The Jolly Giant Commons multi-purpose facility serves the resident student community of California State University’s (CSU) Humboldt campus. The CSU system retained Interactive Resources, Inc. to perform a seismic evaluation of the Commons and the bridges that link it to the surrounding residence halls. This 34,500 sf enclosed space includes a food service facility, housing and dining offices, maintenance shops, and student recreation facilities.

Interactive Resources, Inc.’ structural engineers determined that the building and bridges did not meet CSU’s seismic performance requirements and were in pressing need of retrofit. Our firm prepared construction documents for the seismic retrofit and for extensive interior and exterior renovations of the building. A major component of the building renovation was accessibility improvements, which included two exterior elevators and bridges that connect the building to the upper campus level, as well as renovations to the toilet rooms, exterior ramps, and accessible parking. Interior improvements included the expansion of the student recreation and meeting areas and to the third floor food service and dining facility. Exterior improvements included new roofs, storefront systems, canopy-covered walkways, and entrance plaza.