News
Children's Institute, Inc. project receives National AIA Interiors Award
January 2012
The Children's Institute, Inc. Otis Booth Campus in Los Angeles has been awarded a 2012 AIA National Honors Interior Award. Incorporating a host of sustainable strategies, the adaptive reuse of the campus' three industrial buildings created the headquarters for a non-profit organization that assists children and families exposed to violence. JAMA served as structural engineer under architects Koning Eizenberg Architecture of Santa Monica. Information about the project and award can be found on the AIA's website: http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2012/interior-architecture/
JAMA Employees Receive Anniversary Pins
December 2011
JAMA values the commitments of its staff, and each year since 1997 has presented a JAMA pin to employees that have celebrated a milestone anniversary of any five-year increment. Presented during the firm's annual holiday party, the commemorative pins are a celebration of JAMA's employees and their ongoing dedication to the firm. This year's recipients included Dean Reyes, Felix Olmos, and James Gorbin (5 years); Tito Aguirre, Kim Suihkonen, and Scott Hagie (10 years); Patty Hamabata and Harry Zheng (20 years); Juan Solano, Kal Benuska, and Chuck Whitaker (25 years); and Richard Chow (50 years).
John A. "Jack" Martin, Sr., SE
December 12, 1919 - December 3, 2011
“There are those who imagine and those who create. When they come together it’s magic.” – John A. Martin
John Alfred “Jack” Martin, 91, passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2011 in Redondo Beach, California. Born in Spokane, WA in 1919, Jack used his analytical skills and intellect to shape the course of his life. He was one of the preeminent structural engineers in the Western U.S. and founder of the Martin Associates Group of engineering companies, including the Los Angeles headquarters, John A. Martin & Associates, Inc. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Effie “Nona” Martin in 1987.
Jack is survived by his eldest son and CEO of John A. Martin & Associates, John A. “Trailer” Martin, Jr. of Redondo Beach, CA, daughter-in-law Patricia and grandchildren John A. “Trip” Martin, III, Michael Bauer and Margaret “Peggy” Martin; his son Randall Martin and granddaughter Julia Tiffany of Newport Beach, CA; and his daughter Jamie Martin and grandsons Jack Otto, Brett West, and Reed West of Denver, CO.
Even as a young man, Jack put his analytical prowess to work “engineering” his future. Although college had not been in Jack’s plans, at the age of 19 he was invited to play baseball for U.C. Berkeley and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1943, the result of an aptitude for mathematics. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1941 and from 1943 to 1946 he completed Reserve Officer Training at Annapolis and served on the destroyer USS Russell in the Pacific Ocean. He later served as an engineering officer on the carrier USS Antietam. After the war Jack returned to Los Angeles and went to work for Brandow & Johnson Structural Engineers. In 1953, he founded John A. Martin & Associates, a business enterprise that would ultimately become one of the world’s largest privately owned structural/civil engineering companies. From the downtown high-rise structures to the condominiums in the Wilshire-Westwood corridor, to various Convention Centers around Southern California, the Staples Center Arena and the LAX business district, it is difficult to find a Los Angeles area neighborhood without some building engineered by John A. Martin & Associates.
Over an active career of more than 50 years, Jack Martin touched the lives of countless people. Jack proved himself repeatedly in the eyes of his clients and colleagues as an innovator, explorer and mentor. His natural interest in construction and tectonics, collaborative style, and fierce loyalty helped nurture relationships with private and public clients while his unique combination of intellect, tenacity and pragmatism brought invaluable lessons to the engineers, architects and contractors he worked with.
Jack also believed strongly in a culture of helping others. His generous contributions, both professionally and personally, have been recognized by numerous organizations including the Los Angeles Council of Christians and Jews, from whom he received the 1990 Humanitarian Award and the American Legion for his founding of several youth baseball leagues.
A private memorial service will be held on New Year’s Day to scatter ashes in the Pacific Ocean. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to The Make a Wish Foundation or the Salvation Army of Southern California.
Emerson College Awarded Westside Prize
Morphosis Architects was awarded a 2011 Westside Prize from the Westside Urban Forum for the design of Emerson College’s new Los Angeles Center. JAMA is providing structural engineering design for the Hollywood-based project, which will pursue a minimum LEED-Silver rating.
Natural History Museum Awarded
L.A. Conservancy Award
The Natural History Museum was honored with a 2011 Preservation Award from the Los Angeles Conservancy. JAMA is providing structural engineering for the project, which was cited for the seismic retrofit of the original 1913 building. The seismic retrofit, which began in 2006 and was completed in 2009, is part of a larger, $135-million upgrade of the campus.
JAMA's Design for The Cooper Union
wins SEAOSC Award
The Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC) awarded the New Academic Building at The Cooper Union the 2011 Award of Excellence in the New Construction category. JAMA completed the structural design, for the Morphosis Architects designed project, in 2010.
JAMA Employees Awarded 2011 S.B. Barnes Award
JAMA employees Trailer Martin, Farzad Naeim, and Barry Schindler were among the Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design Council members awarded a 2011 S.B. Barnes Award by the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC). The Council was recognized for services provided in development of the 2008 Edition of “An Alternative Procedure for Seismic Analysis and Design of Tall Buildings Located in the Los Angeles Region” which was adopted by the Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety for building design.
Marcello Sgambelluri Speaks at Revit ’11 Conference
JAMA BIM Director & Project Manager Marcello Sgambelluri gave three presentations at this year’s Revit Technology Conference (RTC). Entitled Revit ’11, the annual conference had been held exclusively in Australia. This year’s inaugural North American debut was in Huntington Beach, California June 23 -25th. Photos of the event can be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Revit-Technology-Conference/150050695053983