Have you ever received a call from a developer asking you to take a look at an old building? Sometimes, they might ask if you could tell them that it’s not feasible to save it so that they can justify tearing it down. Other times, they might ask you whether it’s possible to restore it. We, as structural engineers, need to understand our role in scenarios like this.
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Author Archives : David W. Cocke, S.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE, SEI President-Elect
David W. Cocke, S.E. is the founder and President of Structural Focus. He is an alternate member of the California Historical Building Safety Board and sits on the LA Earthquake Technical Task Force, as well as the Board of Directors of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the Board of Governors at the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE.
In the fall of 2016, a project team began to investigate the deterioration, causes, and possible treatments to stabilize and repair the limestone cladding panels of the former May Company department store (renamed the Saban Building). The building was gradually being renovated to form part of the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. …
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A Challenge for Younger Professionals
We are facing critical challenges that will affect the future of our profession. For our younger professionals – what should we be doing to make the Structural Engineering Profession not only survive these changes, but thrive for the duration of your career and for those that follow? …
Making a Historic Monument Shine
The renovation of a building offers an opportunity to rejuvenate a space and ensure the preservation and conservation of its history. The Masonic Temple in Glendale, California, once stood as the tallest building on Brand Boulevard and has housed six different Masonic organizations since its opening in January 1929 (Figure 1). …
Structural Focus was an Award Winner for the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Goldsmith Theater project in the 2015 NCSEA Annual Excellence in Structural Engineering awards program (Category – New Buildings $10M to $30M).
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Completed in October 2013, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts project includes the restoration and seismic upgrade of the historic Beverly Hills Post Office building and the construction of the new 500-seat state-of-the-art Goldsmith Theater. …