Real-Life Decision Making
You work for a large architectural engineering firm that has
just been handed a plum assignment: the renovation of a turn-of-the-century
library.
As the firm's building heritage specialist, your mandate is to adapt
this city icon for its present-day needs while maintaining as much of its
historic character as possible. It's the first job the firm has done
for the city and you're anxious to do it right.
Nearly everyone who steps into the library remarks on the poor air quality.
As you begin your survey of the building's condition, you immediately
see why. The aging ventilation system is in much worse shape than previous
reports have stated. In fact, you begin to suspect that it's behind those
mysterious headaches the workers have been complaining about for years.
You know that you have to replace the system, but you're worried that
trying to do it in a historically sensitive manner will end up eating your
budget.
"Often when you're bidding, you'll bid low," explains Sally Drummond.
She works with a heritage consultants' association. "And depending on
a project, you've got to come back and ask for more money."
The firm can go to the city and request additional funds, but the partners
are reluctant to do that. They suggest you continue your survey and try to
find creative ways to cut down on other costs.
You eagerly take up the challenge. Building heritage specialists "tend
to like mysteries, researching, finding the hidden answers," says Dave Mertz.
He chairs the National Council for Historic Preservation.
Sure enough, you discover that it would be much cheaper to simply replace
the building's windows rather than restore them. It would also save the
city thousands of dollars in heating bills, since the old windows are not
energy-efficient.
On the other hand, many patrons consider the windows one of the library's
most remarkable features.
When you mention replacing the windows as a cost-cutting measure, the partners
immediately applaud your ingenuity. They also hint that by saving taxpayers
on heating bills, you may help win the firm some influential friends.
You point out that you could also make the windows more energy-efficient
in the course of restoration, though not as cheaply as you would by replacing
them.
The partners say they'll leave the decision up to you.
What do you do?