Sourcing

The Architect is into ‘sourcing’ (as I believe it is now called across the water) all the materials for the facade. This is no mean feat and involves a lot of internet browsing, and faxing and sending of emails. Of course, for any ordinary project, you’d just turn up at the nearest do-it-yourself mega store with a list and a hire truck. Unfortunately for The Architect, he has chosen a panoply of apparently exotic materials (at least in the eyes of the average French builders merchant). Silly architect tempted by all those glossy pamphlets with the buy line ‘as used by Johnny Novelty in his latest you’ve never seen this one before project’.

Take for instance the insulation. Chosen for its quite impressive U value (keep warm factor for the uninitiated) the material comes in the form of black panels of solidified molten glass foam. The material is made in the USA and there is only one authorized dealer for the whole of France. As the only source for this amazing 21st century insulating material one would imagine that they would know all about the product. Well you’d be mistaken. They haven’t a clue.
I know it’s black. They know it’s black; So far so good. I know it needs an F bracket every 4th row. They’ve never heard of the F bracket. I know the glue comes in 13kilo tubs. They’ve only got 28kilo tubs……

Jennifer: ‘Ere Chantal, this blokes asking me for an F bracket, you ‘eard a that?’
Chantal: ‘Naa, never had an F bracket before’

3 days later and there’s still no quote. I suppose they’re out looking for an F bracket.