The Stevenson Hall Renovation project is a prime example of the latent potential of older buildings on every academic campus. To breath new life into the oldest academic building on the Sonoma State University campus, the Design-Build team enclosed the existing courtyard under a glass ceiling—transforming the once under-utilized space into an airy, light-filled atrium that fosters student interaction and a strong sense of academic community.

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As the structural engineer for the renovation project, R+C developed several unique structural solutions to meet the project’s program requirements and the tight budget. For example, in order to create the atrium space, R+C devised a solution that allowed three seismically separate structures to be joined together. R+C also developed a plan to move all of the shear walls and lateral elements to the exterior of the structure, which enabled the substantial foundation upgrades to be accomplished from outside the building—a remarkable cost saving.