Seismic Shift: Historic Mid-Century Modern Icons Brace for Earthquake Upgrades
Earthquakes are common, but collapsed buildings, with contemporary structural design, are fortunately very rare. The same is not true in mid-century modern construction, which can be far more deadly, as the structures often lack sufficient reinforcing to withstand seismic forces. Many concrete buildings completed prior to the mid-1970s, for example, require retrofits to bolster their beams and columns, said architect John Lesak, principal-in-charge of Page & Turnbull’s Los Angeles office.
Savvy owners are acting immediately, taking advantage of the post-pandemic era’s lighter occupancy levels to coordinate and stage seismic interventions without causing major disruptions to building tenants and occupants. Some are responding to new ordinances in places from Oregon to South Carolina.