How do you revitalize an underutilized and seismically unsafe academic building and create a resilient structure that promotes interdisciplinary interactions and enhances community?

UC Davis Walker Hall Renewal & Seismic Corrections

Customized Solution

Forell | Elsesser Engineers Elsesser provided structural engineering services for the renovation and adaptive reuse of Walker Hall at the UC Davis campus. Walker Hall is a historic agricultural engineering building built in 1927 and is located at the center of the campus. The reprogrammed building converts the existing structure into a 34,000 sf Graduate Student Center, including classrooms, lecture halls, and administration office space.

The structural strengthening was designed to upgrade the seismic performance from its current poor rating to meet an ASCE 41 BSO performance goal for this Risk Category III building while largely leaving the existing historic structure intact. This building achieved LEED Platinum certification.