Criterium-Dudka Engineers

An assortment of buildings, including suburban condominiums, high rises, and historic brownstones, stand tall amid a city’s changing skyline. The passage of time takes a toll on their building envelopes, leading to concerning issues like water intrusion and deteriorating structures. Property owners seek a skilled hand to track the elusive sources of water infiltration and identify potential remedies for deterioration of their building envelopes.

Criterium-Dudka Engineers is a full-service consulting engineering firm that specializes in conducting thorough forensic analysis to address water infiltration problems and issues that deteriorate buildings. It caters to a diverse range of clients, including suburban condos and historic high-rises and brownstones in Boston. It is dedicated to delivering effective mitigation solutions while carefully considering the aesthetic and historical importance of the structures.

“Our mission is to deepen client understanding of their properties by proactively identifying potential deterioration factors and embracing cuttingedge advancements in building science,” says Andrew Dudka, president and owner of Criterium-Dudka Engineers.

The team emphasizes meeting client preferences, addressing specific issues, and managing costs while taking full responsibility for project design and oversight. Through in-depth inspections and close collaboration with contractors, it ensures the successful implementation of remediation efforts.

A remarkable demonstration of Criterium-Dudka Engineers’ expertise was evident in its successful resolution of a modern brownstone’s critical water intrusion challenge on Boston’s north shore. Collaborating with the City of Boston, it implemented effective solutions like installing caps on chimneys and parapet walls that strictly adhered to the city’s color guidelines.

Its solution effectively addressed the water intrusion issue while maintaining the building’s aesthetic integrity.

Recently, it undertook a project involving a Cape-style condominium complex with 500 units plagued by multiple leaks. After careful analysis, the engineers recommended a comprehensive siding replacement for all the units. Criterium- Dudka Engineers is distinguished in these endeavors through its commitment to crafting innovative solutions and actively collaborating with the board on material selection. Its expertise lies in harnessing cutting-edge building science, effectively managing the bidding process, handpicking suitable contractors, and providing comprehensive project oversight.

Apart from building envelope replacements, Criterium-Dudka Engineers offers many services like reserve studies for condominium complexes of various sizes, ranging from high-rises in Boston to smaller complexes along the coast or in inland areas. It also specializes in transition studies, which involve evaluating whether a developer has followed construction plans, codes, and permit requirements before a condominium complex or commercial building is handed over to the broker or board. This helps identify any discrepancies and estimates the cost of bringing the construction up to intended standards, allowing the owner or board to negotiate with the developer before taking over the property.

For banks and potential commercial building buyers, it provides comprehensive commercial property condition assessments covering all building systems, including the envelope, roof, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, sprinkler systems, and grounds. The goal is to identify deficiencies or potential expenses that may arise within the next decade.

Criterium-Dudka Engineers also supports homeowners seeking assistance with their houses, especially regarding the removal of load-bearing walls. It calculates loads, sizes necessary beams and columns, and provides safe design solutions, allowing contractors to open up walls as desired.

With offices in Rutland, Vermont, and Hopkinton, Massachusetts, it offers services with unwavering assurance, employing licensed professionals well-versed in the states where they operate in like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.

Through innovative building science solutions and sustainable practices, Criterium-Dudka Engineers ensures the property remains at the forefront of modern building advancements, reducing environmental impact while optimizing performance.