UC Berkeley Grimes Center Features Visible Earthquake Protection

The UC Berkeley Grimes Engineering Center, located a quarter-mile from a highly active fault in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been equipped with a new seismic-responsive structural system designed by the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). This innovative system, which is capable of withstanding major earthquakes, is intentionally made visible on the building's exterior. The design was recognized as an architectural design winner in the 2026 Innovation by Design Awards.

The structural system comprises steel tension rods arranged diagonally around the building's perimeter. A key component of this system is a 4-foot section near the top of each rod, which is spliced with a cluster of cables. These cables are fabricated from a shape-memory alloy, a highly flexible compound frequently utilized in NASA spacecraft. This material possesses the unique property of being able to bend significantly under extreme stress, such as that experienced during an earthquake, and then return to its original straight configuration once the stress is removed.

David Shook, a senior associate principal at SOM and a key developer of the shape-memory alloy system, described its function metaphorically, comparing it to a rubber band that can stretch and then retract. This visible integration of advanced engineering into the building's aesthetic highlights a departure from traditional concealed seismic reinforcement. The Grimes Engineering Center's completion in April 2025 marked the culmination of this project, which had an estimated cost of $110 million. The building's proximity to seismic hazards, specifically the Hayward Fault, one of the most active in California, underscores the critical importance of its advanced structural design. The choice to display the seismic system openly also serves an educational purpose, demonstrating cutting-edge earthquake-resistant technology to students, faculty, and the public.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a globally recognized architecture and engineering firm known for its large-scale and innovative projects, including the Burj Khalifa and the One World Trade Center. Their involvement in the Grimes Engineering Center project signifies a commitment to integrating advanced materials and engineering solutions into architectural design. The use of shape-memory alloys in structural engineering represents a significant advancement, offering enhanced resilience and adaptability in the face of seismic events. This application at UC Berkeley demonstrates the practical implementation of such technologies in critical infrastructure, aiming to improve safety and longevity in earthquake-prone regions. The $110 million investment reflects the university's dedication to ensuring the safety and functionality of its academic facilities in a seismically active zone.