Allana Buick & Bers (ABB) applies years of insight gained through forensic building envelope analysis to assist project teams achieve high performance, low maintenance building enclosures that integrate seamlessly into the project architecture.
Our approach starts with documenting the building performance goals. ABB works with the project design team to identify building envelope assemblies with historically proven performance properties that are appropriate for the project design objectives.
Once the building envelope systems have been established, we work closely with the architectural and engineering teams to develop sound construction detailing between building envelope systems. Using project team integration applications, we maintain integration with the design teams overall progress.
Our areas of building envelope expertise include:
- Roofing Systems
- Exterior Wall Systems
- Windows and Glazing Systems
- Waterproofing Systems
Expertise
Over the past 35 years, ABBCM and ABB has successfully completed 200+ high-rise projects including new construction, forensic investigation, and repair projects.
Our expert staff have 1st-hand knowledge of high-rise building performance issues, the types of typical problems to avoid, and how to apply best design practices. Over the years, we have developed a unique understanding of how to use building assemblies and systems to their best advantage, and what materials and systems to use and what to avoid.
Additionally, our staff have been expert speakers at several industry events where we specifically focused on construction defects in high-rise buildings and design best practices.
Common high-rise building issues we have dealt with include:
- Curtain wall and glazing defects
- Occupied roof deck and podium courtyard issues
- Below-grade and horizontal waterproofing issues
- HVAC and plumbing issues
- Fire-resistive construction defects
- Elevated decks and balconies
- Roofing issues
- Exterior wall systems
- Material defects including toxic drywall, PEX fittings, etc.
- Structural engineering issues
ABB brings more than 35 years of roofing, engineering, and design expertise to its projects. Our services reduce the risk of future water infiltration by focusing on the roofing components with historically high failure rates. Our staff includes several Registered Roofing Consultants (RRC®) who are familiar with the design and specification of roofing products.
ABB is recognized as one of the top roofing consultants specializing in preparing remedial roofing construction documents. Our design team works closely with our clients to help select the best suited materials and systems to meet the projects requirements.
We provide consulting for all types of roofing systems including, but not limited to:
- Built Up Roofing (BUR)
- Modified Bitumen
- Single Ply
- Sprayed Polyurethane Foam
- Sheet Metal
- Clay and Concrete Tile
- Composition Shingles
- Shakes
- Garden Roofs
- Cool Roofs
- Solar Roofs
- Roof Insulation
A successful garden roof begins with an effective and dependable waterproofing system. While waterproofing can be one of the less expensive elements in a garden roof system, it also can be one of the most expensive to correct if it fails.
We are familiar with all major waterproofing systems including: fluid applied membranes, self-adhering sheet membranes, bituminous and thermoplastic sheet membranes, and composite rubberized asphalt membranes.
Garden roofs offer the following benefits:
- Reduce Heat Island Effect – Plants use light energy to perform photosynthesis and plant respiration cools near the roof surface.
- Improve Insulation Efficiency – Evaporation of moisture in the soil cools the roof surface and voids in the soil provide additional insulation.
- Slows and Filters Storm Runoff – Rainwater percolates through vegetation and soil and is slowly released at drains. The roots and soil system absorb and retain storm water on roofs, and the soil and root layers filter deposited airborne particulates.
- Increase Roof Life Expectancy – Soil and planting layers protect the roof from physical damage and mitigate rapid temperature swings that stress waterproofing membranes.
- Living Roofs Look Great – Provide unlimited design opportunities.
Waterproofing is a critical component in building envelope performance and one of the most common causes of litigation. Failed waterproofing can impact building aesthetic, energy efficiency, water intrusion, and can even compromise the structural integrity of a building.
ABB provides expert vertical, horizontal, and below-grade waterproofing solutions for new construction, reconstruction, and forensic investigation projects. Our staff includes several Registered Waterproofing Consultants (RWC®) that are familiar with all common commercial waterproofing product types.
We believe that appropriate building system selection, proper detailing, and integration into waterproofing systems can make the difference between a long lasting building versus a low-performing one.
ABB specializes in the assessment, design, and construction phase services for superstructure waterproofing systems and below-grade waterproofing.
Our below-grade waterproofing experience includes new and remedial design and construction administration services. We are familiar with all major waterproofing systems including, fluid applied membranes, self-adhering sheet membranes, bituminous and thermoplastic sheet membranes, and composite rubberized asphalt membranes.
With a unique breath of experience, ABB offers consulting on below-grade waterproofing for both deep and shallow foundations, both in and above local water tables.
ABB’s foundation waterproofing experience includes both property line and mass excavation types of foundations. We are familiar with the appropriate use and application of all major types of below-grade waterproofing systems including: spray applied, peel and stick sheet applied, sheet membrane, bentonite, and composite membranes.
ABB has experience working with all building types including wood-frame and steel-frame. Our staff includes Registered Exterior Wall Consultants (REWC®) that are familiar with all common exterior wall types and systems. Our expertise includes, but is not limited to, working with the following exterior wall and waterproofing systems:
- Cement Plaster, drainage plane plaster with drain mat
- Fiber cement board siding
- Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC)
- Metal panels, Insulated metal panels
- Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)
- Wood, masonry, veneer tile, dimension stone
- Continuous insulation
- Rain screen stucco with air barrier
- Perfect barrier wall systems
- Concealed barrier wall systems
- Drainage plane wall systems
- Rain screen wall systems
- Pressure equalized rain screen wall systems
Stucco / EIFS / Cement Plaster
We are a recognized industry leader in the design and construction of stucco and EIFS building cladding systems. We are active participants in industry education initiatives including; AIA Continuing Education instruction, presented technical papers and providing expert speaker presentations at industry sponsored events.
ABB places a special emphasis on design and integration of waterproofing and drainage elements located behind stucco and EIFS cladding. Thoughtful integration of the backing waterproofing, drainage, and sheet metal components into the system can mean the difference between cladding systems failing after only a few years or performing for decades.
Metal Wall Systems
We are experts in all major siding systems including, metal shingles, metal panel, corrugated metal panels; as well as exotic wall panel systems such as, plastic metal composite panels and specialty metals (zinc, copper, stainless steel, Core-Ten and titanium).
We place special emphasis on design and integration of waterproofing and drainage elements located behind metal panel wall systems as well as sheet metal flashing selection, detailing, and integration of window and door systems.
Many architects incorporate podium deck construction into their design. The space below the podium may be utilized for parking, retail, plaza area, planters, or other uses. Despite the intended use of the space it is critical that the correct waterproofing system is selected. Issues such as deck movement, drainage, expansion joints, drainage, and landscaping must be considered when selecting systems and designing waterproofing.
ABB’s experience includes all types of waterproofing systems including, but not limited to, below-grade slab and walls, sealants, traffic bearing membrane, lanais, planters, and plaza decks.
Horizontal waterproofing expertise includes:
- Plaza decks
- Concrete podiums
- Balconies
- Planters
- Lanai
- Decks over living space
- Intensive and extensive garden roofs
- Hot fluid-applied waterproofing membranes
- Self-adhering sheet waterproofing
- Cold fluid-applied waterproofing membranes
ABB has extensive assessment and design experience in all major types of window and door assemblies including:
- Storefronts Systems
- Window Wall Systems
- Vinyl & Aluminum Windows
- Fiberglass Windows
- Euro-Line Doors
- Sliding Glass Doors
- Hollow Metal Doors
We provide expertise in glazing selection including, specialized insulated, low E, warm edge, fire resistant and laminated assemblies. ABB has special insight into window and door integration for all major wall cladding systems. We believe that special attention to the detailing and integration of back-up waterproofing, drainage paths, and sheet metal flashings are crucial to the successful long term performance of window and wall systems.
ABB specializes in the assessment, design, and construction phase services for curtain wall systems, storefront systems, window walls, and their glazing sub-systems. We have extensive assessment and design experience in aluminum storefront and curtain wall assemblies for both low and high-rise structures. Our expertise includes consideration of seismic issues, inelastic drift, slope of glazing, energy performance, thermal loading, and live loads for both stick assembly and unitized systems.
We offer a range of expertise in storefront and curtain wall assessment and design services. These services include:
- Structural Assessment
- Mock-Up Review and Assessment
- On-Site Testing per ASTM and AAMA Protocol
As with other building envelope assemblies, we place an emphasis on the understanding and proper detailing of components (sealants, flashings, exterior claddings, waterproofing, and cladding systems) to be integrated into the storefront and curtain wall assemblies.
Our staff of professional engineers, architects, building technologists, and registered waterproofing consultants have extensive assessment and design experience in all major types of skylight assemblies including, structural, drop in, ventilated, and smoke release types.
ABB also provides expertise in glazing selection for skylight systems including, specialized insulated, low E, warm edge, fire resistant, and laminated assemblies.
We offer system selection, structural engineering, waterproofing, and roof design integration services for new and remedial construction. We also offer diagnostic services for these assemblies including mock-up reviews and on-site performance testing per ASTM and AAMA protocol.