San Francisco VA Medical Center Seismic Upgrades

Brice Builders is the prime contractor for a $57 million seismic retrofit and complete renovation of the 30,000 square foot Building 8 at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Campus, awarded by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) San Francisco District. The construction scope includes the remediation of asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint, which involves demolishing all existing interior finishes, partitions, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems.

VAMC Building 8 is a historic structure built in 1933 and is one of the original buildings on the campus. Given its historic nature, the seismic upgrade was essential. Brice Builders commenced construction in April 2023. The project site is constrained and has limited access due to ongoing VA operations in surrounding areas and including active medical facilities.

The structural scope is complex due to the existing building lacking a continuous foundation. To address this, Brice Builders installed 146 micropiles attached to grade beams underneath the existing structure. Shear walls were installed throughout the building, with shotcrete applied to the structural wall locations. Additionally, a new structure will be built to support a “penthouse” that will house HVAC equipment, as the building has never had any indoor conditioning other than radiant heat and operable windows.

The project focuses on addressing environmental concerns, particularly regarding hazardous materials such as asbestos. This involves removing walls and floors down to the base structure. To successfully carry out this scope of work, extensive coordination will be required with stakeholders, including the USACE and Veterans Affairs end-users.

After completing the seismic structural work, Brice Builders will move forward with constructing the exterior envelope and the MEP systems. The interior work includes the installation of two new elevators and exterior stair towers to optimize interior space. This project will incorporate brand-new elements, such as windows, doors, walls, electrical systems, communication systems, security features, access control, flooring, ceilings, and lighting.