Projects

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit
Salem, Oregon
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.

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.

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.

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Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Team

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

René Vignos

Chief Operating Officer

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Geoff Bomba

Director of Engineering Operations

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Susan LaFore

Senior Associate

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Lori Jue

Associate

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Arthur Cao

Senior Engineer II

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Casey Ching

Senior Engineer

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Mike DeRubeis

Senior Engineer

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Michaella DeRubeis

Engineer

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Sydney Gallion

Engineer

Oregon State Capitol, Seismic Retrofit

Lauren Kercheval

Structural Designer