Our Services

Architecture l Waterpoofing l Material Science

Fields Design collaborates with building owners, their architects, and contractors to collaboratively ensure expectations are aligned and fulfilled. We assure the technical aspects of the building envelope waterproofing design can be executed while maintaining the integrity of the architectural design.

Design Peer Review

Fields Design offers a variety of architectural design services for both new construction and existing buildings that includes:

Recommending building envelope waterproofing systems
Peer reviewing design drawings and construction documents and providing red-line mark-ups
Provide sketches and details for inclusion with the construction drawings
Developing and producing outline and/or technical specifications for our scope of work
Bidding and negotiation support
Construction phase support reviewing submittals, requests for substitutions, and requests for information
Construction phase site visits to observe waterproofing installation

Remedial Repairs

Building envelopes require maintenance and often need repairs and/or updating. We assist clients in assessing and prioritizing repairs, renovations, or improvements to existing structures. Our goal is to help our clients make informed decisions and establish a repair scope suited to each unique project. When you need to make repairs, whether identified by a leaking window, during litigation, or due to a building condition assessment, we can:

Recommend building envelope waterproofing systems
Peer review design drawings and construction documents
Develop and produce outline and/or technical specifications for our scope of work
Conduct water testing to diagnose and identify deficient units and/or construction

Forensic Investigations

Often times, the mode of failure in existing structures can't be readily determined without limited demolition. A forensic investigation provides an opportunity to determine critical areas and the likely cause of damage or water intrusion, as well as help to create an informed repair schedule. Investigation services include:

Water intrusion/leak investigations
Design and construction defect investigations
Review of historical documents, such as construction documents, maintenance records, etc.
Diagnostic water testing per American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 502, 503, and 511 and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1105, D5957, and E2128
Destructive testing, if applicable
As-built condition surveys to determine compliance with design and construction documents
Recommend repair scope and materials

Facility Assessments

We provide third-party expertise and assessments of building envelope conditions. We have knowledge and experience with various construction types and materials as well as deck and balcony review. New state and local regulations have now made balcony assessments a requirement. Our facility assessment services include:

Due diligence reports
Assessments complying with SB 326 and SB 721 (California Civil Code § 5551)
Reviews complying with San Francisco's deck and balcony inspection requirements
Reviews complying with Berkeley's inspection and certification of weather exposed elements (Berkeley Housing Code § 601.4)
Assessment of building facades per ASTM E2270
HOA Board presentation of report

Performance Testing

We conduct testing in order to diagnose and identify water intrusion issues in building assemblies, windows, and doors. We can perform fenestration testing on both new and existing units. Often new windows and doors do not perform to their stated water penetration resistance rating. Some types of performance testing services we can provide includes:

Establishing performance criteria and testing parameters
Differential pressure testing per ASTM standards
On-site field testing of new construciton mock-ups
On-site testing of existing fenestration units
Flood testing of decks per ASTM standards
Non-destructive testing, where applicable
Testing reports with general repair recommendations and performance analysis

Litigation Support

Fields Design is uniquely qualified to provide litigation support based on our background as a licensed architect and attorney at law. With this unique combination of experience, we are well-situated to provide informed and effective services. Some of these construction litigation support services includes:

Assistance to clients (both plaintiff and defendant), their legal representative, and contractor in preparing for construction litigation cases
Participation in settlement conferences, mediation, and arbitration
Expert witness for depositions and trial testimony
Testing services to confirm the performance and quality of installed assemblies, such as fenestration, decks, etc.
Research and analysis