ESL Podcast 946 - Designing a Building

blueprint - a detailed drawing, usually in blue ink, containing all the information needed to construct a particular building

Can you revise these blueprints to make the closets a little bit bigger?

to bring (something) to life - to make something seem real; to do something that allows other people visualize something and believe that it is happening or will happen

The author provides great descriptions, but the dialogue between the characters is what really brings the story to life.

to envision - to be able to imagine something so that one can almost see it in one's mind; to have a clear picture in one's mind of what something will look like or how it will be

Very few people live in this town right now, but I can envision a day in the future when it will grow as big as Chicago.

architect - a person who designs buildings; a person whose job is to plan and make detailed drawings of buildings that have not yet been built

Lyle wants to become an architect who specializes in designing energy-efficient buildings.

design - a plan showing how something will look or how it will function, especially one combining technical characteristics with creative and aesthetic (beauty) considerations

The city is holding a contest to have people submit designs for the new park.

surveyor - a person who makes detailed measurement to determine the exact location of something and/or the distance between two objects, especially in preparation for construction projects

The surveyors are taking measurements now, so in a few weeks we should be able to start laying down the new road.

civil engineer - a person whose job is to design bridges, roads, dams, and similar structures

A team of civil engineers are looking at the condition of bridges in this state.

to take all of the credit - to accept the praise or admiration for some success without mentioning all the other people who helped to make it happen

We were shocked when Margaret took all of the credit for the report, especially since her teammates had done much more of the writing than she had.

to solicit bids - to request proposals and budgets from other organizations; to ask other organizations or businesses to submit written documents explaining how they will provide a particular service, including how much it will cost

Is it legal to solicit bids from a company owned by a relative?

general contractor - a person who manages a construction project, performing some of the work, but mostly communicating with specialists doing the work

A general contractor should know a lot of electricians, plumbers, drywall installers, and construction workers.

specifications - detailed instructions for following a plan, especially to create or build something

An engineer has to approve the specifications before building can begin.

accurate - precise; exactly correct

The doctor said his blood pressure was 150/85, but those numbers weren't accurate, and the next reading showed he had normal blood pressure.

permit - official permission to do something, especially to create, modify, or destroy a building

Does your company have a permit to close this street to traffic for the day?

building site - a piece of land where there is a construction project; where something is being built

Everyone who steps onto the building site must wear a hardhat, safety glasses, and heavy boots.

to tear down - to destroy something, especially a building, so that nothing is left

The first thing they did after buying that old house was to tear down the ugly storage shed in the backyard.

stumbling block - an obstacle; something that makes a project more difficult or slower, but not impossible

Having a learning disability was a stumbling block for Chelsea in elementary school, but she found ways to work around it and become a top student.

to clear the hurdles - to deal with challenges or problems so that one can continue with what one wants to do; to overcome obstacles

Let's fill out this paperwork. Then, once we've cleared the administrative hurdles, we can talk about potential partnership opportunities.

interior designer - a person whose job is to use furniture, fabrics, lighting, paint, and other things to make a room or the inside of a building more attractive

The interior designer suggested painting the fireplace bright orange, but it's my least favorite color.