Talk:C. B. Goldsmith and Associates (CBGandA), Clearwater, Florida, USA
From Archiplanet
C. B. Goldsmith & Associates, Inc. (CBG&A) is a professional organization, combining both architecture and mechanical engineering, and adding a unique and highly specialized dimension: a firm providing technical consulting related to Forensic Architecture. The majority of our work relates to the analysis and correction of problems with existing construction, and the rest is in design review and specialized construction supervision, all intended to prevent design and performance flaws. We have a broad scope of expertise related to interior mechanical and building envelope systems, both in manufacturing and installation of components.
For more than forty (40) years a unique aspect of our firm's practice has been in the forensic
investigation of construction defects. Building owners, architects, contractors, subcontractors and
attorneys have retained CBG&A for our expertise. We consider ourselves to be a highly specialized
firm, specifically dealing with the technical aspects of problems in construction. The result is the
generation of information reports, expert testimony, construction documents, implementation plans
and details, peer review of construction documents, diagnosis, and prevention of significant
malfunctions, defects, and failures for all aspects of construction planning, design, execution, and
usage. Generally, we limit our architectural services to specialized work such as building
restoration, remediation, and renovations.
Our organization is one of registered architects, graduate engineers and building renovation experts
who hold memberships in the American Institute of Architects, Wind Engineering Research Council,
American Society for Testing and Materials, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), National Society of Professional Engineers, Florida Engineering
Society, Roof Consultants Institute, and various other professional groups.
We have been accepted by federal and circuit court systems as experts in the field of building and
roofing technology and have served as consultants to leading architectural firms, law firms,
insurance companies and municipalities throughout the United States. Additionally, we have done
extensive forensic investigative work, including work for the U.S. Air Force, County governments
and local School Boards.
We provide numerous architectural services including:
-Roofing, waterproofing and general building envelope consulting/surveys
-Peer review of Construction Documents during the design phase
-Forensic investigation and analysis of construction and mechanical problems
-Leak investigation - moisture infiltration
-Construction documents
-Quality assurance
-Contract administration
-Investigation of accidents and disputes related to construction, materials and technologies
-Failure and disaster investigation
-Expert testimony
Roofing, building envelope, and mechanical surveys are essential planning and budgeting tools for all building owners. Our building professionals can readily determine the condition of a client's roof(s) and other building envelope components, and estimate the remaining useful life. Life cycle cost analysis, (life expectancy modeling before and after repairs) along with budget cost for repair or replacement enables us to analyze the situation and assist our client in making the best decisions.
CBG&A's skilled professionals are adept at surveying all types of building components and systems. We can incorporate this information into a comprehensive asset management program, complete with life cycle cost analysis, or treat each as stand-alone assets. Our services also include due diligence surveys for property owners wishing to purchase a building or refinance a project.
Forensic Investigation and Analysis:
CBG&A excels in finding the cause of leaks, Building Code violations and failures and malfunctions of mechanical equipment in all types of construction projects. Our team of forensic experts includes Architects, Professional Engineers, and experienced field technicians. Our technicians are trained and licensed in the use of non-destructive nuclear moisture detection gauges as well as electrical conductance and infrared type of gauges. We perform water infiltration testing for all types of roofs, windows, all types of walls, storefronts, below grade leaks, plaza decks, and other building envelope components. We provide expert witness testimony in court cases arising from building systems failures, define culpability, remedial solutions, provide budget cost estimates, and assist with negotiating settlements.
CBG&A's professional and technical staff has extensive experience in roofing, waterproofing, and all types of building envelope systems. These professionals identify leak sources and determine the cause of leaks, assist in temporary leak repairs as well as permanent remedial measures. For detection of leaks, we use all types of technologically advanced equipment available today including, non-destructive nuclear moisture detection gauges, electrical conductance gauges and infrared devices, based on standard testing methods as well as procedures and analysis developed in-house for locating sources of leaks.
CBG&A's team of architects, engineers, draftsmen, estimators and field technicians specialize in preparing construction documents that are clear and concise. Our team approach allows us to take advantage of our staff's varied background to assure that the documents represent the best design approach to every project, meets client's budgets and long term needs and can be built in time. The drawings are generally prepared in industry standard AutoCAD software, which enables us to exchange files with other Architects. Our specifications are prepared in Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) format by accredited specification writers.
CBG&A has reviewed and analyzed 100's of millions of dollars worth of construction failures as both a forensic expert as well as a remedial design expert. In our experience, most of construction defects are due to "construction errors" as opposed to "design errors". Consequently, construction quality errors and design defects reduce the average effective life expectancy of roofing systems, sealants and waterproofing systems by 50% to 75% of their optimum life expectancy. Annually, Billions of dollars worth of roofing and waterproofing systems are wastefully torn off and redone due to lack of quality control during the original construction. For example, average life expectancy of roofing systems is less than 12 years as opposed to 20+ years, and average life expectancy of sealants is 7 years or less as opposed to 15+ years. If properly applied and designed, the same roofing and waterproofing systems will not only be more reliable, they can last twice as long. Quality Assurance (construction observation) has the potential to make the most significant difference in the life expectancy of roofing or waterproofing systems. CBG&A provides both full-time as well as part-time quality assurance monitoring tailored to suit the needs of each project. Our personnel are highly trained in all aspects of building envelope construction including roofing, cement plaster, sealants, EIFS and coating systems.
CBG&A can provide complete on-site Contract Administration services during the entire construction phase of the project. Our services includes:
-Preparing Contracts: We assist Owners by preparing complete construction contracts as part of our bidding package. The proper type of contract and contract language enables us to fully execute the construction documents to the Owner’s requirements.
-Construction Observation Services: We observe the construction project using periodic inspection, review of project schedules, pre-construction and progress meetings, providing design clarifications, review submittals and shop drawings, progress payments, punch-list inspection and assist in the closeout procedure.
-Construction Inspection: On most of our critical roofing and waterproofing applications, we recommend full-time quality assurance. We offer full-time as well as part-time observation to monitor design adherence and quality application. In roofing, cement plaster application, waterproofing of traffic bearing surfaces, below grade waterproofing, window and storefront application, installation of mechanical equipment or other critical trades, quality assurance inspection is the most significant factor in reducing application errors. Our many clients respect our commitment to high quality and professional service. We also have a strong reputation for our expertise in institutional, commercial, and industrial facilities, as well as in insurance, forensic engineering, and product liability investigations.
As a standard practice, CBG&A follows guidelines endorsed by the American Institute of Architects:
Recommended Practices for Design Professionals Engaged as Experts in the Resolution of
Construction Industry Disputes. Our reports are structured to present the problem, the solution, and
responsibility. Our analysis is methodical and logical with a focus on the client's need to understand
the risks associated with various issues.
Forensic architecture and engineering is distinctive in that it requires a look into the past to see not
only what the design professional designed years ago, but also what Codes were in effect, what
the effective edition of the Code required as to issues in contention, and how products were
generally used and installed at the time of the building's construction. Our analysis typically
includes a survey of the physical conditions of the building, document review, Code, industry
standard and product research.
Subsequent to our analysis, we draw conclusions as to culpability and explain the reasoning behind
the conclusion. We prepare documentation which provides a numeric breakdown of various
problems in a distressed building, the party or parties responsible for the deficiency, and our opinion
of the required repair efforts associated with the problem.
CBG&A has a reputation for distinctive and practical design solutions, and our construction details
are always customized for specific installations. Our extensive knowledge of building envelope
technology and mechanical equipment and our participation in leading edge industry organizations
affords CBG&A unsurpassed expertise in the area of forensic and retrofit design.
