Fuller’s architects provide a full range of building enclosure design, consulting, and investigation services for building types in both the public and private sectors, including:

High-rise
Mid-rise
Single-family Residential
Mixed-use
Commercial
Historical
Institutional
Religious

Our firm’s rich history and excellent reputation is exemplified by the collective expertise of our staff, assessing building envelopes and developing innovative solutions in coastal regions. We provide forensic analysis, construction litigation support, property condition assessments, peer review, repair designs, and roof consulting services for a wide variety of new and repeat clients. At all stages of the building life cycle, our design professionals take a holistic approach to consulting and the investigation of water and air intrusion, condensation, material performance and compatibility, systemic damage, and related building components, including but not limited to:

Foundations
Sub-grade waterproofing
Concrete
Plazas
Deck waterproofing
Exterior walls
Roofing systems
Doors and windows

Through our commitment to understanding and advancing building science and performance, Fuller recognizes the cause and effect of building envelope failures. As a result, we resolve challenging design problems and rehabilitate buildings while focusing on the proper integration of building system components related to enclosures. Our staff has expertise in working with a wide variety of cladding materials, including stucco, EIFS, fiber-cement, masonry, concrete, wood, metal, and composite materials.

Multifamily Residential High Rise

North Myrtle Beach, SC

Atlantic Oceanfront
14-story high rise (5-story parking deck with 9-story residential tower)
97 condominium units
Cast-in-place concrete structure with unit masonry infill
6th floor swimming pool and lazy river
Multiple-phase repair project

Fuller Group was retained to provide a scope of work for repairs to the building envelope. Since original construction in 2005, the building experienced multiple areas of water intrusion at the parking garage, roof, and 6th floor pool area. Additionally, each concrete balcony exhibited significant rust staining from the guardrail post penetrations. Fuller’s design professionals also identified means-of-egress areas that did not comply with ADA and FHA requirements. As requested from the Homeowner’s Association, a long-standing client, we prepared a scope of work that would occur in three phases over the span of several years. Fuller provided architectural and structural design, as well as construction administration services at each phase. Phase I and Phase II repairs were completed in 2013 and 2014 and included:

Balcony waterproofing and guardrail post penetration repairs
Exterior elastomeric coating application
Installation of storefront windows
Flashing and sealant repairs
Exterior EIFS and elevator tower repairs
New lobby entry design and safety railing repairs at parking garage
Various concrete, plumbing, and mechanical repairs

Phase III work is planned for the 2016-2017 timeframe and will include additional elastomeric coating application and pool enclosure repairs.

Lowcountry Residence Investigation

Bluffton, SC

2-story single-family residence with elevated decks
Outdoor pool with 2-story screened enclosure
Conventional wood frame construction over concrete slab-on-grade
Hard-coat stucco exterior cladding with aluminum-clad windows

Fuller Group was retained by the homeowners to perform an investigation of the existing conditions at the exterior envelope and interior spaces of their residence. Our architecture professionals performed visual surveys and destructive test cuts in the exterior stucco cladding. During the investigation, we identified multiple sources of water intrusion through the building envelope and observed deficiencies throughout the residence due to improper construction. Observed deficiencies included, but were not limited to:

Improper cladding installation
Improper weather-resistive barrier and flashing installation
Improper roof underlayment and shingle installation
Improper installation of waterproofing membranes and deck slope
Improper installation of interior travertine tile

The water intrusion has resulted in significant damage to wood structural framing and sheathing at multiple locations, including but not limited to: exterior arches, parapet walls, base of walls, window openings, and elevated decks. At the conclusion of Fuller’s investigation, we produced a comprehensive report summarizing of our findings and repair recommendations. This information was then used to obtain a repair cost estimate from a local, licensed general contractor. As a result of the extensive damage and deficiencies identified at the residence, the homeowners decided to pursue a construction litigation claim against the parties involved with the original construction of the home, with Fuller providing litigation support.