U.C. Berkeley South Hall Entry & Balustrade
Berkeley, CA

Client:        University of California, Berkeley
Architect:  Irving Gonzales

South Hall was originally built in 1873 and is the oldest structure on the U.C. Berkeley campus and the only remaining building of the original campus. It is also a state historical landmark.

BBI Construction provided restoration and seismic upgrade services to the entry and ballustrade portion of the building. Conventional strengthening techniques were rejected due to the need to maintain the building's beautiful interior woodwork. A unique approach was used where holes were drilled down 14 ft. into the granite/stone foundation and replaced with rebar and epoxy. Seismic work involved steel bracing under the porch in the vault. The restoration work involved replacing the original redwood architectural details with cast GFRC and cast stone panels.