Exploration at Degenkolb

Resilience engineering is part of everything we do.  A couple of case studies from our archives discuss the importance of preparing for community reslience.

80 Years of Excellence: Earthquake Reconnaissance, A Passion, and A Business Practice

Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Tsunami Evacuation Tower, Tokeland, Washington

The Nisqually Earthquake 20 Years Later

Degenkolb’s has developed an AI framework for use by all employees with the goals of

• Deliver projects faster and more efficiently
• Attract and retain top-tier talent and clients who want to work with forward thinking teams

In order to achieve these goals the firm will focus on tools and development in three areas including:

• Design optimization: Speed and iteration early in the project design
• Internal knowledge management: Faster decision making through efficient knowledge transfer and on-boarding
• Speed of delivery: Reducing documentation bottlenecks and accelerating project handoffs

Effective 2026

The 2025 California Building Code will have impacts across architecture, engineering, and construction. Key elements of the code, to be release in mid-2025 improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and updates CALGreen regulations.

Patent on concrete retrofit device

Degenkolb filed a patent application for a seismic wall device in 2024. There are several seismic wall systems specified today that could benefit from a replaceable seismic fuse which offers ductility and seismic energy dissipation. Recent building code provisions for concrete walls have become more stringent, requiring steel reinforcement levels that can be prohibitive from both cost and constructability perspectives. There are currently no prequalified high-ductility systems available for CLT walls.  Degenkolb’s research and development of a marketable solution will take nearly two years to reach the market if it moves forward.

Mass Timber and Hospitals in California

In a collaboration with Swinerton and ZGF Architects, Degenkolb participated in a years long study to make mass timber available for the California hospital construction market. A proof of concept report was issued and is available for download on Swinerton’s website at https://swinerton.com/mass-timber-hospital-the-future-of-healthcare/#form