Los Angeles City Hall

Seismic Rehabilitation

The landmark Los Angeles City Hall underwent extensive seismic upgrade and rehabilitation following the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The comprehensive project included an innovative base isolation structural underpinning with new concrete shear walls, shotcrete and steel beams.  Kaplan Chen Kaplan served as Environmental Monitor for Historic Preservation and provided supplemental Historic Preservation Consultant services to the City during the project.  As part of the work, we prepared a peer review of the construction documents, reviewed mock-ups and submittals for restoration of historic finishes and walked the site to monitor protection of historic fabric.  We also reported to FEMA and SHPO representatives and assisted in obtaining their review of uncovered conditions and approval for ongoing work.

Council Chambers and Furniture

During seismic rehabilitation of historic Los Angeles City Hall, the City Council Chambers were completely refurbished and restored.  The Council desks, originally arranged facing inward toward the Council President’s Desk, were reoriented to face the public seating area.  Kaplan Chen Kaplan designed new furniture including City Council, City Clerk’s and Council President’s desks along with TV monitor stands and speaker’s podium, compatible with the original space.  The elaborately detailed designs were generated from 3D drawings on a computer driven wood carver.  We also developed specifications and reviewed fieldwork for cleaning, painting and stone restoration.