Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Trusted Building Envelope Architects in Oakland, CA
Neumann Sloat Arnold Architects is a building envelope architectural firm founded in 2009 by Brian Neumann and Austin Sloat, with Steve Arnold joining as a principal in 2015. Our expertise lies in building envelope consulting for new construction, restoration and repair projects, and construction litigation support. We specialize in identifying root causes of building failures and delivering sustainable, long-term solutions tailored to each project's unique challenges. Our team combines architectural and contracting experience to ensure technical precision while preserving design integrity. We collaborate closely with manufacturers to specify cutting-edge waterproofing technologies and conduct rigorous quality assurance testing, including calibrated storm simulations to prevent leaks. Our principals hold active memberships in leading industry organizations such as the American Institute of Architects, National Institute of Building Sciences, and International Concrete Repair Institute.With licenses in California, Oregon, and Hawaii, we serve diverse projects ranging from historic restorations to modern commercial developments. Our commitment to technical excellence is demonstrated through comprehensive services spanning design reviews, construction administration, forensic investigations, and expert litigation testimony. We prioritize client education and transparent communication throughout every project phase, ensuring alignment with sustainability goals and budgetary constraints. Our track record of resolving complex building envelope issues has established us as trusted advocates for structural integrity in the architectural community.
Services
Building Envelope Consulting
New Construction
Restoration Services
Quality Assurance Testing
Litigation Support
Forensic Investigations
Construction Administration
Window & Door Testing
Mold Remediation
Historic Restoration
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We specialize in building envelope consulting with 16 years of industry experience since 2009
- Our team includes licensed architects with specialized expertise in waterproofing technology
- We conduct calibrated storm testing to prevent building envelope failures
- Our principals maintain active memberships in six leading architectural and construction institutes
- We provide comprehensive litigation support with expert testimony capabilities
Services
Building Envelope Consulting
We develop high-performance building envelopes for complex architectural designs. Our consultants collaborate with architects and contractors to ensure technical feasibility while maintaining design integrity. Services include system recommendations, construction document reviews, and specification writing for walls, roofs, and foundation systems.
Forensic Investigations
Our team identifies root causes of building envelope failures through comprehensive investigations. We conduct destructive testing, review historical documents, and analyze construction defects to create targeted repair solutions for leaks, mold, and structural damage in commercial and historic buildings.
Quality Assurance Testing
We perform calibrated storm simulations and differential pressure tests to detect vulnerabilities before occupancy. Our testing services verify water-tightness of window and door systems, evaluate existing building envelopes, and ensure compliance with ASTM standards for new construction projects.
Litigation Support
We provide technical expertise for construction disputes through forensic analysis and expert testimony. Our services include condition assessments, remediation planning, document reviews, and courtroom support for cases involving building envelope failures and construction quality issues.
Historic Restoration
We specialize in restoring historic building envelopes while maintaining architectural integrity. Our approach combines traditional techniques with modern waterproofing solutions to address deterioration in masonry, windows, and roofing systems of culturally significant structures.
People
Brian Neumann
Founding Principal & President
Brian Neumann, AIA, founded NSA in 2009 with expertise in building envelope systems. He leads technical consulting for complex projects and serves on industry institute boards, bringing 25+ years of architectural experience to client solutions.
Austin Sloat
Founding Principal
Austin Sloat, AIA, co-founded NSA in 2009 and specializes in forensic analysis of building failures. He directs litigation support services and contributes 22 years of experience in envelope diagnostics and remediation planning.
Steve Arnold
Principal
Steve Arnold, AIA, joined NSA in 2015 as principal. He oversees quality assurance testing and new construction projects, applying 18 years of expertise in envelope performance evaluation and technical specification writing.
Amber Antracoli
Senior Project Manager
Amber Antracoli manages complex restoration projects with 15 years of experience in building envelope consulting. She coordinates client communications and ensures technical accuracy in remediation plans for commercial structures.
Mark Dietrich
Project Architect
Mark Dietrich provides architectural expertise for new envelope systems and repair designs. With 10 years at NSA, he specializes in translating technical requirements into constructible solutions for diverse building types.
Questions
What building envelope services do you specialize in?
We specialize in consulting for new construction, forensic investigations, restoration projects, quality assurance testing, and litigation support for building envelope systems.
Which states are you licensed to work in?
We hold architectural licenses in California, Oregon, and Hawaii, serving projects across these states with local code compliance expertise.
How do you test building envelope performance?
We conduct calibrated storm simulations, differential pressure tests, and field mockup evaluations to verify water-tightness and system integrity according to ASTM standards.
Can you assist with construction litigation cases?
Yes, we provide forensic analysis, remediation planning, document reviews, and expert testimony for building envelope failures in legal disputes.
What experience do you have with historic buildings?
Our team has completed multiple historic restoration projects, combining traditional preservation techniques with modern waterproofing solutions for masonry and roofing systems.
