Our engineers worked with Stillwater Dwellings to design unique, custom, high-end residences throughout the Pacific Northwest. Many of these homes are on sloping sites or located near the coastlines with high winds and seismic forces. Large openings, cantilevered overhangs, and irregular shapes posed unique challenges requiring custom engineering solutions. From start to finish, our engineers work with the architect and contractors to ensure the design and construction processes go smoothly and exceed the end customer’s expectations.
This two-story apartment complex consists of one, two, and three-bedroom units. The construction consists of cold-formed walls with sloping panels and cold-formed joists for roof and floor framing. Large lateral loads due to the high seismic region in California provided challenges, special considerations were given to ensuring the various building components could handle the added lateral load. AZH utilized standard systems of CFS shear walls and concrete foundations to produce a structurally sound and economical solution..
This new 17,000 sq ft community center consists of two floors above grade and abasement along with two elevators, two 43-foot tall minarets, and large balconies. Keeping cost and constructability in mind, AZH used a unique combination of open-web steel trusses and I-beams for the floors and roof and cold-formed steel framing with hollow structural steel columns for the walls. A heavy-duty retaining wall system was used for the large underground basement and unique strapping and mid-height steel ledger beams were used to provide out-of-plane bracing for the 28-foot 2-story walls in order to meet aspect ratios for use as shear walls. Additionally, our engineers were involved with the architect and the owner through the design process to ensure the client-specific functions and requirements, along with desired aesthetics.
This beautiful two-story 6000 square-foot home in Portland, OR provided many structural challenges our engineers were ready to tackle along with the architect. From limited number of shear walls to open diaphragms, AZH worked through the specific and unique loading challenges that the features of the house presented. In the end, AZH was able to deliver a design that met the requirements of the client and adhered to building codes and jurisdictional requirements while being cost-effective.
Originally constructed in 1924 as a 2-story, 18,000 sq ft warehouse a near downtown Portland, this building was completely remodeled with a full seismic upgrade; the first floor was converted into a retail space with the second floor as office spaces, while also adding a new elevator in the building. The added load along with upgrading to current building codes required retrofit and/or replacement for of many structural members and connections portions of the buildings, including a new lateral force resisting system consisting of steel cross bracing.
This 8000 square-foot, grand 3-level custom home was designed to allow an open floor plan, yet distinct inter connected spaces. With intricate detailing, a curved floating staircase, 20-foot walls with tall arched window openings, cantilevered walk-ways, and windows everywhere, we used creative engineering solutions to create an efficient, well-connected structure. Other challenges included large unsymmetrical openings in the floor diaphragms requiring the use of strategically placed straps and drags struts to transfer loads to the limited wood shear walls throughout this complex floor system.
The Landing at Vancouver is a significant development project located in Vancouver, Washington. This mixed-use development aims to create a vibrant community hub, combining residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. The project is designed to foster a sense of community while providing modern amenities and sustainable living options.
Our associate team provided structural design services and construction management for this 12 building, 3 storey community development, helping to enhance quality of life for residents and visitors.
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