Forell Elsesser provided structural engineering services for the new Spartan Athletic Center at San Jose State University, a Design-Build project with Webcor Builders and HOK. The semi-circular-shaped athletic center is a 55,000 SF, multi-story facility that centralizes and enhances all facets of athletic operations for SJSU.  The Spartan Center now forms the eastern edge of the existing CEFCU Football Stadium. The new facility includes locker rooms, training rooms, coaches’ offices, clubrooms, leadership development center, rooftop terrace entertainment space and multi-purpose learning spaces.

Customized Solution

• The building utilizes bucking restrained braces to dissipate seismic energy and minimize damage in a large earthquake.
• The building is very irregularly shaped to fit within a curved access road full of site utility lines and the Football Stadium.
• The roof structure was structurally stiffened to provide a long span opening for folding glass doors, seamlessly connecting the interior entertainment space with the exterior view terrace.
• A concrete ramp structure was designed to allow a handicapped accessible path from the new building down to the recessed football field.