UCB Hearst Memorial Mining Building

UCB Hearst Memorial Mining Building

This Beaux-Arts, 130,000 sf, four story building was originally designed by campus Architect John Galen Howard. According to Robert Berdahl, the UC Berkeley Chancellor in 2001, when the renovation project was completed, the Hearst Memorial Mining Building was the architectural gem of the entire UC system.

 

This challenging project had numerous facets within the three core project elements of base isolation, historic preservation, and laboratory modernization. This was the first and only building on the campus to boast base isolation technology, which was pioneered at U.C. Berkeley in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The archaic materials comprising the original building construction were maintained using state-of-the-art seismic risk mitigation techniques throughout design and construction, including replacing the entire foundation system and other seismic improvements. The completed building now supports state-of-the-art laboratories, faculty and graduate student offices, teaching labs, administration offices, and classrooms.

 

Project completed by Doug Robertson as Project Manager and Associate with Rutherford & Chekene.

Architect

NBBJ Architects

Contractor

Turner Construction Co.

Photography

Diana Barbatti

Awards

  • ATC & SEI - Top California Seismic Retrofit Project of the Decade

  • SEAoNC Excellence in Structural Engineering Award

  • AIA Best of the Bay - Excellence in Design/Restoration & Rehabilitation

  • Construction Link Magazine - Best of 1999

  • California Preservation Foundation Award

  • California Heritage Council

Innovations

  • Seismic Isolation System

    Composite steel and rubber bearings enable 28-inch lateral movement during seismic events, decoupling the building from ground motion.

  • Drilled Pier Foundation

    700 drilled piers serve as underpinning, lateral bracing, and final foundation, adapting through construction phases.

  • Foundation Replacement

    First in California to replace a foundation while maintaining original story height post-isolation.

  • Historic Isolation Technique

    Major historic building isolated without additional shear walls or braced frames, preserving structural integrity.

  • Guastavino Tile System

    Seismic strengthening with epoxy pins and reinforced polyurethane foam, a first for Guastavino tiles.

  • Post-Tensioned Chimneys

    Enhancement of existing brick chimneys using high-tension steel strands for seismic resilience.

  • Reinforced Granite Parapets

    Core-drilled granite parapets reinforced with steel for stability.

  • Deep Excavation

    26-foot excavation below an existing wing, adding significant floor space and functionality.

  • Central Court Restoration

    Reconstruction of double angle trusses and removal of a floor to restore sky-lit Central Court.

  • Light Court Reintroduction

    Demolition of levels to restore historic light courts, enhancing natural light.

  • Hillside Central Plant

    A 6,000 sf Central Plant integrated into a hillside, secured by a 30 ft. soil nailing system.

Coastal Retreat

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