Amir M. Abu-Jaber

Amir has coordinated and executed forensic architecture projects at all stages related to litigation for construction defects, architect’s standard of care, and entitlement claims. He has developed intrusive testing protocols, investigated and documented on-site data, prepared reports of findings, and produced trial presentation materials and illustrations. Amir has experience analyzing contract documents and project records for design and construction defect matters related to fire-resistance rated construction and the weather-resistance of the building envelope under the requirements of the International Residential Code and the International Building Code.

As a project architect, Amir has contributed to design teams to provide traditional architectural design services, including programming analysis, site development plan review, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction contract administration for educational, commercial, institutional, retail, and residential project types.

Amir has also worked in the public sector as an architect in development services for the City and County of Denver. He conducted review of residential construction documents and use permit applications for compliance with the requirements of the local building code and zoning code, while working closely with the chief building official and zoning administrator in the adoption, amendment, and maintenance processes for those codes. Amir also provided presentations, illustrations, and ongoing trainings for internal staff and advised both stakeholders and local elected officials on technical life-safety and zoning code matters.

Examples of his professional experience include:

• Assisted in the architectural forensic field investigation, building code analysis, and reporting for owner’s design defect and construction defect claims leading in part to a $18.4 million settlement related to the approximately $66.7 million expansion of a continuing care facility. The project included the addition of 103 independent living apartments in a four-story wood-framed building, 37 assisted living units in a masonry and steel structure, a memory care center, and an outpatient rehabilitation center. Design and construction issues included defective stucco cladding installation, defective window flashing installation, waterproofing failures of exterior decks, nonconforming fire-resistance rated construction of roof-ceiling and floor-ceiling assemblies, nonconforming fire-resistance rated construction of stairway and elevator shaft enclosures, defective fire walls, and defective construction of means of egress components.
• Assisted in the analysis of the architect’s standard of care related to the design for 116 for-rent apartment units in a 145,000-square foot concrete and steel building clad in metal panels and brick veneer. Design issues included improper design of the fire-resistance rated construction of the exterior wall assemblies, leading to increased construction costs and delays to the project’s completion resulting from required repairs to achieve building code compliance during construction.
• Performed architectural construction contract administration services for affordable housing townhouses in wood-framed buildings designed on land provided by the Denver Housing Authority and funded by the City and County of Denver Office of Economic Development. Expedited project during the construction phase by promptly reviewing pay applications, providing responses to all backlogged contractor RFI and submittal documents, designing repairs for non-conforming as-built conditions, and issuing site observation reports.
• Assisted in the architectural forensic investigation leading to a $2.6 million settlement related to contractor’s claims for delay and unresolved change order proposals during the construction of additions, renovations, and accessibility improvements for a community college theater and performing arts building.
• Assisted in the architectural forensic field investigation, building code analysis, and reporting for owner’s design defect and construction defect claims related to the approximately $28.7 million construction of 248 residential condominium units in four separate wood-framed buildings over underground parking garages. Design and construction issues included defective stucco cladding installation, defective brick veneer installation, and waterproofing failures of exterior decks. Designed and produced construction documents and provided construction contract administration services for cantilevered wood deck waterproofing repairs.
• Assisted in the architectural forensic field investigation, building code analysis, and reporting for owner’s design defect and construction defect claims related to the construction of 141 residential condominium units in 26 separate wood-framed buildings. Design and construction issues included defective stucco cladding and adhered synthetic stone veneer installation, defective installation of the weather-resistive barrier and window flashing, and waterproofing failures of exterior decks. Designed and produced construction documents for exterior stucco cladding and window installation repairs.