News

JAMA staff are constantly evolving in terms of their professional and personal skills, including adding engineering credentials. This month several JAMA staff members passed important milestones, including Project Manager Ben Rogowski (right) passing his SE exam and David Dorier-Sammut (left) passing his CE exam. Additionally, Kent Kaewwaen, Greg Orozco and Shane Fitzgerald attended a DSA Academy Class on Structural Plan Review. The one-day course promotes consistency by teaching A/E/C professionals about submittal requirements for more complete submittals and an expedited review/ approval process.

The Caltech Karman labs have officially opened for business! The project, which was a design-build effort between MATT Construction, CO Architects and JAMA, included two main lab spaces. The first was the Solar Space Power Initiative located in the existing building’s subbasement, and the second was the Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (C.A.S.T.) lab. The CAST lab (shown) is located on the ground floor and connected to a newly covered, 3-story open-air drone testing arena and observation deck. Congratulations to the project team, which included Kurt Clandening, Greg Orozco, Kent Kaewwaen, Mitch Fanning, Art Padilla, and Celia Barraza.

After three years of construction one of the largest buildings on USC’s campus in now complete. The Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience celebrated a ribbon cutting last week, marking an important step forward in cutting edge bioscience research for the University. The 190,000 square foot facility unites both scientists and engineers in bioscience research related to new drug therapies, high-tech diagnostics and biomedical devices. Undergraduate students also benefit from the new structure as the host of a Bridge Undergraduate Science program – a collaboration across multiple disciplines. Congratulations to architect HOK, contractor DPR Construction and JAMA team members Kurt Clandening, Greg Orozco and Art Padilla. Congrats!

Structural Engineer Kent Kaewwaen was named a Project Manager at JAMA this month, a recognition of his leadership skills, technical expertise, and professional participation. A specialist in the education sector, Kent brings extensive knowledge of structural design and retrofits within K-12 and university environments. Current projects include the Venice High School Comprehensive Modernization with NAC Architects and the Grant High School Comprehensive Modernization with IBI Group, both for LAUSD. Kent is also a dedicated mentor, participating in JAMA’s internal program as well as spearheading two mentoring teams with the ACE Mentor Program of Los Angeles.

Located on the corner of Antelope and Keller Roads, the new Kaiser Permanente Murrieta Medical Offices are open! The 83,000 square foot facility offers care options for Kaiser Permanente members in the Murrieta, Temecula, and Wildomar areas. The Medical Offices feature an innovative, patient-centric design that takes advantage of natural light and ventilation. In addition to the Medical Offices, the facility provides a Thrive Walk, conference center, and an open and inviting reception area. The 2-story project was a structural collaboration between John A. Martin and ConXtech, offering a fast-track erection approach to the building’s structural steel moment frames.

JAMA takes our holidays seriously, and Halloween is no different. As part of the firm’s monthly happy hour gathering, a friendly pumpkin carving contest got everyone in the Fall spirit. Employees and friends displayed amazing skill and creativity in their efforts – with everything from scary to political to funny pumpkins. The winner was the Pumpkin Burger, complete w/ pumpkin fries!

One of JAMA’s latest classroom / multi-use buildings opened last month at Lincoln Elementary School in LA Crescenta, California. Developed as part of the State’s Overcrowding Relief or “ORG” program, 50% of the project funds were given by the State to reduce the number of portable classrooms on overcrowded school sites and replace them with permanent facilities. The ORG project at Lincoln Elementary consists of a new, 1-story, 6-classroom building, including technology and audio/visual systems, student and staff restrooms, and storage spaces. The new building is intended to replace older bungalows on the campus, displacing six aging bungalows and provide a beautiful new permanent building for Glendale Unified students attending Lincoln Elementary.

This September a group of JAMA high steppers took on 75 stories of the US Bank Tower in DTLA, which is home to the tallest stairwell west of the Mississippi. The effort was not only good for the group’s lungs but served as an important fundraiser for YMCA. Every dollar raised supported YMCA community programs in and around Downtown Los Angeles, including supporting YMCA program participation for children, teens, families, and seniors in some of the most under-resourced neighborhoods in the city. Go Team!