Adam J. French, AIA, NCARB
The expert search landed on your desk. A maze of discovery tells fragments of the same story. Somewhere in that record is the architectural question, and the evidence to answer it. I am a forensic architect and expert witness retained in construction defect, premises liability, property damage, and insurance subrogation claims. I investigate buildings when they fail from water intrusion, roof collapse, construction defects, overlooked details, and decisions hidden in the walls waiting for gravity to finish the job. The building’s story comes to focus. Counsel gains command of the architectural facts.
People move through buildings following paths that architecture presents. In premises liability cases, I evaluate the stairs, ramps, handrails, guardrails, walking surfaces, changes in level, lighting, entries, and accessible routes that prompt movement. I analyze premises liability conditions as an architect who has actually designed the building conditions now in dispute. The analysis considers what condition was present, how the surrounding architecture affected it, and whether the evidence raises a question within my professional scope. When a claim rests solely on a temporary liquid, surface friction, or another condition unrelated to the building’s design or construction, the trail leads to a different discipline.
The climate whispers, then it roars, testing the promises the building made. In property damage claims, I evaluate wind-driven rain, roof distress, moisture intrusion, damaged interior finishes, and the exterior assemblies intended to keep the elements out. The analysis considers whether the observed conditions are consistent with the reported event, what may indicate deterioration or pre-existing damage, and the appropriate scope of repair.
In construction defect cases, I evaluate water intrusion and moisture migration, roofing and drainage, flashing, windows and doors, stucco and siding, balconies and decks, flooring systems, accessibility, fire-resistance-rated construction, and means of egress. The investigation follows the evidence from the design documents, details, and specifications to the conditions built in the field. It considers plan deviations, nonconforming construction, causation within architectural scope, and whether the proposed repairs reasonably address the underlying conditions, or merely cover its tracks.
If the codes in doubt, I’ll sort it out.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Architect Liability
- Building Codes
- Construction Damages
- Construction Insurance
- Interior Design
- Liability Insurance
- Premises Liability
- Property & Casualty Insurance
- Ramp & Stairs
- Slip, Trip & Fall
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Licensed Architect – State of California
Registered Architect – State of Texas
Registered Architect – State of Louisiana
NCARB Certified – National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
Five-year professional degree, Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Construction defect, premises liability, and property damage, including water intrusion and building envelope performance. https://architectadamfrench.com/topics/premises-liability-architect-expert.html https://architectadamfrench.com/topics/construction-defect-architect-expert.html https://architectadamfrench.com/architect-expert-witness.html
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Consulting, site inspections, document and drawing review, building condition evaluation, origin and cause analysis, code compliance analysis, destructive testing coordination, repair scope evaluation, expert reports, rebuttal reports, deposition testimony, trial testimony, and demonstratives.
Available Upon Request