NYA provided seismic retrofitting for the one million square foot U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Medical Center. The retrofit design of the six-story building features a white structural steel web that stabilizes the building against the lateral movement, in the event of an earthquake. The steel web spans four pairs of reconstructed external stairwells that serve as load-bearing structures. There was no internal demolition or reconstruction while putting cross bracing on the exterior, which allowed the hospital to stay open and functional. NYA designed the bracing to be functional and aesthetically pleasing, which enhanced the building’s appearance.

The $60 million retrofit project, designed by the international architecture firm Leo A Daly, began in January 2005, and was completed four months early, in March 2008, and $5 million under budget. The main reason the project was ahead of schedule and under budget was due to the close communication and collaboration among the architect, contractor and owner, the VA San Diego Medical Center.

Structural Engineering Services: Hospital seismic retrofit design, structural steel braced frame systems, external seismic strengthening structures, healthcare facility seismic engineering.

×