History of KPAA
KPA Associates, Inc. began in 1985 as Klock Planners Architects, a sole proprietorship of Mr. Eric Klock. The firm designed commercial, educational, healthcare, and government/military facilities as well as hotel/destination resorts, private residences, and multi-family residential projects. In 1989 the firm changed its name to Klock Planning Architecture (KPA). Under the direction of Mr. Klock, KPA produced numerous award-winning designs before turning its focus to forensic architecture. During 1995, the company was reorganized into an S-corporation and the firm was renamed KPA Associates, Inc. (KPAA). Mr. Klock then established a Stock Ownership Program whereby KPAA became an employee-owned company. Upon his retirement in 1997, Mr. Klock transferred his remaining ownership to KPAA’s employees, thereafter known as associates. Since that time, KPAA has become one of the leading forensic architectural firms in Southern California. KPAA’s prominence in the industry is due in no small measure to the extraordinary loyalty and commitment of its associates, several of whom have served the firm for over 20 years.
Prior to the departure of Mr. Klock, the KPAA Board of Directors installed Bayless Cobb as president and principal architect of the firm. Beginning in 1976, Bayless Cobb & Associates, a full service architectural firm, specialized in crafting innovative designs for complex projects located in coastal areas. Mr. Cobb began providing architectural expert witness consultation in 1981 for cases involving claims of construction defects and personal injury. KPAA has flourished under Mr. Cobb’s leadership, while expanding its forensic activities into Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico along with building on its design and construction consulting work in Southern California. In 1998, to better serve the needs of its clients and to meet the demands of an expanding business, the firm relocated to more spacious quarters in the Bankers Hill district just north of downtown San Diego. KPAA provides critical support to law firms defending major developers, building owners, general building contractors and subcontractors among others as named in construction defect litigation.
Currently, KPA Associates, Inc. has six Principal Architects who possess the experience, knowledge, and expertise required to serve as forensic architectural consultants or to be designated as architectural experts. Bruce Bergman, Bayless Cobb, Victor Dominelli, Thomas Jenkins, Bruno Marsella, and Yaron Tov have each provided expert witness testimony on behalf of their respective clients. Depending on the unique issues of a particular case or construction project, KPAA's clients have the benefit of selecting and working with the Principal Architect that is best suited to their needs.