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Tom Butt, Founder of Interactive Resources, Inc. and Former Richmond Mayor, Receives National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Highest Honor
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has awarded the prestigious Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award to Tom Butt, founder and President of Interactive Resources, Inc. This esteemed award, the National Trust’s highest national honor, recognizes Tom Butt’s...
Tom Butt, Founder of Interactive Resources, Inc. and Former Richmond Mayor, Receives National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Highest Honor
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has awarded the prestigious Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award to Tom Butt, founder and President of Interactive Resources, Inc. This esteemed award, the National Trust’s highest national honor, recognizes Tom Butt’s...
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,...
Water Testing as a Diagnostic Tool for Building Leaks
In the field of construction diagnostics and litigation, water testing is frequently used to find the source of water intrusion, and less frequently, to proof test prototypical repairs. Selecting the type of test and conducting it properly is important, not only so...
The Search for the Perfect Weather-Resistive Barrier
The following article appeared in the February 1999 edition of Energy Design Update, a technical newsletter published by Cutter Information Corporation. ASTM Task Group to Write New Standards for Weather-Resistive Barriers We have some good news…and some bad. The good...
Local Government Takes Aim at Invasive Exotic Plants
The following article is from the Winter issue of Noxious Times, a quarterly publication of the California Interagency Noxious Weed Coordinating Committee. It describes legislation authored by Interactive Resources, Inc. President, Thomas K. Butt, FAIA, who is also a...
Architects Required To Use Written Contracts for Architectural Services
Assembly Bill 969, signed by Governor Wilson on July 17, 1995, requires architects to use written contracts. The California Business and Professions Code now includes the following requirement for written contracts: Section 5536.22. (a) An architect shall use a...
Vinyl Windows May Exacerbate Water Intrusion in Stucco Walls
In a recent investigation by Interactive Resources, Inc. of water intrusion into stucco walls, it appeared that the leak path was through an unusually large joint between the stucco and the frame of vinyl windows. Thermal Expansion of Building Materials Used for and...