
<p>The new UCSF Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision combines a 5-story ophthalmology clinic and research center with a 12-story administration tower. The 340,000 sq. ft. reinforced concrete structure was completed using a design-build delivery model in combination with lean construction principles to maximize overall project value. The project team embraced performance-based design with a focus on functional recovery for multiple natural hazards, including earthquakes, wind, storm surge, and sea-level rise. The result was a balanced design that achieved the UCSF’s resilience goals within the stipulated sum price.</p>


How do you achieve enhanced seismic performance at no added cost?


<p>As Director of Technical Excellence and a member of Forell | Elsesser’s executive management team, Principal Steve Marusich is responsible for growing the technical health and reputation of the firm. In this forward-thinking role, Steve leads the research, development, and adoption of new systems and technologies, particularly in the areas of seismic design, resilience in the face of natural hazards, and the reduction of embodied carbon. He is also responsible for the overall technical training of the staff and the quality of our analytical and design solutions.</p>



<p>In his 20 years as a licensed engineer, Steve has developed a systematic approach to evaluating potential design options while balancing performance, cost, schedule, and constructability to develop high-value solutions for his clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;Steve has also managed or consulted on many of Forell | Elsesser’s base-isolated projects over the last decade, including the retrofit of Pasadena City Hall and the new UCSF Ray &amp; Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building.&nbsp; Due to his extensive knowledge and experience in new, existing, and historic construction, Steve is also sought after to consult on structural engineering plan check and peer reviews.&nbsp; Steve received a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley.</p>



<p>When away from work, Steve enjoys spending time with his family, travel, golf, basketball, hiking, and exploring new restaurants.</p>



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



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



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



<li>Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), Member<br>American Institute of Architects (AIA), Professional Affiliate</li>



<li>Lean Construction Institute, Member</li>
</ul>


GSA, James R. Browning, U.S. Court of Appeals Building

Kenneth Hahn, Hall of Administration, Seismic Retrofit

San Francisco State University, George and Judy Marcus Hall for the Liberal and Creative Arts

San Francisco Olympic Club

Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center

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

San Rafael Corporate Center

Meta, MPK 20

Pasadena City Hall, Seismic Retrofit

UCSF, Wayne & Gladys Valley Center for Vision

UC Berkeley Maximino Martinez Commons

Stanford University, McMurtry Art & Art History Building

San Francisco State University, Mashouf Wellness Center

California State University, Sacramento, The WELL Center

UCSF Parnassus Ray & Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine

Parkview Terraces, Senior Housing

Congregation Beth Sholom

Tulare County (Porterville) Courthouse

Meta, MPK 22

UCSF Parnassus Clinical Sciences Building

Director of Technical Excellence

Steve Marusich


<p>Simin Naaseh is a Senior Principal, and serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Forell | Elsesser. She previously served as the firm’s CEO until August 2020. Simin is a recognized leader in the A/E/C industry and has devoted much time serving in leadership positions in many professional organizations. She thrives on building strong relationships with clients and colleagues and applies this strength internally to foster a collaborative working environment. She enjoys design-build projects and is a Designated Design-Build Professional (DBIA). Simin has an interest in large-scale and complex projects particularly because of their intrinsically collaborative nature. With a history of managing both large and small projects since 1983, Simin also recognizes that the key to a project’s success is working closely with clients to create a customized solution to suit each client’s goals, whether that means attention to seismic performance, cost-effectiveness, or a fast schedule.</p>



<p>Under her leadership as former CEO and president, Simin deepened the firm’s traditions of technical excellence and exceptional service and reinvigorated its long-standing tradition of investing in research and development. Simin’s special interest in advancing the firm as one of the most innovative structural engineering firms in the nation is shared by the new generation of firm leaders who continue to advance this goal. Simin is invested in mentoring the firm’s young staff, with an emphasis on supporting women and minorities to develop as leaders in the firm. Simin received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Azar Abadegan in Tabriz, Iran, and a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor.</p>



<p>When she is not busy with contributing to Forell | Elsesser’s success, Simin can be found hiking, cooking with her family, or indulging in her passion for music.</p>



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



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



<li>Design-Build Institute of America, Western Pacific Region (DBIA WPR), Board Member</li>



<li>OSHPD Hospital Building Safety Board Member (HBSB), Former Member 2008-2016</li>



<li>American Institute of Architects, San Francisco&nbsp;(AIASF), Former Public Board Member</li>



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



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



<li>California Preservation Foundation (CPF), Past Trustee</li>
</ul>


University of California, Berkeley, Weill Life Sciences Building Addition

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Biosolids Digester Facilities Project

University of California, Berkeley, Heathcock Hall, College of Chemistry

BioMed Realty, Lincoln Center, Life Science Development

San Bernardino County, Valley Communications Center

Gregory Bateson Office Building, Seismic Retrofit

Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center, Berkeley, CA

UC Merced Downtown Campus

Pixar Animation Studios’ Film Production Facility

201 Post Street Seismic Rehabilitation

Utah State Capitol Seismic Retrofit

San Francisco City Hall, Seismic Retrofit

San Francisco 911 Emergency Communications Center

USF, John Lo Schiavo Center for Science and Innovation

UC Berkeley Undergraduate Academic Building

Santa Clara University Leavey Events Center

Santa Clara University Harrington Learning Center, Sobrato Technology Center, & Orradre Library

Projects

Customized Solution

Highlights

Team

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