University of Rochester, Ronald Rettner Hall for Media Arts and Innovation

SGH collaborated with the design team and evaluated different structural options. We designed the structure for the exposed steel-framed building, reviewed cost estimates, and provided construction administration services for the project. The structure features the following:

• Cast-in-place shallow spread footings and foundation walls bearing in natural soils or on structural fill
• An architecturally exposed and polished concrete slab on grade on the first level
• Elevated slabs consisting of concrete on composite steel deck
• A lateral-load-resisting system consisting of a combination of steel moment and concentrically braced frames, and reinforced concrete masonry unit shear walls
• An acoustically isolated slab at the third-floor recording studio
• Cantilevered, cable-supported slabs around three-story atrium
• A monumental, cable-hung, structural steel stair

In addition to the work at the Ronald Rettner Hall for Media Arts and Innovation, we also performed a structural evaluation, and designed a concrete masonry elevator shaft and support for additional mechanical equipment in Morey Hall.