Saiful Bouquet is the structural engineer for the new 90,000 sq. ft. Science & Technology complex for the Los Angeles City College. The project includes: 25 new classrooms and four lecture halls; 36 private offices with 30 open area workstations and two new computer labs. The building will also include equipment such as computerized human patient simulators for nursing, a CAD/CAM milling machine for dental technology, a Gas Chromatograph and a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance machine for chemistry.
The new three-story steel structure located near the campus’ main entrance was designed with a structural steel frame and concentric chevron braced frames. Due to high water table at the site, the first floor was raised above existing grade. The shallow foundations were designed to minimize surcharge to an adjacent MTA station and tunnel. The building is also designed to qualify for the US Green Building Council’s LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating. LEED™ design features include roof-mounted solar panels, which will supply 10 percent of the building’s energy needs. Other features include an advanced Heating, Ventilation, Air Condition system, which will increase efficiency, reduce energy use, improve air quality, and reduce maintenance costs of the building.
