If you're wondering what makes ACE Building Envelope Design different from other envelope consultants — it starts with how this firm was built. ACE didn't begin as a design firm that added testing later, or a testing lab that began offering consulting. ACE was founded from the start on the principle that forensic investigation experience is the foundation of superior building envelope design. CEO Conor Meyers, President John Harris, Director Jedidiah Brandman, and Kevin Moultrie recognized that the most reliable way to design buildings that perform is to deeply understand how buildings fail.
That forensic-first philosophy shaped everything about ACE — from the types of professionals we hire to the way we structure our service lines. When our design team specifies a waterproofing detail, they do so with knowledge of how that detail has performed — and failed — in real buildings. When our construction administration team observes an installation, they know exactly which conditions lead to failures down the road.
Headquartered in Concord, California, ACE expanded to a second office in Nampa, Idaho to serve the growing demand for specialized envelope consulting across the Western United States. Today, ACE serves seven states — California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington — with the same forensic-informed approach that defined the firm from its founding.
The Guardian Archetype: Protecting What You've Built
ACE operates under the Guardian brand archetype — and this isn't just marketing language. It's the operating philosophy that shapes how we engage with every client and every project. A guardian protects proactively, acts on evidence rather than assumption, and prioritizes long-term performance over short-term convenience. This means ACE will recommend the right solution even when it's not the cheapest option, document conditions that others might overlook, and design details based on proven performance rather than untested innovation.
Our brand promise — Better Buildings Start Here — reflects the belief that building envelope performance begins with the decisions made during design and carries through construction, testing, and ongoing stewardship. Every design specification, every diagnostic test, and every forensic investigation is guided by this commitment. For developers and owners, this means an envelope consultant who treats your building as if it were their own asset to protect.
Earning FGIA/AAMA Accreditation
A defining milestone in ACE's story was achieving FGIA/AAMA accreditation — an independent verification by the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance that ACE's testing procedures, equipment calibration, personnel qualifications, and quality management systems meet the industry's highest standards. This accreditation transformed ACE from a consulting firm that performed testing into an accredited testing agency whose results carry independent authority.
For clients, this distinction matters in practical ways. When ACE performs ASTM E1105 water testing or AAMA fenestration testing, the results are accepted by manufacturers for warranty validation, by owners for acceptance documentation, and by courts for construction defect litigation. This level of credibility can only come from accreditation — not from self-declaration or professional affiliations.
What You're Facing
You need to understand who ACE is and whether our approach aligns with your project's needs — credentials, philosophy, and track record.
How We Address It
ACE was built on forensic investigation roots, earned FGIA/AAMA accreditation, and operates under a Guardian philosophy that prioritizes your building's long-term protection.
What You Get
A firm whose design recommendations are informed by failure patterns, whose test results are independently accredited, and whose team treats your building as their responsibility to protect.
Ready to Work With a Guardian?
Tell us about your project and discover how ACE's forensic-informed, accredited approach protects your building investment.
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Expanding Across the Western United States
ACE's expansion from a single California office to a two-office operation serving seven Western states was driven by client demand. Projects in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Washington required localized expertise and rapid deployment capability that couldn't be efficiently served from California alone. The Nampa, Idaho office now serves as ACE's Intermountain and Pacific Northwest hub, staffed with professionals who understand the freeze-thaw cycling, snow load, and moisture management challenges specific to those regions.
This geographic expansion didn't change ACE's operating model — it extended it. Both offices operate under the same FGIA/AAMA accreditation, the same quality management systems, and the same forensic-informed design philosophy. A project in Seattle receives the same standard of expertise as a project in San Francisco. The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes that regional climate expertise is essential for effective building envelope consulting — and ACE's two-office structure provides that regional depth across our entire territory.
Looking Forward: The Future of Building Envelope Protection
The building envelope industry is evolving — energy codes are becoming more stringent, construction methods are changing, and climate conditions are creating new challenges for building performance. ACE's forensic-informed approach positions us to lead in this evolving landscape because our design recommendations are continuously updated by what we learn in the field. Every investigation, every test, and every condition assessment adds to our understanding of how buildings actually perform.
ACE continues to invest in our team, our testing capabilities, and our knowledge base. We're expanding our thermal performance analysis capabilities to address increasingly stringent code requirements. We're growing our expertise in emerging construction methods. And we're deepening our drone thermography and electronic leak detection capabilities to provide faster, more accurate diagnostics. If you're a building professional who shares our commitment to quality, explore opportunities with our growing team.
More About ACE
Frequently Asked Questions
ACE was founded on the principle that forensic investigation experience makes for better design — understanding how buildings fail is the most reliable path to designing buildings that perform.
To ensure test results carry independent authority — reproducible, defensible, and accepted by manufacturers, owners, and courts.
Better Buildings Start Here. Every engagement is guided by this commitment to improving building envelope performance across our seven-state territory.
Concord, California with a second office in Nampa, Idaho.
The Guardian — proactive, vigilant, and committed to protecting buildings and the investments they represent.