Senior Living Facility in Texas, USA

Project Details

Our client, a recently retired architect, had entered into a joint venture with an Arizona-based architectural firm to design a senior assisted living facility in Brady, Texas. As a professional courtesy, and to help move permitting along for a loyal client, he agreed to serve as the Architect of Record, signing and sealing the drawings required for city approvals.

However, the project was ultimately built on highly expansive clays—soils prone to shifting with moisture changes. Variations in the subgrade led to significant structural damage, affecting everything from the building’s interior and exterior walls to paving and flooring. The property owner later retained a different architect, who issued a Certificate of Merit alleging a breach of the professional Standard of Care. With that, a formal damages claim was initiated against our client.

On January 5, 2024, SOCOTEC's Robert Burnham conducted a detailed site inspection. His comprehensive Report of Findings was issued on June 10, 2024. Shortly after, the Arizona design firm also engaged SOCOTEC to support their side of the dispute.

Thanks to our thorough forensic analysis and expert reporting, both of our clients were released from litigation within just three weeks of the report’s distribution. The summary judgment marked the resolution of a multi-million-dollar claim—swiftly and favorably.

This case highlights SOCOTEC’s ability to navigate complex design and construction disputes with precision, helping architects, engineers, and project stakeholders defend their work and reputations.

Another win for our client. Another architect back to enjoying retirement.