SUSTAINING A HISTORIC HIGH-RISE STRUCTURE

Author(s): Mahjoub, N. A. P. E., Stringer, M. P . E. and Tremayne, B. S. E.
Paper category: Conference
Book title: XIII International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components - XIII DBMC
Editor(s): Marco Quattrone, Vanderley M. John
Print ISBN: none
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-149-0
Publication year: 2015
Pages: 1129-1136
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: The most sustainable building is one that is already built. The safer building in an unforgiving seismic environment is one that has been retrofitted. Embracing both ideas, one of the tallest seismic retrofit in North America was undertaken in the heart of San Francisco.

The Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company headquarters opened in 1926, becoming the tallest building in the city upon completion. The building was an achievement of architecture and construction and remains an emblem of the Art-Deco movement. The building‟s current owner decided to embark on a challenging endeavour of reviving the historic structure: from preservation of the historic fabric to creation of open flexible workspace, infusing state of the art technology and sustainability to all its aspects, including a voluntary full seismic structural upgrade.

Careful planning and collaboration between design and construction teams allowed for a smarter, less invasive, and sustainable renovation of this landmark structure.

The next generation must acknowledge the environmental impact of adapting these buildings to fit current cities‟ demand, while keeping their historic identity. With advancing structural strategies, historic buildings no longer need to be viewed as obsolete, but as strong beacons of possibility in the marriage of preservation, innovation, and structural sustainability.

Online publication: 2015
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00