News + Ideas
Our thoughts, publications, white papers, research and current events.
Interactive Resources, Inc. Attends the 2024 California Preservation Foundation Conference
The annual California Preservation Foundation (CPF) Conference was recently held in downtown Los Angeles, hosted at the fabulous Millenium Biltmore Hotel, which celebrated its 100th Anniversary last year. The conference theme this year was Building Shelter, Community,...
Interactive Resources, Inc. Attends the 2024 California Preservation Foundation Conference
The annual California Preservation Foundation (CPF) Conference was recently held in downtown Los Angeles, hosted at the fabulous Millenium Biltmore Hotel, which celebrated its 100th Anniversary last year. The conference theme this year was Building Shelter, Community,...
Weather Resistive Barriers and Flexible Flashings
AAMA WESTERN REGION MEETING September 16 - 17, 2003 Ontario Airport Marriott Click here for PDF version of this presentation, as delivered at the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Western Region Meeting.
Hardboard and OSB Siding
Many manufacturers of hardboard and oriented strand board (OSB) siding have been hit with class-action lawsuits across the country. Oriented-strand board (OSB) siding is made from wood strands that are oriented in layers under heat and pressure. The top layer is resin...
Performance of Asphalt Fiberglass Shingles
Horizontal or vertical splitting or cracking of fiberglass shingles has been a concern in the roofing industry over recent years. Following complaints from roofing contractors, studies done by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association in 1992 and 1995 showed...
Limiting Construction Failure Losses – A Challenge for the Insurance Industry
Thomas K. Butt, AIA, is President and John E. Clinton, SE, AIA, is Chairman of the Board of Interactive Resources, Inc., an architecture-engineering firm in Richmond, California. Mr. Butt is a registered architect, licensed general contractor, and real estate broker....
Complex Roofing Design Earns Interactive Resources, Inc. an RCI Award
When the twenty-two year old built-up roofing system began to fail in 1991, the Navy decided to re-roof Building 680. Totaling 2,260 squares, Building 680 has one big roof! Constructed in 1993 to house an assembly line for submarines, the design was typical of...
American Institute of Architects California Chapter Proposes Changes to Certificate of Merit Law
The American Institute of Architects California Chapter (AIACC) is pursuing an amendment to either the Senate or Assembly Judiciary Committee Omnibus bills that would modify the process for certificates of merit in litigation involving design professionals. For...
ASTM Task Group Addresses Challenges of Designing and Constructing Weather-Resistant Frame Buildings
History STM Task Group E06.21.14, chaired by Serge Fedorov, AIA, an architect with the Oakland, CA Housing Authority, is closing in on a national standard that is intended to result in low-rise frame buildings that are resistant to leaks. The draft document, entitled...
The Practice of Architecture in California and Architectural Negligence
Architecture and Expert Witnesses In litigation, the determination of architectural negligence, or malpractice as it is commonly known, has to be evidenced by testimony of expert witnesses. In assessing whether or not an architect conformed to the "standard of care,"...
Architect Disciplined for Designing a Flat Deck
The Uniform Building Code requirements for plaza decks (waterproofed surfaces designed for pedestrian-type occupancy) has always been somewhat ambiguous in the past, inviting experts in construction litigation to testify both in defense of and in criticism of...
Environmentally Certified Wood Products
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-profit, non-government organization that was founded in 1993 by a diverse group of representatives from environmental institutions, the timber trade, forestry professionals, indigenous peoples' organizations,...