Scott Murphree-Roberts

The mission of the Construction Specifications Institute is to continuously improve the process of creating and sustaining the built environment. We do that by facilitating communication among all those involved in that process. Our 70 local members represent all the disciplines engaged in nonresidential building design, review and construction. CSI developed the familiar “16-division” format for construction specifications.

How does the local chapter work to fulfill that mission?

Our chapter meetings provide a forum for members of the local construction industry to meet and discuss the issues that confront all of us. Our programs educate the members about the specific materials, processes and methods involved in site and building construction. Some programs involve plant tours.

What is your organization’s role in the local construction industry?

We provide a meeting place for all the members of the construction industry – architects, engineers, contractors, materials suppliers and government staff. We focus on improving communication through clear, concise, complete and correct project construction specifications. Those specifications and the construction drawings are the main vehicles through which all the construction players communicate.

What effect have recent trends toward environmentally friendly building had on your organization and its members?

The national CSI organization has promoted writing “green” specifications as well as specifications that improve a project’s ability to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards and be LEED certified.

What types of community outreach or involvement does CSI have throughout the year?

Southwest Missouri CSI’s yearly trade show in January allows local materials representatives to show their products to architects, engineers, code officials and facility managers.

Our chapter’s Construction Industry Research Program provides grants to student teams from local colleges and universities to research questions that affect the built environment in southwest Missouri. This year’s topic will probably center around affordable ways to build energy efficiency into commercial construction or to retrofit it in.

CSI’s local building performance seminars provide a daylong opportunity for local designers and code officials to learn about aspects of building performance from nationally recognized authorities. Last May, more than 100 local professionals learned the ins and outs of moisture and mold control from Joe Lstibureck, Ph.D., a principal of Building Science Corp. in Boston. Lstibureck is a forensic engineer who investigates building failures and is internationally recognized as an authority on moisture-related building problems and indoor air quality.