Letters

Ghafari appreciates the interest in its BIM programs and applications, but your November 2007 article “Further Down the Merry Road to BIM” (p. 52) contained some inaccuracies that we feel need to be corrected:

• Ghafari is the design professional for some major structures at the New Doha International Airport, but is not the designer of the airport.

• Ghafari is part of an international team providing the design services. While part of our scope of work does include coordination of design work, Ghafari is not in charge of coordinating the Building Team. Ghafari’s client is an international joint venture, which works directly for NDIA. The project manager is OBI.

• Ghafari has filled the role of BIM integrator on multiple projects, however, not on the NDIA project.

• While the totality of our experience was certainly considered in awarding the NDIA project, our aviation group’s project-specific experience was the major consideration in winning the project.

• Ghafari does use Projectwise, but it is not the main collaboration program for the NDIA project.

• Robert Stevenson is not the partner in charge for the NDIA project.

Rick Scimeca

Marketing Communications Manager

Ghafari

Dearborn, Mich.

I just read your Best AEC Firms To Work For report (BD+C March 2008, p. 45). I have to ask you this: How do these firms get selected?

My firm has been a “best firm to work for” with another magazine in previous years. However, last week several of us were told we were being laid off for “financial reasons.” In my case, I relocated to Chesapeake, Va., from New York City last year to open our urban design office in southern Virginia. As is to be expected with being completely new to the area, I have to work hard to put our name out there and make contacts. I brought in some business and established some relationships that now are starting to pay off, but my services are no longer required after next month, and I’ve been told that “we do not offer severance” and “do not give recommendation letters.” This after I moved my entire life here for this job!

Worse yet, my colleague was told the same, just two weeks after his wife gave birth!

Name withheld at writer’s request

Chesapeake, Va.