UW Suzzallo Library Renovation

Seattle, WA

UW Suzzallo Library Renovation

Originally designed in 1925 and expanded in multiple phases throughout the first half of the 20th century, the historic campus library at the University of Washington required several seismic retrofit approaches to unify the library’s original building with its additions and bring it up to code.   MKA tailored the structural solutions to the specific wings of the building. In the original historic reading room, steel-braced frames were designed and installed within existing cavities, completely hidden from view. Most of these strengthening elements were unobtrusive, and sometimes hidden, to improve performance without compromising the library’s historic features. The techniques used reduced the need for intrusive structural additions by 50% and cut costs by 30% compared to more traditional options.