Enforcement Actions - D

Cupertino —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $1,000 administrative fine to Glush Dada, an unlicensed individual, for an alleged violation of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that while Dada was unlicensed, she maintained Houzz, Facebook, Pinterest, BuildZoom, and Yelp profiles, wherein she used the business name "Glush Design Architects," described herself as providing "Architectural Design," "Architectural Drawings," and "Architectural Services," and categorized herself under "Architects" and "Architects and Building Designers." Dada’s business website contained testimonials referring to her as an "architect" and mentioned her "architectural skills." The citation became final on November 25, 2019.

Napa —The Board issued a two-count citation with a $4,000 administrative fine to Christina R. Daniels, an unlicensed person, dba Lone Wolf Designs LLC, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code sections 5536(a) and 5536.1(c).

Daniels was hired in December 2022 to prepare plans for a home built with concrete forms in Napa County. She was paid $18,000 after she told her client that she was an architect and stated that the plans would have her “stamp” on them.

Because it involved concrete forms, and not conventional woodframe construction, the project was not exempt from licensing requirements. Daniels’ conduct constituted the practice of architecture as defined in Business and Professions Code section 5500.1 and was therefore a violation of Business and Professions Code section 5536.1(c).

Daniels advertised herself an architect and architectural designer, using false license numbers. Her company website described her business as a “full service architectural design” firm and offered “architectural design” and “Concrete Builds” under the Services page.

Daniels’ Instagram profile stated she provides “Architectural Design” and displayed posts of plans with “LIC#11038466” in the title block. She also used signage stating “LW Design Architectural Design Lic.# 11038468.”

Daniels’ company LinkedIn profile contained the tagline “Providing Architectural Design.” Her personal LinkedIn profile also described herself as providing “Architectural…design.” Daniels’ claimed company Yelp profile was categorized under “Architects.” Her company Facebook profile offered “Architectural Design Services for Napa County and the Surrounding Bay Area.” Daniels’ Alignable profile offered “full architectural design” and was categorized under “Architectural Designer.” Her Local Yahoo profile was categorized as “Architecture.”

Daniels’ contract, company signage, website, and profiles, wherein she described her services using the terms “Architect,” “Architectural” and “Architectural,” are devices that might indicate to the public that Daniels 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). Daniels paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on October 31, 2024.

Napa —The Board issued a two-count citation with a $4,000 administrative fine to Christina R. Daniels, an unlicensed person, dba Lone Wolf Designs LLC, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) and 5536.1(c).

On or about May 23, 2022, Daniels was hired to prepare plans for D.C. (client) and to submit them to the Napa County Building Department for approval. Daniels informed her client that she was an architect and offered to perform design services for a concrete home. Because it involved concrete forms, the project was not exempt from licensing requirements pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 5537. Daniels was paid $18,000 for her design services and stated that the plans would have her “stamp” on them.

On her company website describes her business as a “full service architectural design” firm and in several online profiles, Daniels called herself an architect and architectural designer, advertised as an architect using false license numbers, and advertised the design of non-exempt homes.

Sanger —The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $2,000 administrative fine to Mike De Alba, Jr., architect license number C-33144, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 5584 (Willful Misconduct), as defined in California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 16, sections 150 (Willful Misconduct) and 160(b)(2) (Willful Misconduct; Failure to Respond to Board Investigation). The action alleged that on or about September 16, 2014, De Alba, Jr. agreed to prepare drawings and/or calculations for a project located in Turlock, California. The contract provided that Construction Documents will be completed in 60 days of Owner signing contract and initial payment. The contract also stated, Owner will sign and date of approval of schematic design and design development drawings prior to commencement of construction documents. The initial payment for the contract was sent to De Alba, Jr. the day after the execution of the contract, September 17, 2014, so the plans should have been completed by November 17, 2014. De Alba, Jr. did not submit the plans to the city of Turlock until in or around April 2015, nor did he provide any designs to the client for approval prior to proceeding to the construction documents stage. The client was not made aware of any delays until he received a copy of an email the city of Turlock sent in their response to De Alba, Jr.’s fifth attempt at submitting the plans, in or around February 2016. De Alba, Jr. thus violated a provision of the agreement with the client and made no reasonable effort to inform the client of the conduct or omission. De Alba, Jr. also failed to respond to the Board’s requests for information regarding an investigation within 30 days. De Alba, Jr. paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on August 6, 2019.

Burlingame —The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $2,000 administrative fine to Jerry Deal, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect) and 5536.1(c) (Unauthorized Practice). The action alleged that Deal contracted to provide design services for a second story addition to an existing commercial building project located in Burlingame, California. Deal subsequently prepared plans for the project. The project does not satisfy the criteria for an exempt project type as defined in BPC 5537(a) or 5538 and required a licensed design professional for preparation of plans, drawings, or specifications. Deal paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on April 22, 2015.

San Francisco —The Board issued a one-count modified citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Spencer C. Decker, architect license number C-25211, for an alleged violation of Business and Professions Code section 5600.05(b) (License Renewal Process; Failure to Maintain Records of Completion of Required Coursework). The action alleged that Decker failed to maintain records of his continuing education coursework for two years from the date of license renewal and failed to make those records available to the Board for auditing upon request. Decker paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on July 20, 2020.

Orangevale —The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $1,500 administrative fine to Brent Deming, dba T.L. Deming Design, an unlicensed individual, for violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect) and California Code of Regulations section 134(a) (Use of the Term Architect; Responsible Control within Business Entity). The action alleged that Deming prepared a written contract to provide Mr. Y. H. (client) architectural drawings for a restaurant tenant improvement project located on Zinfandel Drive in Rancho Cordova, California. The contract included “Section 5536.22 of the California Business and Professions Code Require written Contract for the Provision of Architectural Services” and “Timothy Deming-Architect – C17784 Civil Engineer – C31608.”

Deming’s company LinkedIn profile under the business name “Brent Tldemingdesign” stated, “We are speacializing [sic] in 3d Arcitectural [sic] design for residential and commercial from start to finish of the prodject [sic].” Deming’s company’s Alignable profile under the business name “Deming Design Inc” states, “T. L. Deming Design, Inc., a multi-purpose home design company with in-house engineering, provides "traditional" architectural and interior design services for both residential and commercial clientele.” Deming’s Manta profile under the business name “T L Deming Architectural Design”, includes “Architectural” in the company name. There was no licensed architect who was in management control of the professional services that were offered and provided by the business entity. Such conduct constitutes violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) and California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 134(a). The citation became final on January 7, 2021.

Cold Spring, NY —The Board issued a one-count modified citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Lloyd L. Desbrisay, architect license number C-26487 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 Desbrisay certified false or misleading information on his 2019 License Renewal Application. Desbrisay paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on December 31, 2020.