Michael A. Horst

Experience

Since joining WJE in 1998, Michael Horst has conducted investigations, condition surveys, analyses, and repair designs for various historic and contemporary structures. His projects have included the evaluation of masonry, concrete, and wood structures; stucco, EIFS, and masonry cladding; and various window and curtain wall systems. Mr. Horst’s investigations have involved the assessment of deterioration, distress, and water leakage through building envelopes. He has also performed evaluations of hundreds of structures related to alleged hurricane, tornado, and fire damage.

Mr. Horst has prepared repair documents for concrete, wood, and masonry structural systems, as well as brick, terra cotta, EIFS, stucco, and stone facade elements. He has used his investigation experience to perform prepurchase assessments and to provide litigation support to clients.

Before joining WJE, Mr. Horst was a Civil Engineering Corps officer in the US Navy. He managed more than $30 million of construction projects, including an $11 million barracks renovation project.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Facade Assessment

• Sterick Building - Memphis, TN: Investigation and stabilization of deteriorated cast stone facade in 1920s-era office building
• 131 Ponce De Leon Apartments - Atlanta, GA: Investigation and repair of balcony waterproofing and flashing defects
• West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital - Sulphur, LA: Evaluation of hurricane damage to window and facade elements at hospital and twenty hospital-related buildings

 

EIFS and Stucco Cladding

• Northeast Georgia Medical Center - Braselton: Investigation of staining and cracking of continuous insulation stucco assembly
• Civic Towers - Miami, FL: Investigation and litigation support relating to alleged construction defects of prefabricated EIFS panels
• The Ritz-Carlton - Naples, FL: Investigation and repair of stucco cladding
• MacDill Air Force Base - Tampa, FL: Evaluation of deteriorated stucco cladding and wood framing deterioration in military housing; design of repairs to stucco and wood framing
• Encore Apartments - Atlanta, GA: Investigation and repair design of stucco cladding and wood framing

 

Structural Evaluation

• Trinity Episcopal Church - Mobile, AL: Structural evaluation, analysis, and repair design of historic wood roof reuses and columns damaged by tornado
• 166 Second Avenue North - Nashville, TN: Investigation of historic masonry walls and wood floor framing damaged from Nashville bombing
• Dungeness Ruins - Cumberland Island, GA: Evaluation, structural design of stabilization, and construction observation for historic mansion

 

Repair and Rehabilitation Design

• Evander Square Apartments - Celebration, FL: Investigation of stucco cladding, repair design, and construction period services for thirty-building apartment complex
• Sears Crosstown - Memphis, TN: Condition assessment of building facade; masonry and concrete repair and replacement window design
• Santa Fe College, Fine Arts Center - Gainesville, FL: Repair design for stucco cladding following successful mediation
• Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site - Plaquemine, LA: Condition assessment and narrative repair recommendations for glazed brick and wood-framed windows at historic lockhouse

 

Litigation Support

• Social 28 Apartments - Gainesville, FL: Investigation of construction defects in stucco cladding and balcony flashings
• The Bartram - Gainesville, FL: Investigation of reported construction defects in wood-framed apartment buildings
• Wild Dunes - SC: Investigation of water leakage and alleged window manufacturing defects
• Springhill Suites - Lumberton, NC: Review of reports and photographs relating to EIFS installation and preparation of expert report

Professional Affiliations

ASTM International
American Society of Civil Engineers

Registrations

Professional Engineer in AL, FL, GA, MI, MS, and TN  

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering, 1993