Enforcement Actions - April 2021 through September 2021
The California Architects Board (Board) is responsible for receiving and investigating complaints against licensees and unlicensed persons. The Board also retains the authority to make final decisions on all enforcement actions taken against its licensees.
Included below are links to recent enforcement actions taken by the Board against individuals who were found to be in violation of the Architects Practice Act (Act).
Every effort is made to ensure the following information is correct. Before making any decision based upon this information, you should contact the Board. Further information on specific violations may also be obtained by contacting the Board’s Enforcement Unit at (916) 574-7220.
Citations
Gregory Allen Ravatt (Atascadero) - The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $1,000 administrative fine to Gregory Allen Ravatt, architect license number C-20808, for alleged violations of BPC section 5584 (Negligence) and CCR, title 16, section 160(a)(2) (Competence). The action alleged that Ravatt was hired to create plans for an addition to his client’s single-family residence.
After construction was completed, the client discovered that water was intruding into the downstairs addition.
Ravatt did not adequately ensure that the architectural plans had met the waterproofing requirements. An architect in good standing, practicing in California under similar circumstances, for a design on a hillside lot with new below-grade floor area being added, would have at a minimum noted or specified waterproofing requirements on his own drawings, without relying on a consultant to do so.
Ravatt’s failure to specify waterproofing requirements on his drawings constituted negligence in the practice of architecture and a violation of Business and Professions Code section 5584, and failure to act with reasonable care and competence as defined in title 16, California Code of Regulations section 160(a)(2).
Ravatt paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The Citation became final on May 19, 2021.
Guy Edward Turner (Los Angeles) - The Board issued a four-count citation that included a $12,000 administrative fine to Guy Edward Turner, dba GT Architecture and Guy Turner Design, an unlicensed person, for alleged violations of BPC section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect) and CCR, title 16, section 134(a) (Use of Term Architect Without Architect in Management Control). The action alleged that on or about September 7, 2017, Turner was hired by Client V.R. to create designs for two single-family dwellings located in Los Angeles, California. Turner provided the client with contracts and invoices for “Architectural Fees,” “architectural design services,” and “Architectural Details.” Turner’s signature stated, “Guy Turner Principal” for “GT Architecture.”
On or about October 26, 2015, Turner was hired by Client J.B. to provide plans for a garage and ADU for a residence in Los Angeles, California. Turner provided the client with a contract and proposal stating, “GT Architecture” and “Proposal for Architectural Services.” Turner provided the client with the site plan he designed, the title block of which contained the business name “GT Architecture.”
On or about July 13, 2020, Turner was contacted by an investigator from the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation who was conducting an undercover investigation into Turner for violations of the Architects Practice Act. Turner provided the investigator with a business card identifying his company as “GT Architecture,” an email using the signature “Guy Turner, Principal, GT Architecture,” and a proposal for “Architectural Services.”
Turner used the business name "GT Architecture" without a California licensed architect who was in management control of the services that were offered and provided by the business entity and either the owner, a part-owner, an officer, or an employee of the business entity. Turner’s websites for GT Architecture and Guy Turner Design included pictures and plans from previous design projects, some of which appeared to be non-exempt dwellings. Turner’s business websites, and Houzz, LinkedIn, Manta, and Facebook profiles offered “architectural services,” “Architectural Design,” “Architectural Drawings,” and referred to Turner as an “Architectural Designer.” The Citation became final on April 10, 2021.
Archibald C. Woo (San Francisco) – The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Archibald C. Woo, architect license number C-25649, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536.22(a)(3) (Written Contract) and section 5558 (Mailing Address and Name and Address of Entity Through Which License Holder Provides Architectural Services; Filing Requirements). The action alleged that Woo was hired to provide architectural services for a renovation of an existing space located on Grant Avenue in San Francisco, California for a total fee of $8,000. The contract failed to include Woo’s name, address, and license number. Woo’s failure to include his name, address, and license number in the written contract for the above-referenced project constitutes a violation of Business and Professions Code section 5536.22(a)(3). Woo paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on September 11, 2021.