Professional Biography
Kristin R. Andersen is a Senior Managing Architect at YA Group with 30 years of experience. She is ble for managing projects involving building envelope performance, design and condition assessment.
Kristin is proficient in forensic investigations, code and standard research, expert report writing, and providing testimony for residential, commercial, and institutional projects. She applies a disciplined, evidence-based approach to ensure conclusions are reliable and consistent with applicable codes, standards, and professional practice.
Kristin has extensive experience as a project architect and manager on commercial development, military structures and residential projects, addressing both high-end interior finishes and hazardous material separations. She managed an independent practice with hands-on experience as an owner, builder, and developer, including the restoration of a 110-year-old residence.
Kristin shifted her focus to building envelope performance in 2013 and forensic work in 2020, collaborating with colleagues to resolve construction and design defects, HOA and homeowner disputes and incomplete service agreements.
Credentials & Certifications
- Registered Architect (RA)
- PMP | Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
Representative Consulting Assignments
- Multi-story modular wood frame over podium | Oakland, California | Multi-family — Construction Defect Plaintiff expert re: Owner v. Modular fabricator. Conditions assessed included out-of-plane and sequencing impacts to cladding and interior shafts, roof and podium waterproofing, and lack of structural coordination.
- Wood frame | Chico, California | Multifamily Housing, multiple buildings — Construction Defect Defense expert re: Owner v. General Contractor. Conditions assessed included balcony waterproofing, acoustic and fire-resistant design, fire blocking, and waterproofing continuity.
- Concrete | Tacoma, Washington | Hospital — Personal Injury Plaintiff expert re: John Doe v. Hospital. Assessment of private room components with Facility Guidelines Institute guidelines and building code requirements.
- Post tensioned concrete | San Francisco, California | Condominium — Defense expert re: Homeowner v. HOA. Assessment of Homeowner's request for new slab penetrations, disruption to affected Owners and tenants, and Homeowner's incomplete remodeling work of common areas.
- Wood Frame, low rise, multiple buildings | Cupertino, California | Senior Retirement Center including new single family, memory care and renovations to dining facility. — Assessment of Architect, Owner's representative and General Contractor performance including design and construction defects and delays.
- Historic wood frame | San Francisco, California | Multifamily HOA and Homeowner roof deck — Investigation of conditions underlying disagreements between HOA and Homeowner in two separate cases. Included coordination of surveyor, preliminary structural review, recorded agreements and code requirements.
Professional Experience
- Senior Managing Architect | YA Group | 2026 - Current
- Senior Architect | AVELAR | 2020 - 2026
- Project Manager | Architectural Dimensions | 2017 - 2019
- Project Manager | Trinity | ERD | 2016 - 2017
- Building Science Consultant | Morrison Hershfield | 2014 - 2016
Practices & Skillsets
- Condition Assessment
- Construction Administration
- Historic Preservation
- Water Leakage Testing and Analysis
- Sustainability
- ADA Compliance Assessment
- Roofing
- Premises Liability
Publications and Presentations
- "Cladding" presentation to Westcon Construction Consultants (January 2026)
Education
- Bachelor of Architecture (BArch), Architecture, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 1981
Training Courses
Affiliations
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Professional Licenses
- Architect (RA) - California - License #C-39081
- Architect (RA) - Oregon - License #3609
- Architect (RA) - Washington - License #12300