Observe
Site visits, endoscopic probes, moisture mapping, and thermal imaging.
Building Forensics
Findings that hold up.
Envelope failures, defect litigation, and property condition — the same disciplined method whether the audience is a lender, an owner, or a jury.
Discipline
One discipline. Connected to the whole.
We observe, document, analyze, and report with a defensible chain of evidence and clear, direct conclusions.
Our work connects existing conditions to practical next steps, helping owners and project teams understand building problems, evaluate repair strategies, and plan what comes next.
Building Knowledge · From the field
A closer look.
A better question.
Watch our team investigate roof assemblies, concealed moisture, and building-envelope details.
Crunch Time
A roof inspection captures audible crunching and movement as the surface is walked. The sound and deflection offer clues about the condition beneath the roof covering. The clip shows why an investigation considers how an assembly responds, as well as how it looks.
Insulation or Sponge?
The field team presses exposed insulation and observes water being released. The close view shows moisture held within material that would normally be concealed in the building enclosure. It illustrates why an investigation may need to examine the layers beneath the finished surface.
Pillow Talk
The team examines movement and pillowing in a single-ply roof membrane. Close views show the covering changing shape during the field check. The demonstration highlights a condition that calls for closer examination of the roof assembly.
Your Ceiling Left a Message
A visible ceiling stain and bubbling paint document signs of water intrusion. The camera records the affected finish and the pattern of discoloration. These observations provide a starting point for tracing moisture back to its source.
Wood You Look at That
An enclosure investigation exposes wood that can be pulled apart by hand. The close view documents the condition of material hidden behind the exterior finish. The clip illustrates why the visible surface alone may not reveal the extent of deterioration.
Details Behind the Drips
An opened roof-edge area exposes layers normally hidden by the finished exterior. The view shows the relationship between the roof, wall, and drainage detail. It illustrates why investigating a leak often requires looking inside the assembly.
Liquid-applied WRB: what to look for
The field team examines a liquid-applied weather-resistive barrier that is not fully adhered to its backing. The close view documents separation in a layer intended to help manage water at the exterior wall. It shows why adhesion and continuity matter when assessing an enclosure.
Trapped water at an expansion joint
The field team removes an expansion joint and backer rod by hand, releasing trapped water. The sequence documents water retained within the assembly and the condition of the joint as it is opened. It provides a direct view of a moisture-management problem that was concealed behind the finished surface.
Process
A clear path through complex work.
Explore each stage of the investigation.
Document
Chain-of-custody photography, standard-form field notes, and dated logs.
Analyze
Material testing, code review, and standard-of-care comparison.
Report
Written opinions built to survive deposition and cross-examination.
Litigation support
Expert analysis, deposition preparation, and testimony to help legal teams understand and communicate the building evidence.
Services
What we deliver.
Building Forensics · F.01
Forensic Architecture
Design defects, code violations, and standard-of-care disputes for owners and counsel.
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Building Forensics · F.02
Material Sciences
Envelope, roofing, waterproofing, and material failure investigation with lab-supported findings.
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Building Forensics · F.03
Litigation Support & Expert Witness
Expert reports, depositions, and trial testimony for construction defect and insurance cases.
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Building Forensics · F.04
Due Diligence & Property Condition
PCAs, reserve studies, and pre-purchase reviews for owners, lenders, and REITs.
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Building Forensics · F.05
QA / QC During Construction
Quality Control and Quality Assurance through third-party observations that catch envelope and structural issues before they are concealed.
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Building Forensics · F.06
Historic Preservation Review
SHPO coordination, preservation reports, and tax-credit support.
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Architectural details from our historic-preservation collection. Images illustrate building features, not a regulatory determination or project-specific review finding.
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