Expertise

Services
Markets
Clients from markets and industries across the built world rely on our interdisciplinary team of engineers, architects, and materials scientists to develop an all-around understanding of their needs, provide expert consultation on available options, and develop solutions that deliver lasting value.
Laboratories
Our extensive in-house laboratory and testing capabilities are second to none. With laboratories in our Austin and Cleveland offices as well as a 70,000-square-foot state-of-the-art testing and applied research facility at our Northbrook, Illinois, headquarters, we have the advanced testing and forensic capabilities to solve virtually any problem related to structures, construction materials, or manufactured components.

People

We strive to make a positive difference in the world by consistently setting the standard in every key aspect of our business, starting with the extraordinary people we employ. Connect directly with an expert on our team.

Sustainable Solutions
WJE is committed to sustainability in construction, applying a long-term lens to materials selection, performance testing, systems integration, repair design, and conservation.

Projects
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    WJE PROJECTS
    Our team has investigated, tested, and innovated on more than 175,000 projects involving almost every type of construction material, structural system, and manufactured component. We take a hands-on, empirical, and investigative approach to every assignment. Although materials, technologies, and structures change, our basic philosophy doesn’t. Founder Jack Janney’s advice to “ask the structure” continues to guide our project work today.
Knowledge
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    We’re passionate about our work and believe it is our responsibility to share our experiences and lessons learned for the enrichment of our clients and the advancement of our industry. We hope you learn something new that helps you better understand and address a challenge you face in your own work.
  - Webinars
    We regularly host webinars on interesting topics and challenges related to the built world. We encourage you to search through our library for subjects of interest to you. Watch, listen, and share with others.
  - Videos
    Experience our capabilities, project work, laboratories, and company culture as told by our staff and clients in this selection of videos.
  - Presentations
    Our professionals are leaders in key industry organizations and technical committees and regularly contribute to the ongoing dialogue of the built world at conferences and other educational forums. Check back soon to see where our experts will be speaking next.
  - Websites
    Learn the “what” and “why” and “when” of facade and seismic ordinances in various cities throughout the United States, as well as our recent efforts with sustainable (low carbon) concrete.
    
    SustainableConcrete.com
    
    FacadeOrdinance.com
    
    SeismicOrdinances.com
Careers
- - Careers at WJE
    A career at WJE means working alongside industry gurus to solve the most significant, interesting, and challenging problems of the built world. Whether you'd bring years of experience to our team or you're just out of school, a career at WJE may be the right choice for you.
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Offices
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    With hundreds of professionals in North America and Europe, WJE can respond quickly to assignments around the world. No matter where you are, we can help.
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    EUROPE
    
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EXPERTISE // PEOPLE

Jesse Torres

Associate Principal

Experience

Jesse Torres is a building envelope consultant with a specialization in roofing and waterproofing consulting. Since joining WJE in 2007, he has provided professional services, primarily in the investigation and rehabilitation of building envelope systems. Before joining WJE, Mr. Torres worked for a multidisciplined engineering firm in Exton, PA and with a roof consulting firm in West Lawn, PA. Mr. Torres has more than thirty years of experience and has provided building envelope consulting services to architects, contractors, and owners for new construction projects, as well as design and construction period services for several repair and rehabilitation projects. He possesses expertise with all major low- and steep-slope roofing systems, including built-up roofing, single-ply membrane, modified bitumen, liquid-applied, polyurethane foam, sheet metal, asphalt shingle, and slate shingle.

In addition to investigations and rehabilitation, Mr. Torres has developed database programs, designed and written program manuals, and co-developed and managed the roofing databases for telecommunications and pharmaceutical companies.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

New Construction Consulting

World Trade Center Memorial and Museum - New York, NY: Waterproofing design for plaza, pools, and slurry wall waterproofing
Hudson Yards - New York, NY: Roof and waterproofing design and consulting for various buildings
Columbia University Manhattanville - New York, NY: Design for plaza waterproofing and multiple roofs
Luma Hotel - New York, NY - Shower waterproofing design and integrity testing
High-End Residential Homes - CA, CT, MA, NC, NJ, and NY: Building envelope consulting

Repair and Rehabilitation Design

1251 Avenue of the Americas - New York, NY: Paver and roof design for main roof
Breuer Building (formerly Whitney Museum) - New York, NY: Roof replacement construction documents
Terrence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center: New York, NY: Roof replacement construction documents for low-slope and steep-slope clay tile roofs
450 Lexington Avenue - New York, NY: Roof replacement construction documents
2 Park Avenue - New York, NY: Roof replacement construction documents
Northwell Health, Phelps Hospital - Sleepy Hollow, NY - Masonry repairs and roof replacement design

Failure Investigation

John F. Kennedy International Airport - New York, NY: Investigation of cause and extent of wind loss damage to roof
Federal Reserve Bank - New York, NY: Investigation of paver pedestal system failure
50 United Nations Plaza - New York, NY: Investigation of shower failures
360 East 89th St, New York, NY: Investigation of shower failures

Nondestructive Evaluation

44 and 60 Newmans Court - Hempstead, NY: Infrared and evaluation of roof and flashing system

Leakage Investigation

Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York, NY: Leakage investigations for multiple roof and building envelope locations
Breuer Building (formerly Whitney Museum): Leakage investigations for multiple roof and building envelope locations
American Museum of Natural History - New York, NY: Leakage investigations for multiple roof and building envelope locations
Museum of Jewish Heritage - New York, NY: Leakage investigations for multiple roof and building envelope locations
19 Dutch Street - New York, NY: Leakage investigations for tuned liquid column dampers

Facade Assessment

Royalton Hotel - New York, NY: Due diligence evaluation

Professional Affiliations

International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) - Metro New York Chapter, founding member
US Green Building Council (USGBC) - New York Chapter

Registrations

Registered Roof Consultant
Registered Roof Observer

WJE New York
1350 Broadway
Suite 910
New York, NY 10018
Tel: (212) 760-2540
jtorres@wje.com

Practice Areas

Building Envelope Assessment and Consulting
New Construction Consulting
Repair and Rehabilitation Design
Failure Investigation
Nondestructive Evaluation
Vegetative Roofs
Leakage Investigation
Facade Assessment
Prepurchase Surveys
Roofing
Plazas and Terrace Waterproofing
Water/Air Leakage Assessment

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates is committed to helping our clients solve, repair, and avoid problems in the built world. Supported by unparalleled laboratory and field testing capabilities, our team of engineers, architects, and materials scientists brings an enthusiasm for problem solving and a hands-on technical approach to every challenge.

Ask the Structure and Solutions for the Built World are trademarks of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

© COPYRIGHT WISS, JANNEY, ELSTNER ASSOCIATES, INC., NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Engineering

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SustainableConcrete.com

FacadeOrdinance.com

SeismicOrdinances.com

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EUROPE