Enforcement Actions - V

Carmel —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $2,500 administrative fine to Kenneth Robert Vais, dba ATELIER, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that on or about October 11, 2015, Vais, in response to a potential client, stated in an email, “Yes, I am very much a practicing architect and designer and I would be delighted to show you the Carmel-by-the-Sea residence.” Vais’ email signature line also included the word "Architect" under his name. On or about November 24, 2015, Vais emailed the client links to online articles on the websites carmelbuilding.com and houzz.com, where he was identified as an "Architect." On or about January 16, 2016, Vais drafted an Agreement and emailed it to the client offering to provide pre-conceptual design services to remodel the client’s existing single-family residence located in Pebble Beach, California. The Agreement included the term "architectural" to describe the scope of services and was printed on Vais’ letterhead, which included the word "Architect" under his name. Vais’ business card also included the word "Architect" under his name. In or around September 2016, Vais’ company website, krvatelier.com, described his company’s services as "architectural" and identified him as an "Architect." In addition, Vais’ company’s services were described as "architectural" on the website houzz.com. Vais was also identified as an "Architect" on the websites carmelbuilding.com and nshoremag.com. The citation became final on May 4, 2017.

Whittier —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Ernesto Valentino, architect license number C-14463, for an alleged violation of BPC 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Valentino certified false or misleading information on his 2013 License Renewal Application. Valentino paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on March 4, 2015.

Santa Monica —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $750 administrative fine to Vlado Todorov Valkov, aka Valkof, Vlado Valkof, and Vladimir Todorov Valkov, and dba Design Initiatives, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect); however, the fine is stayed for a period of one year, during which time, if no further violations are proved, the stay shall become final. The action alleged that on or about December 29, 2015, Valkov’s website, designinitiatives.com, identified his company, Design Initiatives, as an innovative, award-winning architecture practice based in Los Angeles, California and Sofia, Bulgaria, and Valkov’s advertisement on the Internet at allcities.org identified Valkov as an "Architect" in California. The citation became final on January 19, 2018.

San Jose —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $1,500 administrative fine to Hubert Varda, dba Mono Space Design, an unlicensed individual, for violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that Varda prepared a written contract to provide Ms. S. V. (client) with a scope of work that included architectural, structural, electrical, energy calculations, and drawings necessary to obtain permits for construction of a residential project located in San Jose, California.

Varda’s company’s Porch profile states, “Mono Space Designs is an architectural firm in San Jose. They provide services such as guest house design, 3D rendering, architectural engineering and other services” and offers Architecture. Varda’s company’s Yelp profile is categorized under Architects. Varda’s business card includes “Interior & Architectural Design Services.” Varda’s second company “CADD Division” presents a brochure stating, “Our project approach will meet all your Architectural, Space Planning & General Design needs.” Varda’s personal LinkedIn profile includes “Architectural Design” under Skills & Endorsements. Such conduct constitutes violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a). The citation became final on January 7, 2021.

Rancho Mission Viejo —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Kirk Edward Van Cleave, architect license number C-25012, for an alleged violation of BPC section 5600.05(b) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Van Cleave failed to maintain records of completion of the required coursework for two years from the date of license renewal and failed to make those records available to the Board for auditing upon request. The citation became final on September 5, 2018.

Indio —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $2,500 administrative fine to Wendell W. Veith, architect license number C-5297, for violations of Business and Professions Code sections 5582 (Aiding Unlawful Practice) and 5582.1 (Signing Other’s Plans or Instruments; Permitting Misuse of Name), and California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 151 (Aiding and Abetting).

The action alleged that Veith stamped plans, dated May 22, 2019, that were prepared by an unlicensed individual for a remodel and addition of a property in Mammoth Lake, California. Veith did not have a written agreement with the unlicensed individual, a violation of Business and Professions Code sections 5582 and 5582.1 and California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 151. Veith paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on October 14, 2020.

Los Angeles —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $1,500 administrative fine to Rey Viquez III, dba Rey3 Design Collaborative, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that on or about January 7, 2016, the Internet revealed that Viquez’ company at rey3collection.com stated "For Architectural and Interior Design services." His company profile for The Rey3 Design Collaborative (The Rey3 Design) on facebook.com and youtube.com described the company’s services as "Architectural" and on houzz.com described the company’s services as "Architecture" and "architectural." The Rey3 Design Collaborative advertisement on manta.com was categorized under "Architectural Designers" and included "architectural services." Business.beverlyhillschamber.com was categorized under "Architectural Services" and described the company as "architectural," lbcgla.chambermaster.com was categorized under "Architecture" and described the company as providing "Architectural and Interior design services." Rippleffectyacht.com stated "The Rey3 Design Collaborative is an architecture and interior design company." Viquez’ personal profile for on linkedin.com described his experience at "The rey3design collaborative" as "#architectural" and included "Interior Architecture," "Architectural Design," and "Architectural Drawings." Viquez’ other personal profile "Rey III Viquez," on linkedin.com described him as an "Interior and Architectural Designer" and stated "I am an architectural and interior designer working on residential and commercial design projects" under his experience at "The Rey3 Design Collaborative." The citation became final on February 29, 2016.

Stockton —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to David Henry Vizcarra, architect license number C-17693, for an alleged violation of BPC 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Vizcarra certified false or misleading information on his 2015 License Renewal Application. Vizcarra paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on October 25, 2016.

San Diego — The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $2,000 administrative fine to Seth Voiron, an unlicensed individual, dba Design Appruv, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code sections 5536(a) and 5536.1(c). On April 9, 2021, Voiron contracted with a client to provide design services for a project that involved the conversion of steel shipping containers into studio apartments. Voiron received payment exceeding $10,000 for the services provided but did not complete the project. Voiron's offering and preparation of plans for shipping container apartments, which are not exempt from the licensing requirements of the Architects Practice Act, constituted a violation of Business and Professions Code sections 5536(a) and 5536.1(c). The citation became final on June 4, 2023.

West Point —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Kurt Von Puttkammer, architect license number C-21166, for an alleged violation of BPC section 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Von Puttkammer certified false or misleading information regarding the completion of required coursework on his 2019 License Renewal Application. Von Puttkammer paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on October 28, 2019.

Westminster —The Board issued a two-count citation with a $2,000 administrative fine to Catie T. Vuong, an unlicensed person, dba Artwave Design Studio, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a).

Between March 13, 2023, and August 11, 2023, the Board received two complaints alleging possible violations of the Architects Practice Act by Vuong. The first involved a residential project located on Anabel Avenue in Garden Grove, California, where she had been hired to provide construction documents for a new 1,200 square foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with an 80 square foot porch, one car garage and an extension to the main garage for a fixed fee of $16,000. The second involved a residential project located on Salada Road in La Mirada, California, where she had been hired to provide construction documents for a 400 square foot room addition and covered patio for a fixed fee of $4,500. She was paid in full for both projects.

Vuong’s contracts for both projects included the terms “Architect Contract,” “Architectural set,” “…will provide a standard of care equal to, or superior to, care use by Architect’s similar to ARTWAVE on similar project,” and “Architect Signature.” Vuong was contacted by the Board but did not make the requested corrections.

Vuong’s contracts, wherein she described her services as “Architecture” and “Architectural,” are devices that might indicate to the public that she is an architect or qualified to engage in the practice of architecture in California. Such conduct constitutes violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a). The citation became final on December 16, 2023.