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Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Student Union was originally constructed in four phases from 1956 to 1966. Decades after its construction, the building was in acute need of seismic and functional upgrades. MBA developed the original Master Plan and worked on the subsequent renovations to the Smith Memorial Student Union at PSU.
The strengthening studies considered a number of approaches to interior and exterior bracing. In the project’s final phase, MBA and KPFF Consulting Engineers were hired to work directly with Fortis Construction to design seismic improvements throughout this unique, 5 story, 200,000 square foot building. The team ultimately devised a unique solution: a $1.7 million seismic damper bracing diaphragm that provided benefits for PSU and shortened construction time and costs.