Structural Focus | Harbor House
Los Angeles, California
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Harbor House is a five-story, 107,000-square-foot Mediterranean Revival building located in San Pedro’s historic Vinegar Hill neighborhood, overlooking the Port of Los Angeles. Originally constructed in 1926 as the San Pedro Army & Navy YMCA, the structure was designed by Jay, Rogers & Stevenson to serve as a recreation center for World War I servicemen. Featuring dormitories, a gymnasium, café, library, and classrooms, it played a vital role during World War II, hosting approximately four million servicemen. By 2018, the aging structure was designated a "non-ductile concrete building" under a Los Angeles ordinance targeting buildings at risk in seismic events. Facing potential demolition due to seismic vulnerabilities, the building was instead fully rehabilitated. A team led by Omgivning, Structural Focus, and MDM Builders executed a comprehensive retrofit, converting the facility into multi-family housing with 100 apartment units, a restaurant, lounge, outdoor pool, new mezzanines, and revitalized courtyards. To meet seismic requirements without extensive excavation, Structural Focus introduced a distributed shotcrete shear wall system and new collectors, reinforcing unreinforced masonry infills and enhancing floor slab performance. The retrofit ensures the structure meets Collapse Prevention standards for historic buildings, preserving its architectural legacy while adapting it for modern use. 

Labib Funk + Associates | The Mayer Building
Los Angeles, California
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The Mayer Building, originally designed by architect S. Charles Lee in 1929, is a six-story historic Art Deco landmark located on Hollywood Boulevard. The structure consists of unreinforced masonry construction typical of its era, which posed seismic vulnerabilities requiring strategic structural upgrades for adaptive reuse. As part of its conversion into affordable housing, the building underwent a comprehensive seismic evaluation and rehabilitation led by Labib Funk + Associates. To meet current safety and performance standards while preserving the building’s architectural character, targeted structural improvements were implemented. These included enhanced diaphragm connectivity to improve lateral force distribution, reinforcement of masonry infill walls for added stability, and selective application of minimally invasive strengthening techniques. The retrofit strategy prioritized both effective seismic resilience and the retention of historic design elements. The structural rehabilitation of the Mayer Building illustrates a sophisticated approach to preservation-based engineering, balancing heritage conservation with the demands of modern urban living.

Holmes | 42XX
Marina del Rey, California
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42XX is a 200,000 sq.ft. creative office campus in Marina del Rey, completed in 2024, that exemplifies a modern, sustainable structural approach through its hybrid mass timber-steel design. The development comprises three low-rise buildings interconnected via seismically separated exterior steel walkways. Two buildings are constructed atop a post-tensioned concrete podium, while the third is a standalone three-story hybrid structure. The primary gravity system features 3-ply cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels spanning glulam beams, which transfer loads to composite steel girders and steel columns. The lateral force-resisting system (LFRS) consists of buckling restrained braced frames (BRBFs), connected with a concrete diaphragm at typical floors and a CLT-only diaphragm at the roof. Notably, 42XX is the first commercial project permitted by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LABDS) without requiring a plywood overlay on the CLT roof diaphragm—offering significant cost savings. Located in Seismic Design Category D, the structure was engineered to meet stringent seismic performance criteria while maximizing material efficiency. The hybrid structural system substantially reduced building mass and carbon emissions by minimizing the quantity of steel, concrete, and foundation work typically required in traditional systems. Beyond structural efficiency, the use of sustainably sourced mass timber significantly contributed to environmental performance, with carbon offsets equivalent to removing 262 cars from circulation annually. The exposed timber and integrated landscape design support a biophilic, creative workspace that connects occupants with nature. Overall, the 42XX campus illustrates a high-performance structural system that integrates modern seismic resilience, sustainable material use, and architectural innovation—serving as a pioneering model for mass timber construction in West Los Angeles.

WSP | Alloy
Los Angeles, California
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The Alloy project is a 1 million+ square foot mixed-use development comprising a 35-story residential live-work tower and a six-story office building, both integrated via a shared podium at Level 3. The structure includes three basement levels and is founded on a continuous mat slab, with thicknesses ranging from 3 feet to over 13 feet at heavily loaded areas such as the tower elevator pits. Designed to serve the community, the podium houses 10,000 square feet each of retail and restaurant space and accommodates over 100,000 square feet of parking. The podium also supports significant landscape and recreational loads, including a large pool, spa, and trees weighing up to 60,000 lbs. The residential tower employs a single central core shear wall to preserve open views of Los Angeles, making it structurally efficient while enhancing visual transparency. The adjacent office building also features centralized shear walls, with long-span beams between columns to enable flexible tenant fit-outs. The typical office floor height is 14 feet, with structural clearances ranging from 12’-6” to 13’-3”. A notable structural feature is the tower’s orientation—rotated nearly 45 degrees from the office block—which adds complexity to structural design and construction coordination. Additionally, sloped columns within the tower were incorporated to preserve parking efficiency and maximize residential floor area, presenting further engineering challenges. Overall, the structure is a highly integrated system balancing architectural ambition with structural performance. The project was engineered by Structural Engineer of Record Tony Ghodsi, managed by Siddharth Awasthi, and supported by key team members Carlos Gonzales, Andrew Gomez, Rahil Shrivastava, Akshay Patil, and Poorya Mirkhosravi. The result is a distinctive and technically sophisticated addition to Los Angeles’ Arts District skyline..

DLR GROUP | Chaparral High School Gymnasium Building
Temecula, California
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The structural design of Chaparral High School’s new 31,500-square-foot athletic facility reflects a strategic response to complex architectural and engineering requirements, with a focus on strength, efficiency, and integration. The facility comprises a basketball gym, weight room, dance studio, and associated amenities, all designed to foster student development within a space that reflects the natural character of the Temecula Valley. A key structural challenge was the development of an efficient lateral force-resisting system across multiple diaphragm levels—two flexible and one rigid. This configuration demanded a carefully coordinated load path to ensure structural integrity and optimal lateral load distribution. Tall masonry shear walls were employed to address lateral stability; however, their height and the use of high-lift grouting introduced significant design and constructability challenges. At the low roof, closely spaced wall openings created narrow piers, resulting in high flexural and shear demands. These factors necessitated extensive reinforcement and emphasized the importance of constructability in the design process. Further complexity arose from the integration of multiple systems. Close coordination with architectural, acoustic, and fire protection disciplines helped streamline construction and maintain functional efficiency. Structural steel plate girders were custom-designed with a tapered profile to accommodate roof slopes while minimizing insulation buildup. Additional coordination with pre-engineered systems allowed for the incorporation of basketball backstops and a rooftop solar racking system. As these components are governed by Division of the State Architect (DSA) regulations, early and precise collaboration was critical to ensure compliance and eliminate the possibility of delegated design. In sum, the structure is a result of deliberate planning, interdisciplinary coordination, and innovative problem-solving, creating a high-performance athletic facility that balances architectural vision with engineering rigor..

John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. | CSU Northridge Maple Hall
Northridge, California
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The structural system of Maple Hall consists of a structural steel frame with special concentrically braced frames (SCBF) for lateral resistance. Due to the architecturally driven irregular column grid, SCBFs were chosen over moment frames to provide greater design flexibility and efficiency. These braces are a visible part of the building’s aesthetic, integrated into the facade. SCBFs were also preferred over buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBF) to encourage competitive subcontractor bids and reduce lead times, as SCBFs are not proprietary and can be fabricated by any AISC-certified steel fabricator. This system was key in maintaining project schedule and budget amid pandemic-related supply chain disruptions..

John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. | LAX Terminal Cores & APM Interface
Los Angeles, California
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The new core structure at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) of Los Angeles International Airport is a six-story vertical circulation hub designed to seamlessly connect the terminal with the airport’s new Automated People Mover (APM) system. Developed through a collaborative effort between AC Martin, Austin Commercial, and the broader design team, this 180,000-square-foot facility integrates high-volume pedestrian circulation elements while supporting uninterrupted 24/7 airport operations throughout its design and construction phases. Strategically positioned to receive the APM’s 40-by-140-foot pedestrian bridge at level 4, the core structure functions as a vital intermodal link within the terminal complex. It features multiple new and modified vertical circulation systems—including escalators, elevators, and stairways—that allow for efficient passenger movement between key airport levels such as arrivals, ticketing, departures, and the APM connection. In addition to the vertical circulation components, the scope of the project encompasses structural modifications to existing concourse floors, the construction of new floor levels, and the extension of bridge connectors. These elements not only enhance passenger flow but also improve access and connectivity within the terminal environment. The structure includes integrated office space and was designed to accommodate high volumes of pedestrian traffic, providing both functionality and resilience. Its construction responds to the complex operational demands of a major international airport, delivering a seamless transition between ground and elevated transit systems. Overall, the TBIT core structure exemplifies a sophisticated integration of architecture and infrastructure, facilitating modernized terminal access while supporting LAX’s long-term vision for a more efficient and connected passenger experience. It stands as a critical component in the airport’s broader modernization efforts, reflecting a commitment to innovation, operational continuity, and passenger convenience..

MHP, Inc. Structural Engineers | Mt. San Antonio College Student Center
Walnut, California
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The structural design of the new 127,000 sq. ft., three-story student center is driven by its multifunctional program and challenging site conditions. Positioned on a sloping terrain, the building requires dual-level grade access and extensive exterior plazas, necessitating complex structural solutions. To accommodate the diverse functional needs—including study areas, dining facilities, recreational spaces, and a large 1,070-seat banquet hall—the structure incorporates long-span systems and significant cantilevered roof elements extending up to 34 feet. Interior spans reach up to 62 feet to create open, column-free spaces that support flexible use and unobstructed circulation.Floor-to-floor heights vary from 20 feet to 30 feet, especially in the banquet areas, adding to the vertical complexity. Additionally, the site demands substantial retaining walls up to 18 feet high, increasing the structural load requirements at the foundation level. Given these architectural and site-specific demands, the design team selected conventional site-cast concrete construction for its versatility, structural integrity, and adaptability. This approach allowed the integration of both expansive, grand spaces and more intimate environments within a cohesive structural system.Lateral load resistance is achieved through a limited number of stackable system elements, strategically placed to avoid disrupting the spatial layout. The exposed flat-plate concrete floors enhance the architectural intent while also contributing to the building’s thermal mass and structural efficiency.The resulting structure balances monumental scale with human-scale spaces, allowing for a wide range of campus activities—from individual study to large formal events—within a single, adaptable framework. The project exemplifies a collaborative, efficient design approach using proven construction methods to meet complex architectural goals and site constraints..

John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. | Natural History Museum Commons Expansion
Los Angeles, California
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The Commons is a modern architectural addition to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, designed by Frederick Fisher and Partners and constructed by MATT Construction. Serving as a new public-facing entrance on the museum’s west side, the project includes a transparent lobby with full-height glazing, a 366-seat multi-purpose theater, and an outdoor café. The structure integrates advanced seismic design, featuring viscous dampers with architecturally refined extender braces—visible structural elements that manage seismic drift while enhancing aesthetics. A key structural feature is the column-free span of the theater, achieved with 40-inch deep steel girders spanning 72 feet, supporting a state-of-the-art lighting grid. The theater's design also incorporates retractable seating for flexible use and an interstitial mezzanine level aligned with the adjacent 1960 Addition, providing an alternate lobby entrance. The Commons connects to surrounding public spaces through new landscaping and improved accessibility, including a modified ramp leading to the original Grand Stair Entry at Exhibition Park. The overall design creates a welcoming, functional, and structurally innovative front porch for a 21st-century museum experience..

Saiful Bouquet Structural Engineers, Inc. | Santa Monica High School Discovery Building
Santa Monica, California
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The Discovery Building at Santa Monica High School is a 260,000 sq. ft., $155 million facility that exemplifies Open Building principles—the first K–12 structure in the U.S. to do so. Designed by Moore Ruble Yudell and HED, the five-story structure integrates resilient and adaptable architectural strategies to support long-term educational evolution. Its structural system consists of two partially subterranean concrete levels topped by three stories of steel-framed construction. The lower levels use flat slab and shear wall concrete systems to efficiently house parking and utility spaces. Above, structural steel and ConXtech space frames enable large, column-free zones, allowing flexible configurations for classrooms, labs, administrative spaces, and a cafeteria. A key organizing feature is a 32' x 38' structural grid, which supports both spatial flexibility and operational efficiency. A raised access floor system houses mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and data infrastructure, facilitating future layout changes without major structural modifications. Live loads of at least 100 psf further support this adaptability, while demountable partition walls enable ongoing reconfiguration of interior spaces. The design departs from conventional corridor-based layouts in favor of clustered, integrated learning environments that promote circulation, visibility, and collaborative use. Unique architectural features such as open-air rooftop classrooms, solar canopies, “learning stairs,” cantilevered bleachers, and operable storefronts underscore the building’s emphasis on transparency, community engagement, and multifunctionality. This structural approach supports Open Building goals: to provide a long-lasting framework that accommodates shifting educational models and societal needs over time. By allowing for modular spatial evolution without altering the primary structural frame, the Discovery Building stands as a sustainable and forward-looking model for 21st-century learning environments. It is not only a school building but also a versatile civic asset capable of adapting to future challenges and opportunities..

Coffman Engineers, Inc. | UC Riverside School of Business Building
Riverside, California
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The structural design of the School of Business Building (SBB) at UC Riverside reflects a strategic integration of architectural vision, site-specific challenges, and sustainable construction practices. As a four-story concrete structure totaling 63,000 square feet, the building is designed to support academic, administrative, and student-focused functions, including classrooms, offices, an auditorium, and a café. Its layout promotes openness and connectivity, with long-span operable glass partitions and a prominent central stair enhancing transparency and spatial flow. Structurally, the building features a long cantilevered fourth-floor concrete deck, providing unobstructed views across campus while demonstrating advanced engineering capabilities. The use of large-span elements supports flexible, open interior spaces conducive to collaborative learning environments. A defining feature of the structure is its seamless visual and physical integration with the adjacent hillside, which was previously a parking lot. This site presented significant design and construction challenges due to its varied elevations and topography. To accommodate the sloped terrain, the building was partially embedded into the hillside, with the second floor situated at grade at the rear elevation. This required extensive excavation and earth retention measures. The structural system includes large retaining walls and stepped footings designed to manage elevation changes across the site and support the building’s load while minimizing environmental impact. These elements not only address geotechnical requirements but also contribute to the building’s LEED Platinum certification by promoting efficient site use and integration. Additionally, ancillary site work included the construction of two storage sheds and associated support infrastructure, reinforcing the functional and operational capacity of the facility. Overall, the structural design of the SBB balances innovation, sustainability, and resilience, serving as both a physical and symbolic foundation for the School of Business’s mission of academic excellence and forward-thinking education..

LPA Design Studios | West Hollywood Recreation and Aquatics Center
West Hollywood, California
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The ARC is a complex, multi-structure facility totaling 138,000 square feet, engineered to overcome significant site and spatial challenges. The project includes three primary structural components: a four-level Recreation Center, a two-story Community Center, and a three-story Grand Stair. The Recreation Center integrates community amenities, a gymnasium, and elevated swimming pools supported by a two-way trussed space frame spanning a 100 ft x 160 ft column-free area. A 15 ft-deep, 4 ft-wide mega-truss supports a critical edge of this frame. The structure also features a 30 ft cantilever over a public street, forming a skybridge that connects to the Community Center and adjacent park space. The Community Center is constructed atop a reinforced existing parking structure, while the Grand Stair—serving as a key circulation and visual feature—acts as a horizontal truss seismically cantilevered from a braced frame at its base..

Hohbach-Lewin, Inc. | El Rodeo School
Beverly Hills, California
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The El Rodeo School campus, spanning approximately 118,000 square feet across five buildings, reflects nearly a century of evolving construction practices. Originally built in 1927 with expansions in the 1960s, the campus includes a mix of structural systems: wood shear walls, steel braced frames, concrete shear walls, and CMU (concrete masonry unit) shear walls. Due to seismic safety concerns, accessibility compliance issues, and outdated infrastructure, the campus was closed in 2020, prompting a significant modernization and voluntary seismic retrofit effort. Notably, the steel-framed dome required complete reconstruction due to severe deterioration, and one 1960s-era basement was revealed to have been designed as a bomb shelter with an adjacent well. The project was led by Structural Engineer of Record Les Tso, SE, and Project Manager Molly Soukhaseum, SE.

Miyamoto International | HEIMAT Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
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The 960 N. La Brea building is a five-story concrete structure originally constructed in 1928. In its most recent transformation, the building was converted into a high-end fitness spa, serving as the flagship location for HEIMAT in the U.S. The renovation included the addition of a new pool on the lower roof level and an amenity deck atop the existing parking structure. Despite its age and previous structural modifications—including a voluntary seismic retrofit in 2013 with added interior concrete shear walls—the project team aimed to preserve the structural integrity without further major intervention.To support this goal, Miyamoto engineers, including Deepansh Kathuria, Philip Yu, Amir Gilani, and James Chen, conducted a comprehensive feasibility study. This included structural as-built investigations and material testing to assess the existing condition and capacity of the building. Their strategy focused on maximizing the strength and functionality of the original structure through minimal structural modifications. By carefully analyzing and leveraging the inherent capabilities of the existing concrete system, the team was able to introduce new loads strategically and employ a combination of materials and technologies. This approach enabled the integration of modern amenities while preserving the structural core of the building, ultimately delivering a cost-effective and sustainable solution. The resulting design demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can revitalize historic structures for contemporary use without compromising safety or performance.

IDS Group | Seismic Retrofit and Code Upgrade of the Library Tower Building - Rio Hondo College
Whittier, California
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The Rio Hondo College Library, a 54,000-square-foot, five-story structure built in 1964, consists of non-ductile concrete frames with distinctive exterior wall features causing vertical stiffness irregularities. As an "Essential Facility," the building was seismically retrofitted to meet ASCE-41 Continuous Operation performance under a design basis earthquake. A Tier-3 seismic evaluation was conducted using both linear and nonlinear dynamic analyses to assess the existing structural elements. To enhance seismic performance, a Buckling Restrained Brace Frame (BRBF) system was introduced, minimizing the need for foundation upgrades compared to traditional bracing systems. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) was applied to strengthen exterior concrete elements, and a specially prequalified steel moment frame was added at the east stair core. These integrated retrofit strategies significantly improved the building's seismic behavior. Construction documents were approved by the Division of the State Architect (DSA), and construction was completed in 2024 at a cost of $32 million, including seismic and tenant improvements.

Saiful Bouquet Structural Engineers, Inc. | The Press
Costa Mesa, California
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The Press is a 450,000-square-foot adaptive reuse project in Costa Mesa, originally a 1960s LA Times industrial complex designed by William Pereira. It was structurally reimagined by Saiful Bouquet in collaboration with EYRC Architects into a modern creative campus. The structure comprises five seismically separated segments, with the engineering team preserving key original elements such as concrete walls, steel frames, and canopies to retain the building's industrial character. Strategic, minimal interventions were employed to avoid seismic code triggers while enhancing usability and spatial experience. Targeted areas like the Main Entry and Dining Hall underwent seismic strengthening due to programmatic changes, while features such as the Skycut and open-air atriums were introduced by precisely removing structural elements to improve daylight access and flow. Saiful Bouquet’s approach balanced preservation, functionality, and cost-effectiveness, using in-depth analysis of legacy systems. The structure now integrates sustainable design principles, offering vibrant public spaces and significantly reducing environmental impact through the reuse of existing materials and infrastructure.

John A. Martin & Associates | UCLA Hammer Museum Seismic Retrofit
Los Angeles, California
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The structural scope of the Hammer Museum project involved a comprehensive seismic retrofit and tenant improvements to repurpose a 15-story former office tower—originally built as the Occidental Petroleum headquarters—into an integrated museum and office space for UCLA. The project enhanced the building’s seismic performance to meet current code standards equivalent to a new structure, utilizing advanced engineering methodologies. JAMA implemented a retrofit strategy based on ASCE 41 Nonlinear Dynamic Time History Analysis. Key structural interventions included the installation of fluid viscous dampers at the perimeter moment frames on the east and west elevations between the third and fifth floors, enhancing the building’s energy dissipation capacity during seismic events. Additionally, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wrapping was applied to exterior wall piers from the third to seventh floors, elevator shaft walls, and various column splices to increase shear and confinement strength. A significant structural modification was the introduction of a composite moment frame at the third floor, consisting of steel-encased concrete beams and concrete-encased steel columns. This system effectively transferred damper forces while preserving open bay spacing at the ground level. Maintaining this openness was critical to the museum’s programmatic needs, allowing for the relocation of the main public entrance to the highly visible southeast corner at Wilshire and Westwood Boulevard. The structural upgrades supported extensive tenant improvements, including new gallery space on the ground floor (converted from a former bank), a new main entry lobby, and a feature stair connecting the fourth and fifth floors. Together, these interventions enabled the Hammer Museum’s expansion while achieving essential performance and spatial flexibility goals within a repurposed high-rise urban context.