HOLDINGS: [1]-An architect owes a duty of care to future homeowners in the design of a residential building where the architect is a principal architect on the project; the duty of care extends to such architects even when they do not actually build the project or exercise ultimate control over construction; [2]-Allegations under the Right to Repair Act, Civ. Code, § 895 et seq., that the sole architects on a project approved the use of defective windows and designed a defective ventilation system, making the homes uninhabitable for portions of the year, were sufficient to state a duty of care to the homeowners, in part because of the architects’ unique and well-compensated role in the project and their awareness that future homeowners would rely on their specialized expertise.
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Outcome
The court affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal.