Buehler Engineering, Inc. | The J.L. Anderson Building | Anderson Hotel Apartments
San Luis Obispo, California
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The Anderson Hotel, downtown San Luis Obispo’s tallest and one of its most historically significant buildings, was constructed between 1922 and 1923 and spans 65,700 SF across five stories and a basement. Its importance stems from its age, Italianate and Mediterranean Revival architecture, location along the first State Highway, and its role in the city’s social history, including hosting notable guests. Since the early 1970s, the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (HASLO) has operated the building as affordable housing for seniors and unhoused individuals. The structure consists of an under‑reinforced, non‑ductile cast‑in‑place concrete frame with wood infill floors from the second level through the roof. Seismic upgrades were designed using a modified ASCE 41‑17 Tier 3 approach to address torsional and discontinuous shear wall irregularities. With no original drawings available, the team adapted the retrofit design to actual field conditions while preserving historic elements. Key improvements included new interior and exterior concrete shear walls at the basement and first floor, strengthening of existing columns, addition of a new reinforced concrete column, localized diaphragm strengthening with plywood, and roof anchorage enhancements. A notable historic solution was a refined coupling beam at the second level to maintain the lobby’s iconic columns. The completed retrofit ensures the Anderson Hotel can continue serving vulnerable community members for decades to come. 

John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. | The Fullerton College Building 300 Modernization & Retrofit
Fullerton, California
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Building 300 at Fullerton College, a 22,000‑square‑foot structure approved in 1935 following the Long Beach earthquake, is a two‑story cast‑in‑place (CIP) concrete building supported on CIDH piles. Designed under early DSA oversight, it features rare Art Deco elements that are difficult to replicate today, including double barrel‑vaulted plaster ceilings, a copper dome and gutters, clay roof tiles, wrought‑iron grilles, and cast stone and decorative concrete details. After nearly 90 years of use, the building required a major interior renovation, triggering a mandatory seismic retrofit under the California Administrative Code and ASCE 41 standards. Structural evaluation identified several critical deficiencies: inadequate shear and chord/collector capacity in the concrete floor and roof diaphragms, overstressed concrete shear walls, and existing piles that no longer met current seismic demands. All required upgrades had to be designed and implemented while preserving the building’s historic architectural character.

Nabih Youssef & Associates | USC Dick Wolf Drama Center
Los Angeles, California
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The United University Church (UUC), built in 1931 on the USC campus as a Methodist basilica, is a concrete‑frame structure with unreinforced masonry infill and brick veneer. Originally a house of worship, it was converted in the 1970s into offices and classrooms for the USC Thornton School of Music. After USC formally acquired the building in 2015, Perkins Eastman and Nabih Youssef & Associates (NYA) led its transformation into the USC Dick Wolf Drama Center. The adaptive reuse project introduced new theaters, teaching spaces, offices, and classrooms for the School of Dramatic Arts, along with seismic strengthening, fire‑life‑safety and utility upgrades, envelope repairs, and a discreet 6,000‑square‑foot addition housing MEP systems and backstage support areas. Because of its concrete frame, the building fell under the City of Los Angeles Non‑Ductile Concrete Building Seismic Retrofit Ordinance. The seismic upgrade followed ASCE 41‑17 and achieved the Basic Performance Objective for New Buildings (BPON) for Risk Category II, resulting in a high‑performance retrofit. While preserving its historic character, the revitalized facility now includes two theaters—the 100‑plus‑seat Sanctuary Theatre and the 60‑plus‑seat Stop Gap Theatre—along with integrated media, sound, and design labs. The project enhances the School of Dramatic Arts and achieves LEED Platinum certification, exemplifying sustainable preservation of a Southern California landmark.

Arup | LAX / Metro Transit Center
Los Angeles, California
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For nearly five decades, Los Angeles County sought to connect its regional rail network to LAX—a vision realized on June 6, 2025, with the opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center. Designed by Grimshaw with Gruen Associates as Prime Consultant, Architect of Record, and Landscape Architect, the project features multidisciplinary engineering by Arup, which led the station’s structural design, while JCE Structural Engineering Group designed the ancillary buildings. As a signature component of LAX’s Landside Access Modernization Program, the transit center will link directly to the forthcoming Automated People Mover, improving airport connectivity and supporting major events such as the 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Summer Olympics. The project is expected to increase transit ridership and significantly reduce personal vehicle traffic in the terminal area. Spanning 1,100 feet, the station showcases exposed structural steel that provides both architectural expression and essential support. The central Metro hub features architecturally exposed steel fin beams spanning over 100 feet to 60‑foot‑tall built‑up columns, while two 600‑foot ribbon‑like canopies define the bus plaza and integrate with the hub roof. To achieve seismic resilience, Arup implemented an enhanced performance‑based design using steel special moment frames, special truss moment frames, and special cantilever columns. The result is an elegant, open, and seismically advanced gateway to Los Angeles.

Buro Happold | LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse South
Los Angeles, California
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Buro Happold, in collaboration with Woods Bagot, designed the new Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) South at LAX using a segmented delivery strategy that minimized disruption to surrounding taxiways. The team employed a pre‑engineered, off‑site construction and relocation (OCR) approach, enabling rapid assembly and creating a highly efficient and sustainable terminal. MSC South adds eight new domestic gates as part of LAX’s broader modernization plan. The site was tightly constrained by active taxiways, an adjacent hangar, and MSC North, requiring the airport to remain fully operational throughout construction. Traditional methods would have required months of on‑site work and partial taxiway closures, but the OCR method allowed the concourse to be installed within weeks. Given Los Angeles’ seismic conditions, each lightweight, transportable segment required its own lateral system to meet seismic performance demands. Segments incorporate special moment frames with Simpson Strong‑Tie Yield Links in the long direction and buckling‑restrained braced frames in the short direction. Engineering and analysis also accounted for transportation and installation loads unique to segmented OCR construction. Buro Happold coordinated closely with Mammoet to determine safe pick points for moving each segment using self‑propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). The result is a resilient, efficiently delivered concourse that advances LAX’s long‑term terminal modernization goals. 

DLR Group | San Quentin Rehabilitation Center New Educational & Vocational Center
San Quentin, California
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The San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) is a cornerstone of California’s shift toward the “California Model,” emphasizing rehabilitation, dignity, and human‑centered design. Developed through extensive engagement with incarcerated individuals, the $192 million, 81,000‑square‑foot, four‑building campus expands educational and personal‑growth opportunities through classrooms, a media production center, an open library, and a shared café intended to foster community between staff and residents. The environment is intentionally designed to resemble a community college rather than a traditional correctional facility. Structurally, the project departs from conventional prison construction to create open, flexible, light‑filled spaces. A post‑tensioned concrete slab‑and‑column system minimizes interior walls, enabling long spans and adaptable floor plates. Lateral resistance is concentrated in stair and elevator core walls, maintaining seismic performance without enclosing the perimeter. By optimizing slab thickness and reducing material quantities, the design significantly decreases building weight and improves structural efficiency. A major project goal was reducing environmental impact. Strategies to lower embodied carbon included minimizing concrete volume and incorporating supplementary cementitious materials, resulting in an estimated 40% reduction in concrete use and substantial carbon savings. Delivered by a design‑build team including DLR Group, Schmidt Hammer Lassen, McCarthy Building Company, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the project demonstrates that sustainable, high‑performance design can align with rehabilitation‑focused architecture.

Hohbach-Lewin, Inc. | College of the Canyons Takeda Science Center and Strudent Services & Learning Resources Center
Canyon Country, California
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The College of the Canyons’ Canyon Country Campus opened in 2007, but until recently it operated using temporary facilities. The Takeda Science Center and the Student Services & Learning Resources Center are the campus’s first two permanent buildings—each four stories and together totaling roughly 100,000 square feet—providing students with a central hub for learning and community. Built on a former dump site and carved into an existing hillside, the project required a structural system capable of addressing challenging site conditions while supporting the campus’s long‑term growth. Both buildings use a dual seismic system: Buckling Restrained Braced Frames (BRBFs) at the upper levels and Special Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls at the lower levels. This approach provides strength, ductility, and stability while accommodating the hillside configuration. The two structures are mirrored and separated by an outdoor amphitheater that serves as a shared gathering space. Construction of the Takeda Science Center concluded as work on the Student Services & Learning Resources Center began, allowing the campus to transition smoothly from temporary to permanent facilities. The project team included Structural Engineer of Record Les Tso, SE, and project manager Molly Soukhaseum, SE, whose coordinated efforts delivered the campus’s first major academic and student‑support buildings.

Holmes | Avenue 34
Los Angeles, California
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Avenue 34 transforms a constrained industrial site in Lincoln Heights into a 468‑unit transit‑oriented community adjacent to the Metro A Line. The project required achieving high‑density workforce and very‑low‑income housing through a multi‑building light‑frame strategy while navigating significant grade changes across a multi‑acre lot. The Holmes team—led by Principal Nina Mahjoub, Associate Principals Jared Ellis, Chris Putman, and Jose Machuca, along with structural engineers Ankit Chaudhari, Chris Patron, and Gareth Morris—delivered the design with strong coordination and efficiency. The structural system uses an optimized light‑frame wood approach integrated with exposed long‑span steel trusses. This hybrid strategy streamlined framing interfaces, reduced material use, and enabled expansive windows and vaulted ceilings. To create the 1.5‑acre public paseo and large open courtyards, the team designed complex bridging structures supported by subtle 105‑foot vertical elements, ensuring generous light‑filled spaces accessible to all residents. The development includes three residential buildings, 11,000 square feet of retail, and two levels of underground parking that negotiate the site’s challenging topography. Advanced structural fire analysis allowed the team to omit fireproofing on roughly 50% of steel members, saving time and cost. By integrating rigorous engineering with site‑specific constraints, Avenue 34 delivers safe, uplifting, transit‑connected housing for families needing affordable homes.

John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. | USC Ginsburg Hall of Computer Science
Los Angeles, California
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The 98,155‑square‑foot USC Ginsburg Hall of Computer Science provides flexible research laboratories, a 300‑seat lecture hall, classrooms, state‑of‑the‑art instructional labs, a drone‑flying lab, and dedicated study and collaboration spaces for computer science students. The building also includes discussion areas, conference rooms, offices for student organizations, and lounges designed to foster interaction across the Viterbi School of Engineering community. Innovative structural solutions enabled the multi‑story floating atrium, open column‑free lobby, and long‑span steel framing that supports the transparent glass façade and skylight. The structure was carefully coordinated with building systems, including radiant in‑slab heating and cooling, and engineered for strong seismic performance. Ginsburg Hall is USC’s first LEED Platinum–certified building, setting a new sustainability benchmark and supporting the university’s zero‑emissions goals. A building “Digital Twin” provides real‑time monitoring of energy use, water consumption, and other performance metrics. Delivered by HOK, Turner Construction, and the full design team in close collaboration with USC, the facility serves faculty, researchers, technical staff, and both graduate and undergraduate students. Located south of Ray R. Irani Hall and west of the Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience—both engineered by John A. Martin & Associates—the project expands USC’s growing science and engineering district with a cutting‑edge teaching and research hub.

John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. | The Edes
Morgan Hill, California
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The Edes Building in Morgan Hill, CA is a new two‑story, 6,500‑square‑foot commercial structure serving as an adaptable art gallery. The first floor displays 3D works and sculptures and includes a small café, while the second floor provides a flexible workshop and event space with movable walls, a 400‑square‑foot frame shop, an office, and a restroom. Both levels feature movable display walls to support rotating exhibitions and highlight emerging artists. The building’s structure is composed of Mass Timber/CLT with exposed glulam columns and beams, creating interiors that shift between expansive and intimate. Innovative engineering enabled the use of CLT as part of the lateral system before such systems were formally recognized in building codes. Additional structural features include a multistory atrium and a large balcony suspended by concealed hangers, giving it a floating appearance over the entry. John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. collaborated closely with KTGY Group, Inc., Kent Construction, and other consultants during preconstruction to develop a digital mockup that ensured accurate detailing and efficient construction. Because Mass Timber/CLT was central to the design, the team also worked extensively with fabricator Kalesnikoff to optimize timber connections, particularly at interfaces with other materials, supporting both constructability and architectural intent.

Labib Funk + Associates | Ventura Springs Veterans Housing
Ventura, California
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Ventura Springs is a newly constructed 122‑unit supportive housing community dedicated to serving Veterans in Ventura, California. As A Community of Friends’ (ACOF) first development in Ventura County, the project represents a significant expansion of the organization’s mission to provide permanent, service‑enriched housing for vulnerable populations. Developed in partnership with U.S.VETS, the community is designed to offer stable, affordable homes paired with on‑site supportive services tailored to the needs of Veterans, including those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

LPA Design Studios | CSU San Bernardino Santos Manuel Student Union Expansion
San Bernardino, California
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The $90 million Santos Manuel Student Union Expansion at CSU San Bernardino is a three‑story, 105,000‑square‑foot LEED Gold facility where structural engineering drives both the architectural form and overall campus experience. The project resolves complex program stacking—including 65‑foot‑span column‑free conference spaces, a bowling alley, and a two‑story social lobby—within tight depth limits and a demanding seismic environment. A SidePlate special moment frame system was selected to maintain long‑term flexibility, ensure regular load paths, and reduce steel tonnage. Additional strategies such as depressed slabs and coordinated structural–MEP integration in high‑pressure zones eliminated the need for thicker floor diaphragms. A signature design feature is the 55‑foot upper‑level overhang that creates a shaded outdoor plaza. This cantilever is supported by paired V‑columns that terminate in custom rocking base connections engineered to resist axial and shear forces while allowing controlled rotation under seismic drift, ensuring compatibility with the lateral system. The structure also incorporates a large social stair directly into the primary framing system, bearing vertically while cantilevering laterally without amplifying torsional response. The result is a highly efficient, seismically rigorous structure that reconciles irregular program demands with carbon‑reduction goals while enhancing the student experience.

Nous Engineering | 1640 14th Street
Santa Monica, California
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The 40,000‑square‑foot building at 1640 14th Street in Santa Monica is a three‑story creative office and dining development organized around an exposed heavy‑timber roof that brings warmth, texture, and biophilic character to the interior. A concrete shear‑wall lateral system provides a clear and efficient structural backbone, enabling long spans and supporting the project’s emphasis on openness and daylight. The design prioritizes occupant health and productivity through natural materials, abundant glazing, and strong indoor–outdoor connections. A ground‑floor paseo enhances neighborhood walkability by linking a park to the north with the surrounding community to the south. Additional elements—including a landscaped pedestrian bridge and integrated trees above the basement—create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments and encourage spontaneous gathering. The structural system enables these open circulation paths and expansive floor plates. Concealed detailing within the timber roof allows the high‑strength flexible diaphragm to anchor to rigid walls and bridge around skylight openings without disrupting the architectural expression. Slender steel columns support flat slabs with clean embed‑plate connections, reinforcing the project’s refined aesthetic. Through close coordination among all disciplines, the building demonstrates how clarity, restraint, and precise structural integration can deliver a high‑performing, elegant facility—even within a high‑seismic region.

Saiful Bouquet Structural Engineers, Inc. | Robert Day Sciences Center
Claremont, California
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The Robert Day Sciences Center at Claremont McKenna College is a 4‑story, 135,000‑square‑foot landmark science facility that unites complex geometry with high‑performance engineering. Designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), the building forms a “hashtag‑shaped” gateway to campus through stacked rectangular volumes, each floor rotated 45 degrees from the one below. This radical, Jenga‑like configuration required innovative structural solutions to function safely in Southern California’s high‑seismic environment. Key challenges included massive cantilevers—some exceeding 69 feet—52‑foot column‑free spans meeting strict laboratory vibration criteria, and minimal vertical overlap between floors. To achieve this, the structural team developed a hybrid system consisting of three levels of structural steel supported by monumental exterior trusses on each block, all resting on a one‑level concrete base. Each truss bears on only two to four points atop the rotated truss below. Seismic resistance is provided by strategically located concrete core walls positioned within overlapping zones of the rotated volumes. The building’s complexity required three separate analytical models for gravity, seismic, and deformation‑compatibility behavior, including rigorous checks to ensure the main trusses remain elastic during maximum drift. This engineering achievement was realized through collaboration among Claremont McKenna College, BIG, IDS Real Estate Group, Saiful Bouquet Structural Engineers, the Herrick Corporation, and KPRS Construction.

Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill | Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) — David Geffen Galleries
Los Angeles, California
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The David Geffen Galleries, the new home for LACMA’s permanent collection, is a 900‑foot‑long, architecturally exposed concrete building that spans Wilshire Boulevard as a continuous sculptural form elevated 30 feet above ground. Designed by Peter Zumthor with SOM, the structure uses fully exposed post‑tensioned concrete as both its primary structural system and finished architectural surface. A monolithic, amoebic slab—defined by sweeping curves and 60‑ to 80‑foot cantilevers—supports a single expansive gallery level, allowing the museum’s collection to unfold as a continuous experience. The glass‑wrapped exhibition floor offers panoramic views, while deep concrete overhangs modulate daylight and provide passive shading. The gallery level is supported by ten reinforced concrete towers that rise from ground to roof and serve as the building’s primary lateral system. Achieving the architectural clarity required embedding over 360 miles of post‑tensioning cables and 15,000 tons of reinforcing steel within 85,000 cubic yards of concrete, enabling joint‑free construction and eliminating secondary framing. Mechanical, electrical, lighting, and life‑safety systems are concealed within concrete plenums with integrated circular penetrations, preserving the galleries’ calm, uninterrupted character. Resting on 56 seismic base isolators, the building achieves high seismic resilience. Its thermal mass, passive shading, and controlled daylighting deliver energy performance roughly 20% better than ASHRAE’s museum baseline.

Walter P Moore | The Bolt - Los Angeles Chargers Headquarters and Training Facility
El Segundo, California
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The Los Angeles Chargers’ new corporate headquarters and training facility in El Segundo is a three‑story, 142,000‑square‑foot complex delivered by Walter P Moore through an integrated structural engineering, enclosure consulting, and Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA) approach. Located on a 14‑acre site, the facility houses players, coaches, football operations, and business staff. Program elements include a state‑of‑the‑art gym, hydrotherapy pits, an auditorium with stadium seating for full‑team review, staff offices, an elevated artificial‑turf training area, a cafeteria, and a third‑floor Lux Club overlooking three full‑size natural‑grass practice fields. The campus also includes single‑story prefabricated maintenance and grounds‑keeping buildings. The structural system consists of lightweight concrete slabs over metal decking supported by steel beams and columns, with buckling‑restrained braced frames (BRBs) providing lateral resistance. The exterior combines precast concrete panels, metal cladding, curtain wall, and storefront glazing, highlighted by a 50‑foot‑tall all‑glass tension‑cable façade that creates a visually light, floating entry. A 25‑plus‑foot cantilevered roof overhang reinforces the team’s brand through a bold architectural gesture. Through WBLCA, the team optimized structural and enclosure assemblies to reduce embodied carbon, incorporating high‑recycled‑content steel and tailored concrete mixes to support the project’s LEED Silver target. The project was delivered by a multidisciplinary team across Walter P Moore’s Los Angeles and San Diego offices.

Brandow & Johnston | Puente Learning Center Seismic Retrofit
Los Angeles, California
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The Puente Learning Center is a 50,000‑square‑foot, two‑story steel‑frame building in Los Angeles, constructed in 1995 with an elongated cruciform plan. Its second floor and roof cantilever 32 feet on the north and south sides, supported by mast columns and a sloped tension‑rod system above the roof. Due to increased student occupancy, the building’s Risk Category changed from II to III, triggering structural and nonstructural seismic upgrades under the 2020 Los Angeles Building Code and Existing Building Code. The evaluation and retrofit design followed the ASCE 41 Nonlinear Dynamic Procedure (NDP). A major project constraint required that significant retrofit work occur only on the exterior, with interior work limited to after‑hours activities. This posed challenges because the existing steel moment‑frame lateral system is located inside the building. The selected retrofit solution incorporated a combination of one‑ and two‑story viscous damper frames and a pair of roof trusses to provide the required seismic performance. Two new exterior steel staircases were also added. The exposed damper frames and trusses complement the building’s original architectural expression, which features visible tension rods and mast columns supporting the cantilevered second floor. Their full visibility showcases the advanced seismic system and reinforces the building’s distinctive structural character.

Cannon Corporation | El Monte Elevated Water Tank Seismic Evaluation & Environmental Impact Study
El Monte, California
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The City of El Monte’s Water Division operates a 200,000‑gallon elevated water tank built in 1969 by Des Moines Steel Co., serving the central business district and surrounding areas. Due to its age, the City commissioned Cannon to perform a comprehensive seismic evaluation to ensure public safety and regulatory compliance. Cannon assembled a multidisciplinary team to assess the tank’s condition and performance. CSI/Certerra conducted a corrosion study and dive inspection of the tank interior, while LOR prepared a geotechnical report for the surrounding soils, and Rincon completed an environmental impact study. Because the tank is not a conventional building, its evaluation required multiple codes. ASCE 41‑17 served as the primary framework for assessing existing structures, while AWWA D100‑21 provided seismic parameters specific to water tanks. Using these standards together, Cannon developed SAP2000 models that incorporated water‑sloshing effects and allowed for longer‑period dynamic behavior, reducing seismic demand on the structure. The analysis followed ASCE 41 Tier 1 and Tier 2 procedures to identify deficiencies. This combined structural and multidisciplinary evaluation enabled Cannon to determine which components did not meet current code requirements and to recommend targeted seismic retrofits, ensuring the tank’s continued safe operation for the community.

IMEG | Theater Addition
United States
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Transforming a confidential client’s five‑story steel‑framed headquarters to accommodate a new theater required major structural reconfiguration. To create the necessary volume, more than 5,000 square feet of second‑floor framing—nearly a 75‑foot square area—was removed, forming a multi‑story opening through the building’s center. This demolition eliminated a significant portion of the second‑floor diaphragm and required the removal of multiple interior columns that previously supported three upper floors and the roof. To maintain gravity‑load support while preserving the open theater space, the design introduced an 80‑foot‑long internal truss spanning the new void. This full‑depth truss rerouted loads around the opening, allowing the upper floors to effectively “float” above the theater. Because the new central void and altered load paths significantly changed the building’s behavior, a comprehensive seismic re‑evaluation was performed to address modified stiffness, force distribution, and lateral performance. Construction sequencing was critical to maintaining stability as floors and columns were selectively removed and the long‑span truss was installed and engaged. The increased spans also introduced serviceability challenges typical of office environments, particularly vibration concerns. Detailed vibration analyses ensured acceptable performance under everyday use, and deflection surveys were conducted throughout construction to verify system behavior and sequencing success.

John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. | Cate School Modernization
Carpinteria, California
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The Cate School Modernization project revitalizes an existing 8,000‑square‑foot, single‑story 1920s concrete building with a wood‑truss roof and expands it with a new 16,000‑square‑foot, two‑story addition. The expansion houses media and technology studios, classrooms, a ceramics studio, study pods, offices, a double‑height terraced reading and lecture space, and the school’s library collection. Outdoor patios and garden areas were also refreshed to enhance opportunities for study and gathering across campus. The original building underwent an ASCE 41 seismic evaluation and was strengthened with new concrete shear walls, upgraded roof elements, and new foundations. The new addition incorporates concrete shear walls, a composite second‑floor deck, a wood‑framed roof, and spread footings. The project transforms the former cafeteria into a state‑of‑the‑art library and learning center, restoring key historic spaces while introducing bright, contemporary environments that highlight sweeping ocean views. John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. collaborated closely with Blackbird Architects to ensure the design respected the campus’s historic character. During construction, the team worked with Hartigan/Foley General Building Contractors to resolve issues arising from unknown existing conditions and site constraints. Extensive investigative fieldwork and creative redesign addressed unforeseen challenges in crawlspaces, roof framing, and foundations, ensuring a successful modernization of this important campus facility.

Labib Funk + Associates | Mullin Transportation Design Center
Pasadena, California
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The Mullin Transportation Design Center transforms a 1940s supersonic wind tunnel into a cutting‑edge, two‑story facility for transportation design education and research. Once used for aircraft and automotive testing, the adaptive‑reuse project preserves the site’s historic legacy while creating a dynamic environment for students and industry professionals. Its defining feature is a sweeping internal ramp that spirals through the building’s open core. Beyond its sculptural presence, the ramp enables students to drive full‑scale prototypes inside the facility, mirroring workflows found in professional automotive design studios. The lower level retains its robust concrete and masonry construction to support vehicular activity, while the upper level transitions to lighter steel and wood framing with cantilevers that create openness and flexibility. Integrating heavy concrete slabs with lighter framing required precise detailing and skilled craftsmanship. Sustainability goals were advanced through material reuse and energy‑efficient strategies, aligning the project with its forward‑looking mission. Located at the gateway to Pasadena’s Innovation Corridor, the center extends beyond ArtCenter College of Design to engage industry partners and the public. By blending historic preservation with visionary design, the Mullin Transportation Design Center becomes a collaborative hub for innovation and a catalyst for the next generation of mobility solutions.

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | The Lane Building
Los Angeles, California
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The retrofit of the 12‑story, 1922 Lane Building in Los Angeles demonstrates how performance‑based engineering can preserve historic nonductile concrete structures while avoiding the intrusive strengthening typically required by prescriptive codes. As one of thousands of pre‑code reinforced concrete buildings affected by the City’s mandatory nonductile concrete ordinance, the Lane Building required seismic upgrades that balanced safety, cost, and historic preservation. Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH), the structural engineer of record, evaluated both an ASCE 7 prescriptive retrofit and a performance‑based approach using ASCE 41‑13 nonlinear procedures. The prescriptive scheme would have required extensive new shear walls along the primary façade and deep foundation elements to resist uplift, significantly altering the Beaux‑Arts structure and increasing cost. Instead, SGH used nonlinear performance‑based analysis to capture the building’s true behavior, including soil–structure interaction that allowed controlled foundation rocking. The final retrofit integrates new reinforced concrete shear walls, a special reinforced concrete moment frame, selective shotcrete strengthening, and targeted fiber‑reinforced polymer confinement of existing elements. By fully utilizing the capacity of the existing structure and permitting foundation rocking, the design eliminated the need for micropiles and large shear‑wall additions, reducing construction cost by roughly 30% while preserving the building’s historic character and meeting the ordinance’s seismic performance objectives.