Converse San Francisco Opens on Market Street

Sierra Engineering Group is pleased to have been a part of the design team for the new Converse Store in Downtown San Francisco, one of their largest. The space is located on the ground and mezzanine levels of an existing four story building which includes a full basement below. It is a store featuring an exposed structural steel circular stair linking the ground floor to the mezzanine at the center of the space as their signature aesthetic component.  Our work included structural design of the stair along with the removal and reconfiguration of the mezzanine slab openings, re-work of both the Ellis Street and the Market Street entrances and a variety of other elements including the retrofit of existing building members and connections.  Sierra Engineering Group worked closely with the store design Architect to assist them in achieving the desired aesthetic effect, not a small feat considering that much of the structure is exposed and incorporated into the design. 

For more information see: http://play.converse.com/blog/2013/06/17/converse-store-in-san-francisco/

Project:  Converse Store – San Francisco
Owner:  Converse
Structural Engineer: Sierra Engineering Group
Architect: Jennifer Carpenter Architects
Contractor: Timberwolff Construction

More Professionals at SEG

Julio

Jessie



Francis
 

Sierra Engineering Group would like to congratulate all those at our office that have successfully sought and passed their P.E. examinations. This includes Francis Franco this year, Jessie Cruz two years ago and Julio Silva a little over three years ago.  We figured that it’s never too late to celebrate career achievements. Our office can boast that the design staff with the exception of one (we fully expect him to pass the last section of the exam this year) is now entirely composed of licensed engineers.  We believe licensing speaks to the intellectual investment, integrity, commitment and professionalism that each of these individuals brings to their work. Their continued dedication is a credit not only to our office but more so to the structural engineering community. We are proud to have them as part of our staff and look forward to continue to support their professional and personal growth.

Aloft Hotel in Cupertino Opens

 

On March 8, 2013, a grand opening celebration was held at the Aloft Hotel on North De Anza Blvd in Cupertino, California. It is the first hotel built in Cupertino in the last ten years. The brand is most notable for its style, which is different from the majority of hotel brands. The hotels offer a modern design, with unique technical aspects, and an atmosphere that encourages socialization. Sierra Engineering Group was the Structural Engineer of Record for this new 4-story, 125 room hotel. The work included an underground cast-in-place concrete structure which houses parking and supports a stepped post-tensioned concrete deck which in turn supports 4 levels of a wood and structural steel superstructure.

The project was originally designed as a different brand however the owners decided to change flags after construction had already begun on the original design.  The design team was challenged to make the required revisions to the first design without delay to the overall construction schedule, including obtaining all required approvals from the various jurisdictions. The design and construction team working closely and with the same goals in mind was able to meet the owner’s demand and achieve the expected opening date.  Sierra Engineering Group is proud to have been a part of such an arduous yet ultimately rewarding project.

Project: Aloft Cupertino – A Vision of W Hotels

Owner: Shashi Corporation
Structural Engineer: Sierra Engineering Group
Architect: RYS Architects
Contractor: SD Deacon General Contractor

KATO Road Grade Separation Retaining Walls Under Construction

 

 

 

 

As part of the BART South Bay Extension Project (SVRT) structural design team, Sierra Engineering Group is the engineer-of-record for the design the DSM (Dense Soil Mix) retaining walls for the subject project. Ultimately the concrete wall facing will act compositely with the steel soldier piles which are anchored to the wall with headed welded studs. Due to the sensitive nature of adjacent properties and utilities, we were charged with examining the wall behavior at various stages of construction. Our extensive analysis made use of the latest design software to accomplish this task, namely PYWALL as well as others. Construction is currently proceeding with the tiebacks already detensioned and the walls behaving as anticipated.  The majority of the concrete struts which span under the width of the future roadway are in place and placement of wall reinforcement under way.

Sierra Engineering Group Now Licensed in Michigan

Due to the continuing demand from clients that operate nationwide, Sierra Engineering Group continues to add capabilities by gaining licenses to offer our engineering services on as many states as our clients demand.  To that end, we are now licensed in the State of Michigan. Please take a look at our website for a comprehensive list of all the states in which we are licensed to practice. 

In Honor of National Poetry Month - For Engineers

The Sons of Martha
by Rudyard Kipling


THE Sons of Mary seldom bother, for they have inherited that good part;
But the Sons of Martha favour their Mother of the careful soul and the troubled heart.
And because she lost her temper once, and because she was rude to the Lord her Guest,
Her Sons must wait upon Mary's Sons, world without end, reprieve, or rest.
It is their care in all the ages to take the buffet and cushion the shock.
It is their care that the gear engages; it is their care that the switches lock.
It is their care that the wheels run truly; it is their care to embark and entrain,
Tally, transport, and deliver duly the Sons of Mary by land and main.
They say to mountains, " Be ye removèd" They say to the lesser floods " Be dry."
Under their rods are the rocks reprovèd - they are not afraid of that which is high.
Then do the hill tops shake to the summit - then is the bed of the deep laid bare,
That the Sons of Mary may overcome it, pleasantly sleeping and unaware.
They finger death at their gloves' end where they piece and repiece the living wires.
He rears against the gates they tend: they feed him hungry behind their fires.
Early at dawn, ere men see clear, they stumble into his terrible stall,
And hale him forth like a haltered steer, and goad and turn him till evenfall.
To these from birth is Belief forbidden; from these till death is Relief afar.
They are concerned with matters hidden - under the earthline their altars are
The secret fountains to follow up, waters withdrawn to restore to the mouth,
And gather the floods as in a cup, and pour them again at a city's drouth.
They do not preach that their God will rouse them a little before the nuts work loose.
They do not teach that His Pity allows them to leave their job when they damn-well choose.
As in the thronged and the lighted ways, so in the dark and the desert they stand,
Wary and watchful all their days that their brethren's days may be long in the land.
Raise ye the stone or cleave the wood to make a path more fair or flat;
Lo, it is black already with blood some Son of Martha spilled for that !
Not as a ladder from earth to Heaven, not as a witness to any creed,
But simple service simply given to his own kind in their common need.
And the Sons of Mary smile and are blessèd - they know the angels are on their side.
They know in them is the Grace confessèd, and for them are the Mercies multiplied.
They sit at the Feet - they hear the Word - they see how truly the Promise runs.
They have cast their burden upon the Lord, and - the Lord He lays it on Martha's Sons !

Our word

Often we are asked how we market Sierra Engineering Group (SEG). Our response is simple; our marketing efforts are based on a single tenet: Trust.  Most engineering firms share similar claims; they provide quality work, excellent service, timely delivery and unparalleled expertise.  These proclamations are not likely to distinguish one firm from another.  Certainly they are all capable of all that they pronounce about themselves. We have no doubt about the integrity and ethics of our profession and remain proud to have chosen structural engineering as a career.  We all strive for the same thing. But how do we separate ourselves from others, how do we stand out.

At SEG marketing is about building relationships. However, in today’s economic climate, most end users tend to seek multiple proposals, a practice that has resulted in the commodization of engineering services. Our approach has seen diminishing returns yet we believe in its value and remain committed to it.

Years ago, I was recommended to an Architect by a contractor.  When I visited the Architect’s office, I noticed a number of multistory building drawings hanging on the walls.  After SEG successfully completed the project, I approached the Architect about the possibility of doing more work for them.  I asked specifically about the project types that were hanging on the walls.  He asked about our experience level with multistory concrete construction. I responded that ours was a young office and that although I personally had the experience, our staff was still evolving and their experience was not to the level required.  I was honest that as Principal of the firm my own time was limited and I was not able to lead the project myself. Impressed by my honesty, passing on a truly substantial project, he simply asked me to let him know when we were ready.

True to his word, about two years later I approached him again and simply told him we were ready.  He immediately awarded us with a project. To this day that Architect remains as our best and most loyal client.  Simple honesty gained their trust. 

At SEG, we consider our word to be invaluable. It is how trust is founded.  And trust is how lasting business relationships are built.