
<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3">Forell Elsesser undertook the seismic retrofit and enhancement of the Oregon State Capitol, encompassing multiple structures totaling 233,750 square feet. This ambitious $465 million endeavor involved a base isolated retrofit of the 1938 Capitol, a historically significant yet seismically vulnerable structure featuring non-ductile concrete brick infill and marble cladding. Flanking the Capitol are two reinforced concrete buildings from 1977, which underwent retrofitting using a cutting-edge fiber reinforced composite strengthening system.<br><br>The seismic isolation system implemented in the Capitol comprises triple friction pendulum isolators meticulously tuned to mitigate the effects of a seismic event from the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ). Notably, the project integrates an additional level beneath the existing structure across its entire footprint, expanding program space and aligning with the evolving requirements of the Capitol.<br><br>Originally designed in 2014-2015, the project experienced a hiatus due to funding constraints, only to resume in 2019. Implemented in phases to accommodate funding availability and ensure continued functionality, the current focus lies on the ongoing construction of Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance, and Safety (CAMS) phase III.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>.</p>


Salem, Oregon


<p>René Vignos is a Principal and licensed structural engineer at &nbsp;Forell | Elsesser. After entering the firm in 1999 and after more than two decades of experience, he is still invigorated by the challenge of creating the most elegant, inspired engineering solutions possible to translate an architect’s vision into a constructible reality.</p>



<p>As &nbsp;Forell | Elsesser’s Chief Operations Officer, René Vignos serves as part of the executive management team that guides the firm as a whole in addition to his responsibilities overseeing the operations of the core engineering practice.&nbsp; His skills in organization, administration, and collaboration serve him well as one of the leaders of the firm.</p>



<p>René has developed broad engineering skills in new design and retrofit, with a specialty in preserving and protecting historic landmark structures. He is currently providing state-of-the-art structural engineering design services for the complex rehabilitation and seismic strengthening of the historic Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This project involves the unprecedented base isolation and retrofit of a massive unreinforced stone masonry structure. In addition to his cultural facilities experience, he also works on athletic facilities, education facilities, national laboratory facilities, and overseas earthquake reconnaissance efforts. René is a licensed Structural Engineer in California, Utah, Oregon, and Wyoming. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a Master’s degree from the University of Texas, Austin.</p>



<p>In his downtime he enjoys tinkering with home improvement projects, camping with his family, and following the latest NHL hockey game.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>San Francisco Code Advisory Committee, Structural Subcommittee</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>University of California at Berkeley, Seismic Review Committee</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), Protective Systems Committee, Past-Chair &amp; Member</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), Member</li>
</ul>



<p></p>


Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City Main Temple, Seismic Retrofit

Dignity Health, Saint Joseph’s Hospital Patient Pavilion, Women’s & Children’s Center

Meta, MPK 21

Meta, MPK 20

Baker & Hamilton Building, Adobe HQ

Utah State Capitol Seismic Retrofit

Oregon Supreme Court, Modernization and Seismic Retrofit

LBNL, Building 33, General Purpose Laboratory

USF, John Lo Schiavo Center for Science and Innovation

UCSF Mission Bay Arthur & Toni Rembe Rock Hall

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

University of California, Berkeley, Simpson Training Center

UC Berkeley California Memorial Stadium Seismic Upgrade

UC Berkeley, Blum Center for Developing Economies

UC Berkeley Barker Hall Seismic Upgrade

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

California Maritime Academy Simulation Center

California Maritime Academy Dining Center & Bookstore Complex

Build Change Haiti Reconstruction Effort

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Rooftop Garden

San Francisco Planning + Urban Research (SPUR) Urban Center

Meta, MPK 22

Chief Operating Officer

René Vignos


<p>As Director of Engineering Operations, Geoff Bomba is a Principal and a member of the Forell | Elsesser’s executive management team. Geoff helps drive business growth through resource planning and ensuring efficiency and creativity of our delivery methodology. Using cutting-edge performance-based design methodologies, Geoff develops engineering standards, systems, and quality controls that enhance Forell | Elsesser’s forward-thinking approach to bringing architectural visions alive. He maintains our high bar for exceptional work through a consistent embrace of technology and tools across all projects.</p>



<p>Since joining the firm in 2003, Geoff has been a leader in the engineering design of complex buildings and he has worked on educational, institutional, performing arts, laboratory, and historic renovation projects. Emphasizing customized solutions, Geoff plays a hands-on role in design-focused projects, taking challenging architectural visions and transforming them into elegant, buildable solutions, while always keeping a project’s specific needs in mind. Through his work on existing buildings and historic retrofits, Geoff brings new technologies to leverage the existing building structure capacity and minimize the impact of upgrades on the building itself.</p>



<p>Geoff is dedicated to advancing seismic design and structural performance. He was part of a collaborative team with the National Science Foundation and the Earthquake Engineering Resource Institute to better understand the structural response of high-performance structures in the 2011 Tohoku Japanese Earthquake. He also works with local university researchers to explore new composite connections for steel structures, evaluate damage from earthquakes, and develop new seismic isolation technology. Geoff is a California licensed Structural Engineer and received a Bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and a Master’s degree in Earthquake Engineering from Stanford University.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC),&nbsp;Seismology Committee, Past State Chair</li>



<li>Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)</li>



<li>San Francisco Planning Urban Research (SPUR)</li>



<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


Salesforce, East Tower, Office TI

Nueva School, Arts & Administration Building

Nueva School, Library Addition

Gregory Bateson Office Building, Seismic Retrofit

OBO Consular Office Building, Adana Turkey

Kramlich Residence

Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center

Pasadena City Hall, Seismic Retrofit

LBNL, Building 15, Advance Light Source User Support

UC Santa Cruz Porter College Residence B Retrofit & Additions

UC Santa Cruz Porter College Residence A Retrofit & Additions

Stanford University, Bass Biology Research Building

Nueva School, Hillside Complex

Lick-Wilmerding High School, Expansion & Renovation

Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

Director of Engineering Operations

Geoff Bomba


<p>A California licensed Structural Engineer, Susan has been with Forell | Elsesser since 2007. With a detail-oriented approach, she is proactive and thorough in addressing client needs throughout the design and construction phases of a project.</p>



<p>Susan has worked on new construction and retrofit projects including healthcare, educational, institutional, and multi-family housing structures. She especially enjoys developing simple, customized solutions for the complex problems that often occur in retrofitting existing buildings. She also has extensive experience responding to clients and addressing field issues during the construction administration phase of projects. Susan received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and a Master’s degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.</p>



<p>Susan is an outdoor enthusiast and can often be found backpacking in the Sierras. When not exploring National Parks, she loves cooking and baking for her family and friends.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), Board Member, Business Forum Past Chair, Continuing Education Committee Past Chair</li>
</ul>


San Bernardino County, Valley Communications Center

Congregation Emanu-El, Seismic Retrofit and Addition

AOC South Monterey County (Greenfield) Courthouse

Las Positas College Child Development Center

Chabot Community College Math & Science Building Modernizations

Futures Without Violence San Francisco Presidio Building 100

San Francisco Friends School Seismic Retrofit

Foothill Community College Physical Sciences & Engineering Center

Chevron Richmond Research Park Technology Center Building 24

Tulare County (Porterville) Courthouse

Senior Associate

Susan LaFore


<p>As an Associate, Lori brings a broad range of structural design experience to&nbsp; Forell | Elsesser. Her background in the construction phase of projects has given her insight into the many complexities of building design, and she now challenges herself to find elegantly simple and constructible design solutions. Her experience includes performing arts, education, institutional, healthcare, commercial, and high-end residential. Lori received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from UC San Diego.</p>



<p>Outside of engineering, Lori enjoys exploring the outdoors, baking, and the performing arts.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Professional Associations</strong></h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


BioMed Realty, Emery Yards, Life Science Development

City of South San Francisco, Police Operations & 911 Dispatch Center

Masonic Homes, Assisted Living and Memory Care Building

Los Medanos College, Brentwood Center

San Jose State University, Spartan Athletics Center

California State University, East Bay, CORE Building

City of South San Francisco, Library, Parks & Recreation Center

Cañada College, Kinesiology & Wellness Building

Associate

Lori Jue


<p>As a Senior Engineer at Forell Elsesser, Arthur leverages his skills in structural design and analysis to improve the reliability of our built environment. He has contributed to a diverse set of public and private projects in both seismically active and hurricane-prone areas. Arthur is passionate about learning and applying advanced analysis techniques to accurately capture structural response in extreme events.</p>



<p>Arthur has led several international multidisciplinary teams in design competitions and enjoys collaborating with architects to bring their visions to reality. His interest in computational analysis methods and earthquake engineering dates back to his undergraduate studies when he served as the captain of the Rice University Seismic Design Team and researched on the seismic risk evaluation of nuclear waste storage casks. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Rice University and his Master’s degree from Stanford University.</p>



<p>Outside of work, Arthur enjoys experimenting with new recipes, going on road trips, and making tea with friends.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


Kilroy, Oyster Point, Parking Structure

BioMed Realty, Lincoln Center, Life Science Development

Kenneth Hahn, Hall of Administration, Seismic Retrofit

UC Berkeley Undergraduate Academic Building

California State University, Sacramento, The WELL Center

Senior Engineer

Arthur Cao


<p>As a Senior Engineer at Forell | Elsesser, Casey works on a variety of projects from the design of new buildings to the development of retrofit schemes for existing buildings.  She enjoys collaborating with Forell | Elsesser’s diverse team of engineers to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet our client’s needs.  After personally seeing the devastation from the Christchurch earthquake, she strives to use her structural engineering expertise to make cities more resilient to potential earthquakes.</p>



<p>Casey received both her Bachelor’s and her Master’s degree from UC Berkeley.&nbsp; Having an interest in the interdisciplinary nature of the A/E/C industry, she broadened her educational experience by taking courses in architecture and city planning.&nbsp; As a graduate student, Casey was invited to be a teacher’s assistant for the upper-division structural engineering class which initiated her passion for teaching and mentorship.</p>



<p>Outside the office, Casey likes to explore the rich urban and natural landscape of the Bay Area. She enjoys hiking, traveling, visiting museums, and photography. During the evenings, she enjoys cooking with friends, playing board games, and winding down with a good book.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>



<li>American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)</li>
</ul>


Sacred Heart Academic Arts Building

LinkedIn, Middlefield Campus

Millbrae Recreation Center

Casey Ching


<p>Mike is a licensed Structural Engineer with experience ranging from new construction of high-rise residential, medical office buildings, educational, data center structures and existing building repairs and retrofits. Mike brings a broad range of structural design, construction phase, and project management experience to Forell Elsesser. He also provides expert knowledge of reinforced concrete and post-tensioned concrete design and construction.</p>



<p>Mike is a leader in communication, bringing about a collaborative design team dynamic on the projects he works on. As a mentor to younger engineers, Mike fosters strategies to assist in developing skills to meet their career goals. Mike is a licensed Structural Engineer in Hawaii and a licensed Professional Engineer in Colorado and Virginia. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his Master’s degree from the University of Kansas.</p>



<p>In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, downhill skiing, camping, and cat lap cuddles.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>American Concrete Institute (ACI)</li>



<li>Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Concrete Institute (RMACI), President, Student Activities/Young Member Committee Chair</li>



<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>



<p></p>


Longfellow, Life Science Development, Parking Structures, San Diego, CA

Mike DeRubeis


<p>As an Engineer at Forell | Elsesser, Michaella works on a variety of projects ranging from the design of new buildings to seismic evaluation and retrofit. With a strong background in both structural and geotechnical studies, Michaella brings a unique and comprehensive approach to her work. She enjoys working with the team at  Forell | Elsesser to broaden her knowledge base and gain first-hand experience working on innovative and technically challenging projects.</p>



<p>Michaella received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her Master’s degree from UC Berkeley. During her time at the University of Michigan, Michaella was an active member of the Society of Women Engineers, specifically working on outreach programs to introduce middle and high school students to the various disciplines of engineering. This sparked her passion for sharing her love of structural engineering with others and helping young girls gain accessibility to science and math-based fields.</p>



<p>Outside of the office, Michaella enjoys exploring the Bay Area and the many National Parks California has to offer. She enjoys hiking, camping, and hammocking in the trees with a good book.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


BioMed Realty, Emery Yards, Parking Structure, Building 14

Engineer

Michaella DeRubeis


<p>As an Engineer at Forell | Elsesser, Sydney brings a broad range of experience to the team. She has a particular interest in energy dissipation systems and has worked on research with both friction and viscous damping devices. Sydney received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, graduating at the top of her class. During her studies, Sydney had the opportunity to explore historical analysis methods and present her research in Hamburg, Germany. Her previous internships at architecture and construction firms provide a unique interdisciplinary background to her work, and she enjoys collaborating across disciplines to define a great final product.</p>



<p>Outside the office, Sydney enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, and traveling throughout beautiful California and beyond.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


Presidio Quartermaster Reach Culvert

California State University, Maritime Academy, Mayo Hall

Sydney Gallion


<p>Rebuilding communities is what drove Lauren to pursue a career in structural engineering for the built environment. Traveling to Ecuador as part of the Bahia Beach Construction Team that rebuilds structures, Lauren realized the importance of designing safe and resilient structures as well as the impact these structures have in a community. As a Structural Designer at Forell | Elsesser, Lauren draws from similar experiences to advocate for resiliency and sustainability for the built environment. Lauren received her Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder and Master’s in Structural Engineering at Stanford University.</p>



<p>Lauren enjoys hiking, traveling, and scoping out new coffee shops.</p>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Professional Associations</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)</li>
</ul>


Structural Designer

Lauren Kercheval

Civic

Historic Renovation

Projects

Team

Categories