Background:
Pioneering Seismic Design: The Foothill Communities Law & Justice Center
The Foothill Communities Law & Justice Center (FCLJC) in Rancho Cucamonga, California, holds a significant place in architectural history. It was the first building in the United States to utilize base isolation technology in its seismic design.
Project Management and Innovation
As the administrative manager for HMC Architects, I played a key role in securing this groundbreaking project, partnering with HOK Architects. I managed the project through the design development phase before transitioning to new responsibilities at another firm. The FCLJC was successfully completed and occupied in 1985.
The Benefits of Base Isolation
Base isolation is a seismic design strategy that enhances a building’s resilience during earthquakes. By incorporating flexible bearings or isolators between the building and its foundation, these isolators absorb seismic energy, significantly reducing the forces transmitted to the structure itself. During an earthquake, the ground shakes, but the rubber isolators stretch, effectively holding the building in place.
Conclusion:
Overcoming Insurance Challenges
Implementing this innovative technology presented a unique challenge: securing project insurance. No insurance company in the United States initially agreed to underwrite the project due to the unfamiliarity with base isolation. Through perseverance, our project manager successfully secured specialized project insurance after calling Lloyd’s of London. This breakthrough paved the way for HMC’s primary insurance carrier to participate, allowing the project to proceed.
