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JAMA has recently begun sharing some of the interesting structural challenges we encounter on projects. The latest in this series is the Broad Beach Residence – a 2-story structure with irregularly shaped floor plan for Michael Ovitz, of Creative Artists Agency and Disney fame. The actual building area is 16,000 square feet and the roof is about 30 feet from slab on grade. The new home fronts Broad Beach in Malibu, and while somewhat straightforward in design, is innovative for its structure. Second floor and roof gravity framing consist of steel wide flange girders, truss joist and 2x joists. The framing is supported on steel columns, and both levels transfer diaphragm forces through plywood sheathing. There is 3 3/8” concrete topping on the second floor. Lateral loads induced by seismic are resisted by flexible wood diaphragms. Loads from the roof diaphragm transfer to plywood shear walls and steel special moment frames. Discontinuous lateral force resisting system forces the l

Under the guidance of JAMA’s Activities & Adventure Committee, eleven employees and friends of the firm “fought for air” last Saturday, April 14th. The stair-climb was part of the American Lung Association’s annual fundraiser, helping those affected by lung disease. The group climbed 63 floors, or 1,393 steps, of Downtown LA’s AON Center; including 4 individuals that completed the trek in under 15.5 minutes (wow!). Congratulations to all that participated!

JAMA’s BIM Director Marcello Sgambelluri joined other multi-disciplinary leaders on Wednesday, April 4th in DTLA to discuss how the A/E/C industry is pushing the boundaries of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in design and construction. Central to the discussion was how these technologies streamline productivity, communication and collaboration. JAMA provided a VR booth showcasing how the firm integrates VR into projects, and participated in a panel that included representatives from Stantec Architecture, PCL Construction and software developer Kalloc Studios.

Cal Poly Pomona’s highly anticipated ARB (Administration Replacement Building) marked a major milestone this month as the last beam was placed on top of the steel roof. The 138,400 square foot facility which is comprised of two structures under a single, undulating and passive solar roof, will serve as the University’s new front door. The project, designed with CO Architects and constructed by C.W Driver, is expected to be complete this Fall.

2018 has unofficially been called the Year of the Woman. With 30% of JAMA’s workforce female, it was only fitting that the JAMA Women’s Round Table take shape. Spearheaded by Partner Jacqueline “Jackie” Vinkler and Project Manager Kim Pacheco, the group offers a forum for dialogue and actions that create a more supportive work environment. The group will conduct quarterly meetings with topics and speakers ranging from leadership and mentorship to current barriers or issues. The Round Table has also inspired the firm to highlight female employees, an often underrepresented group within the A/E/C industry. This month – structural engineer Kim Carden, SE and Production staff member Celia Barraza. Kim Carden, SE is not just an engineering powerhouse, but a lady on the move! In addition to project duties Kim cares for her two children and remains an active athlete. She led a group of Moms in an obstacle race in February, is running a half marathon in March, and a full marathon in May. Celia

On March 21st JAMA Partner Kal Benuska co-led a webinar entitled “Designing for Prefabrication: An Engineer’s Perspective.” Presented in collaboration with Clark Pacific, the webinar focused on the firms’ joint efforts on the Stanford Escondido Student Housing project, a 4 tower plus ancillary structures residence hall project that will provide 2,400-beds for graduate students. Kal and co-host Grant Guerrieri of Clark Pacific discussed early challenges and solutions with software and communication, as well as specifics of various prefabricated project components. The entire webinar can be viewed here.

JAMA is proud to be the structural engineer for a Los Angeles Business Journal Silver Award winner in this year’s Commercial Estate awards. The Urgent Care facility, centrally located at Runway in Playa Vista, covers three floors totaling 31,532 square feet. Each floor offers a different type of care — Urgent Care, Primary Care, and OB/GYN and Pediatrics services. The clinic design appeals to the demographically diverse tech community of Silicon Beach by providing convenient access to quality patient-centered services close to where people live and work. Read more about this progressive facility here.

JAMA has long been involved in the engineering of major art pieces, but this month the work of Senior Project Manager Jaime Garza, SE, is on display in London’s Gagosian Gallery. For more than a decade Jaime has worked with sculptor Nancy Rubins on various pieces, including “Agrifolia Major”, the largest of the pieces included in “Diversifolia,” the artist’s first solo show at London’s Gagosian Gallery. Jaime’s work included worked closely with the artist and her team to engineer the assembly and disassembly of the piece for transport around the world, as well as engineering cantilevered components and the base for earthquake, hurricane, and blizzard conditions. Diversifolia is on display until April 14, 2018. Read about the show and Rubins work here and here.