MHP’s Design & Retrofit group focuses on supporting architects, developers and building owners in executing the structural design for their projects. With group strength built around the diversity in experience of the managing partners the design group is poised to tackle any structural engineering challenge. Under the guidance of Rick Beall, Terry Fernandez and Ken O’Dell each member of the team brings a unique approach, refreshing determination and personal commitment to reach the project goals set forth by their clients. The group prides itself on providing creative yet cost effective solutions throughout the project timeline from schematics to completion of construction.
Use of appropriate state-of-the-art analysis tools provides MHP the ability to quickly assess the structural needs for projects. With the in-house software and technology available to MHP engineers, no project is too small or too large. From straight forward new design to complex retrofit or renovation, the MHP team of engineers thrives on turning complicated challenges into opportunities to achieve the client’s vision of the end product.
At MHP the relationship between the client and engineering team is essential to a successful design. Throughout the stages of the design process, involvement of a MHP principal contributes to the success of the team. As the Partners work with the project engineers, each step is carefully planned keeping in mind potential problems and opportunities associated with the proposed design. This system offers valuable insight to the client and project Architect, heading off potential conflicts early on. With this approach it is the goal of the MHP team to continue building long-term relationships with valued clients by being a resource of knowledge for the current project or the next.
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
CHINO HILLS GOVERNMENT CENTER
Chino Hills, California
New Facility
TYPE
Design-Civic
CLIENT
City of Chino Hills
ARCHITECTS
LPA, Inc.
CONSTRUCTION COST
Anticipated construction costs of $50 million
PROJECT STATUS
Bid in March of 2007. Construction completion anticipated middle of 2008.
STRUCTURE SPECIFICS
MHP was asked to assist with the completion of a construction document initiated by a previous design consultant. Comprising of four buildings, the “Government Center” will be home to City Hall functions, a new library, a Fire Department administration center and Sheriff’s center.
CHALLENGES AND NEEDS
Four diverse structures were coordinated with similar construction methods to help control cost efficiencies and fulfill specific individual needs. An additional challenge MHP engineers faced was the client’s desire to have a covered drive aisle between the library and City Hall structures. This required a complicated extension of the City Hall roof over the drive aisle with column supports piercing through the library roof.
SCOPE OF SERVICE AND SOLUTION
Consisting of a structural steel system, the City Hall building will have steel moment frames while the library, Fire Department administration and Sheriff’s buildings will utilize wood glue-laminated framing with both masonry shear walls and steel braced frames.
