Our rocking, restoring braced frames lend greater sustainability to this replicable NZE building by minimizing post-earthquake repairs.
This two-story, 48,000 sf office building is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification with photovoltaic power, natural day lighting, rainwater collection, and an innovative chilled beam cooling system. Tipping Mar's rocking and restoring braced frames are the latest iteration of the self-centering innovation first implemented in our work on Orinda City Hall. In the event of a large earthquake, the frames are designed to first yield and then return to plumb, obviating permanent post-earthquake deformations and their attendant costly repairs. Instead, structural fuses designed to absorb seismic forces can be easily and inexpensively replaced.
Inspired by the owner’s preference for exposed wood structure, the architectural program includes four office blocks framed with glue-laminated timber beams, columns, and trusses; these alternate with glazed “connector” spaces around a central courtyard. Tipping Mar collaborated with the architect to make the connectors as transparent as possible in order to emphasize the adjacent office blocks’ wood structure.
In designing the exposed wood roof trusses, Tipping Mar created perspective renderings of a wide variety of truss member configurations and connection details. These renderings inspired discussion with owner and architect, leading to further refinement of the design. The resulting trusses feature paired glue-laminated timber chords and diagonal members sandwiching steel gusset plates and connected with timber rivets.
In addition to aiming for the high LEED target, the 343 Second Street project has been designed to be a replicable net-zero-energy building in order to remain consistent with the foundation’s values and to minimize the building’s impact on the environment and local community.