Saiful Bouquet is providing structural engineering services for the Vermont Corridor redevelopment in Koreatown, a comprehensive project focused on the seismic strengthening and expansion of the former LA County Department of Mental Health headquarters. The initiative expands the existing 12-story, 155,000 SF tower with 88,340 SF of office space addition and 2,000 SF of street-level retail, ultimately creating a 279,000 SF administrative hub designed to support up to 1,400 workstations.
The structural design addresses seismic vulnerabilities of the original 1966 structure by using the new structure to buttress and strengthen the existing building through the strategic placement of new steel buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBF). The new addition’s gravity system incorporates composite steel beams supporting lightweight concrete over a metal deck, while the existing structure’s steel-framed systems are retained. The foundation system integrates existing belled caissons with new auger-cast piles. A key aspect of this project is its commitment to sustainable redevelopment. By revitalizing an existing underutilized urban asset, the project significantly reduces embodied carbon and utilizes innovative materials like Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate (ESCS) lightweight aggregate.
Phased over 31 months, the renovation will deliver modern office spaces, a fitness center, conference rooms, and public amenities, establishing a vital administrative center for LA County. The design also features a high-performance aluminum curtain wall system, a landscaped terrace, and a pedestrian bridge, enhancing both functionality and urban connectivity. This project serves as a compelling example of how structural engineering can contribute to both seismic resilience and environmental sustainability in urban redevelopment.
