that the structure will be built by a contractor and crew huddled around a laptop at the job site.

Everyone involved in the design, review and construction of the project will need paper hard copies of the construction documents at some point.

LARRY HAUER

Ventura

The writer is a structural engineer.

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I don’t suggest replacing physical prints with electronic files. I own a land surveying company and deal with architects on an almost daily basis. Many electronic files are sent to me by architectural firms in an inaccurate or incomplete form.

An electronic drawing file is in fact quite complex, often requiring other computer files and information for adequate viewing or plotting.

How will local government maintain this digital information? I suspect that with high employee turnover, sporadic backup procedures and changes in file formats and software, the ability to archive these electronic files for later use will be minimal.

The overriding duty of local government officials is the interests of their citizens, not the convenience of architects or the overall ecology of the planet. From this standpoint, the use of physical plans will continue for quite some time.

LEWIS SOLOFF

Santa Monica

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It was comical to see how the writer elevated the architectural profession for embracing changes and placed the blame on building department bureaucrats for slowing down digital expedients. I guess for now it is fashionable to blame bureaucrats for any shortfalls.

Building officials have been collaborating and communicating with architects and engineers digitally for some time. The technology has not come up with an acceptable means to completely eliminate paper plans. No one is to blame. We are all going through this digital evolution. It will happen sooner than we all expect.

TONY DORMANESH

Lake Forest

The writer is a Building and Safety engineer for the city of Irvine.