Space Needle Century Project Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit

Seattle, WA

Space Needle Century Project Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit

For Seattle’s iconic, 1960s-era Space Needle renovation, MKA had three separate and unique roles. As the structural engineer for the glass walls and floors for the restaurant/observation deck renovation, MKA worked directly for the glass supplier and performed extensive studies. MKA provided seismic evaluation and retrofit of the existing tower as triggered by the renovations. An extensive nonlinear analysis was utilized for the existing structure to minimize the scope of the seismic retrofit, limiting it to steel connections/splices for columns and base connections, which were effectively hidden to preserve the original tower’s architectural integrity.  Lastly, MKA was the structural engineer for contractor items, including the support for a large,  temporary construction platform elevated more than 500 ft in the air that enabled the construction work.