Part 2 of the Times series on LACCD construction

Katbi

A new complex riddled with ills that are costly to cure (LA Times)

     The opening of a new health and science center at Los Angeles Valley College should have been cause for celebration. The complex included the first new classroom building on the campus in more than three decades. There were chemistry and biology labs, a greenhouse, an aviary, even mock hospital rooms for nurse training.
     But when students and professors poured through the doors, excitement quickly turned to dismay….
. . .
     Nizar Katbi, founder and president of FTR [in Irvine], defended his company's performance. In an interview, he said FTR met its obligations even though architectural plans were often vague and energy-conservation features posed difficult challenges.
     "Every problem brought to our attention has been addressed and taken care of," Katbi said.
     Dozens of interviews and a review of hundreds of internal e-mails and other documents tell a different story….