When people look at the Aspire Mickleham Childcare Centre today, they see a bold design and complex roof structure. But what they don’t see is the weeks of questions, clarifications, and coordination that turned a challenging concept into a buildable reality.
As the detailer on this project, I had the privilege of leading that journey from RFI to reality.
Asking the Right Questions
Every RFI (Request for Information) was a chance to uncover something critical. Far from being “extra paperwork,” they became the backbone of accuracy.
Some of the key clarifications included:
- Solar Panel & AC Unit Load: Confirming the additional loads (approx. 1450kg from solar panels + AC units) and ensuring trusses were engineered accordingly.
- Cavity in Truss: Adjusting designs to receive and hold perpendicular trusses as per client sketches.
- Opening Tolerance: Using a standard CAD template to confirm values and avoid site confusion.
- Zero Wastage Detailing: Requesting RFIs for baseplate cut-outs and fixing strategies to avoid rework and material waste on site.
- Plumbing pipe cutout in walls to avoid wastage
Each question was about more than just an answer — it was about preventing future problems.
From Model to Site – Zero Errors
The best part of this journey came when the frames finally reached site:
✔️ No clashes.
✔️ No cutting or rework.
✔️ Every frame and truss installed as detailed.
That’s when all the late-night checks and careful RFIs paid off.
Lessons Learned
For me, Aspire Mickleham reinforced one truth:
👉 Great projects are always built twice — first in detailing, then on site.
RFIs aren’t obstacles. They are opportunities to make a design smarter, safer, and truly buildable. Without them, risks multiply. With them, complexity becomes precision.
Closing Thoughts
This project wasn’t just about steel frames — it was proof that coordination can transform complexity into a zero-error success.
Behind every great project is detailing that asks the right questions.
If you’ve faced RFI challenges or detailing issues on site,
I’d love to hear your story — and share how we solved ours at Aspire Mickleham.
— Priyan Gandhi
Light Gauge Steel Detailer, TEK1 Pty Ltd.
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