La Jolla, CA

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Scope/Solutions
Project Gallery
Project Summary

Scope/Solutions

Since opening in 1941, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego was expanded several times and by 2014 needed more space again. The museum undertook a project to renovate 8,000 sq ft of existing spaces and construct a 46,400 sq ft addition, doubling the museum’s existing size. SGH served as the structural engineer of record and consulted on the roofing and waterproofing design for the project.

Working with Guy Nordenson and Associates, SGH designed the structure for the new addition along with a seismic retrofit and modifications to the existing structure. Highlights of the structural design include:

A new basement level below the existing structure for additional exhibit space
Retrofitting the existing auditorium as part of a renovation to convert the space to galleries
A two-level, cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete, and steel-framed structure for the new addition with a below-grade parking structure located on a sloped site
An innovative multi-level concrete retaining wall system to support the new addition

SGH peer reviewed the proposed building enclosure design, recommended ways to improve performance, and helped develop details for roofing and waterproofing assemblies, such as:

Waterproofing for the new gallery below the existing building and a below-grade parking structure in the new addition
Terrance waterproofing, including expansion joints between existing and new buildings
Exterior wall assemblies, featuring exposed cast-in-place concrete, travertine panels, and aluminum sunshades
Low slope roofing with skylight assemblies above galleries