Fine Arts Building - Berkeley, CA

Geotechnical Investigation (2002)

Construction Observation and Testing (2003)

AKA conducted geotechnical investigations and provided geotechnical engineering services during construction of the Fine Arts building in downtown Berkeley. Completed in 2004, the Fine Arts building includes 100 apartment units over 12,000 square feet of commercial space and a 55-space parking garage. A notable feature of the design is the use of mechanically-assisted "stacked" parking; this approach involves the raising and lowering of vehicles within concrete "pits" located within the parking stall areas. Our investigations included a detailed review of local geotechnical and historic information and utilized selective test borings to supplement the available existing data. AKA also provided comprehensive geotechnical observation and testing services and provided consultation to resolve onsite geotechnical issues.

1321-1331 8th Street - Berkeley, CA

Geotechnical Investigation (2004)

Construction Observation and Testing (2005)

AKA performed a geotechnical investigation and provided construction phase geotechnical services for a new urban infill project within a combined residential/industrial area of West Berkeley. The 8th Street project included construction of a new two-story multi-use building, grading and paving of a surface parking lot, and retrofitting of an adjacent existing warehouse building. AKA's geotechnical investigation included drilling borings, conducting laboratory tests, and providing recommendations for the mitigation of onsite expansive soils. The site is within an official State of California zone for earthquake-induced liquefaction, and our investigation included an evaluation of liquefaction potential and effects conducted in accordance with State guidelines. The results of our evaluations showed that liquefaction was not a significant concern at this site and the project was approved with the concurrence of the City's technical reviewer.

Bachenheimer Building - Berkeley, CA

Geotechnical Investigation (2001)

Construction Observation and Testing (2003)

AKA conducted a geotechnical investigation and provided geotechnical construction-phase services for downtown Berkeley's Bachenheimer building. Completed in 2004, Bachenheimer provides 44 apartments over 3,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space. A small garage at the rear of the structure provides parking for up to 30 cars, a feat accomplished through the use of mechanically-activated "stacked" parking. A notable aspect of the project is the irregularly-shaped mid-block urban site, which for the most part is surrounded by existing buildings. This constraint provided challenges to the field investigation program, which was performed prior to the demolition of the structure that previously occupied the site. Our investigation approach maximized the use of local geotechnical and historic information and utilized selective test borings to supplement the available existing data. AKA also provided comprehensive geotechnical observation and testing services and provided consultation to resolve onsite geotechnical issues.

Library Gardens - Berkeley, CA

Geotechnical Investigation (2001)

AKA conducted a geotechnical investigation for the Library Gardens project; a 176-unit complex next to downtown Berkeley's Central Library. The project includes four stories of apartments over ground level retail space and a below-grade parking garage. AKA's services on the project included reviewing existing geotechnical, geologic and historic information, drilling test borings, conducting geotechnical laboratory tests, and developing geotechnical recommendations for the project design.  A notable aspect of the design was the basement parking garage that extended two levels below the adjacent street grades. Groundwater in this general area rises and falls with seasonal changes in rainfall patterns and it was necessary to evaluate probable "high" groundwater elevation for use in project design. In addition, there are historic structures immediately adjacent to the project and it was necessary to evaluate likely temporary support and dewatering issues associated with the planned basement garage excavation. By compiling and reviewing local groundwater measurements from our in-house database, AKA was able to provide reliable estimates of seasonal and maximum groundwater elevations for use in the design of  temporary and permanent improvements at the site.