Smart Seismic Retrofits for Essential Facilities: Balancing Safety, Cost, and Disruption
As seismic resilience becomes a growing concern across the U.S., building owners and design professionals are increasingly challenged to strengthen existing buildings without derailing operations, budgets, or aesthetics. Architects, engineers, and facility managers alike are being asked to find retrofit strategies that not only improve safety and compliance but also align with broader project goals, such as minimizing tenant disruption, limiting construction in sensitive areas, and controlling costs. In this webinar, we will explore how innovative, tailored retrofit schemes can deliver maximum value when designed around the unique character of each building and the specific priorities of the client. Through a series of case studies, we’ll share how creative engineering solutions have balanced competing objectives and turned constraints into opportunities. Participants will leave with practical insights into current retrofit approaches, emerging industry trends, and strategies for aligning seismic safety with the broader vision for a building’s future.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify industry trends driving seismic retrofit decision-making for existing buildings.
- Understand how client priorities—such as cost, disruption, or building use—shape retrofit design strategies.
- Refer to multiple case studies that demonstrate innovative, value-driven retrofit approaches.
- Apply key lessons to balance safety, feasibility, and client objectives in future projects.
Participants will earn 1 AIA CES Learning Unit (LU/HSW) for attending the webinar. Registration is free. Please note that space is limited – email events@sgh.com to join our waitlist if the session is closed when you register.
About the Speaker
Jim McDonald’s is a structural engineer whose practice has included structural design of education, health care, commercial and residential buildings; seismic evaluation and upgrade of buildings, including power generation facilities; structural condition investigations and rehabilitations of concrete, steel, and wood buildings; and condition evaluations of bridges, maritime structures, and ships.
Steven Shepherd is a practicing structural engineer with experience in seismic evaluation of buildings, power generation facilities, and infrastructure; seismic retrofit consulting; new design; structural investigation; and structural rehabilitation.
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