Innovation at Degenkolb

Most Recent Sustainability Innovation Exploration

At Degenkolb, we proactively develop new solutions and strategies to meet evolving client needs and drive progress.

Degenkolb Industry Firsts

Degenkolb routinely supports the development of first time uses and development of structural systems. We are experimental and keep our eyes towards academic development of the future systems. Through more than 85 years of earthquake studies around the world, we bring to the Western United States technology and principles implemented around the world for earthquake safety.

1960
Conceived the use of top-down below grade wall construction process used in major infrastructure projects since the 1960s.

One California St.

1978
Namesake, Henry Degenkolb, helped develop the conceptual studies for the eccentric braced frame.

Henry Degenkolb examining structural damage to a building.

2002
Applied the Japanese buckling restrained braced frame system on a seismic retrofit for the first time in the US.

Silicon Valley Technology Headquarters

2006
Designed the first LEED Gold hospital in the Western US in Oregon.

Providence Newberg Medical Center

2009
Used Modal Pushover Analysis for the first time outside of academic research.

UCSF, Medical Science Building, Seismic Retrofit

2011
Designed a ConXtech structural system for the first time in an institutional setting.

Stanford University, William H. Neukom Law Building

2016
Designed and built the first tsunami vertical evacuation structure in the US.

Ocosta Elementary School in Westport, Washington

2018
Designed first OSHPD SPC4D-approved retrofit in California.

Loma Linda University Medical Center, Seismic upgrade of the 1964 steam plant

2019
Implemented viscous wall damper system in the United States (US) for the first time in a $2B hospital, permitted through OSHPD, the strictest seismic requirements in the state.

CPMC Van Ness & Geary Campus, San Francisco

2021
Implemented the first use of the DampTech Friction dampers in the US.

400-430 California Street, San Francisco

Enhancing Project Outcomes

Tool Development

Degenkolb’s in-house applied technology team identifies, adopts, develops, and implements technologies to enhance the firm’s services and operations. Since it’s creation in 2023, ATT has launched more than 10 engineering tool sets to facilitate rapid concept and analysis development.

Product Alignment

Degenkolb Engineers has become a partner for CALMFLOOR. CALMFLOOR is a patented active vibration control device that can be easily installed on vibration problematic floors. It can be installed in all types of building floors and could potentially reduce vibration by 75-90% down to 2000 mips (VC-A).

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