Hohbach-Lewin, Inc. performed a non-linear performance based analysis of this historic 1908 San Francisco landmark structure. The building’s original construction commenced almost immediately after the 1906 earthquake. The triangular floor plans mimic the bordering intersection of Market and Geary streets. Due to the lack of available documentation, an extensive non-destructive and limited destructive forensic study directed by Hohbach-Lewin, Inc. was conducted. Analysis was conducted in accordance with provisions contained in ASCE 41.
This project incorporated a seismic retrofit and rebuilding of the existing historic administration building. The expansion and reconfiguration of the theatre balcony and the construction of a new link building. Vance Brown Builders led the design-build team with Hohbach-Lewin providing structural engineering services and Hoover Associates architectural services.
Hohbach-Lewin provides evaluations of existing buildings, including due diligence reports, probable maximum loss PML reports, and seismic retrofit studies.
This 1930's vintage concrete building has been retrofitted and returned to public educational use utilizing performance-based seismic design methods per the FEMA 273 and ATC-40 guidelines as permitted by Division III-R of the California Building Code. These methods allowed preservation of the buildings historic fabric, which is highly valued by the community, and also yielded significant savings in construction cost for the San Jose Unified School District, which made it feasible for the project to proceed. Testing of existing construction materials was undertaken to meet DSA requirements as well as to obtain accurate values for analysis. The architect for the project was the Steinberg Group; the general contractor was Toeniskoetter & Breeding, Inc. both of San Jose, CA.
This classic, 2-story concrete building originally designed by the prolific architectural firm of A.C. Weeks and Associates in the early 1930's is one of many Weeks' buildings located throughout Northern California that Hohbach-Lewin has served as the structural engineer for the modernization and/or seismic retrofit project. Structural strengthening measures are designed to satisfy life safety performance goals with minimal impact on the architectural fabric.
