While building and construction represent a wide variety of exciting, productive and useful purposes, they can also represent significant challenges and frustrations. Building Science Services’ mission is to resolve the frustrations through the application of Forensic architecture, Prevention assessments and Training services.
Building Science Services is a team of unique building professionals that provide technical and educational services to Building Owners, Contractors, Law Firms, Design & Engineering professionals, Construction service providers, Insurance professionals and others with interest and investment in building performance outcomes.
Building Science Services was created in response to two growing needs in the building industry. First to better understand building performance issues. Second to better understand people performance issues. With this holistic approach the team is able to identify and understand building performance issues more completely.
Founder, Kenneth Pearl, has been active for decades in the diagnostic and forensic investigation of construction disputes, building deterioration and failure, criminal events, substandard design and engineering, property and injury liabilities, maintenance and repair, and a wide variety of building performance problems. Although most of their work remains privileged and confidential in deference to the trust and discretion required of many of their clients, the frequency and volume of their services increased significantly following the partial public release of their successful roles in the 2000 Rosa’s Superstore wrongful death and arson fire matter.
“We have been involved in solving building problems, very successfully, and very quietly for a long period of time, and it always seemed a shame to lock those lessons learned away in our files after each case or project,” said Ken Pearl. “What changed for us was when our new team members introduced us to a system for teaching not only the technical lessons to others, but the more personal individual lessons and skill development tools as well.”
Foss adds, “Building problems don’t just result from some technical, trade-craft, engineering, or code problem, they often can be traced to flaws in individual decision making, team leadership issues, or even talent omissions when needed most. Being able to understand building issues from both team and individual decision making processes is just as important.”
The company continues to specialize in forensic architecture and engineering, construction remediation and expert witness services. in addition to training with the use of Professional Standards, Case Studies, Legal and Contractual Obligations, Building Sciences, Codes and Regulations, and more in the form of credentialed continuing education and customized coaching and consulting, particularly to design professionals, code enforcement officials, project managers, construction executives, facilities managers and others involved in building design, construction and ownership.