LocationWhittier, CA
Area48,500 s.f.
Market SectorHigher Education
Project Summary
Rio Hondo College retained the services of Westberg White Architecture to design seismic improvements and code upgrades to their former five-story concrete library tower structure. The building footprint is 1,800 s.f. of ground-floor space including a 10,200 s.f. floor area. Code upgrades were mandated due to the extent of the seismic retrofit construction. These upgrades included providing a variable air volume and air handler system with zone reheat to increase the energy efficiency and meet Title 24 Energy Code requirements. Other features of the retrofit included:
- A fire sprinkler installation throughout the five-story
- New enlarged restrooms that meet current code requirements
- A designated “area of refuge”
- Exit corridors and staircases
- A fire access road and two fire hydrants for emergencies