Forell/Elsesser Engineers, Inc.

San Francisco, CA

Award-winning structural and earthquake engineering firm

Services: 29
Offices: 1
Projects: 10
Leaders: 4
Size Estimate: 25-100 employees

Overview

Forell/Elsesser Engineers is a San Francisco-based structural and earthquake engineering firm with deep expertise in seismic design, seismic retrofit, and innovative structural systems for new and existing buildings. Founded in California, it serves higher education, civic, workplace, healthcare, science and technology, and sports and recreation clients. Known for pioneering use of base isolation, mass timber, buckling-restrained braced frames, and Design-Build delivery, Forell Elsesser also holds a long-standing relationship with the Architect of the Capitol and is recognized for landmark government and courthouse projects nationwide.

Size Estimate: 25-100 employees

Services

Structural Engineering

Full-service structural engineering for new construction and retrofits of all building types, with a specialty in seismic design and innovative structural systems.

New building structural design Seismic retrofit and rehabilitation Office and commercial conversions Historic building renovation and retrofit Construction administration

Earthquake Engineering

Specialized seismic analysis, design, and post-earthquake reconnaissance for buildings requiring enhanced performance levels or compliance with seismic codes and ordinances.

Seismic evaluation and assessment Post-earthquake reconnaissance Seismic strengthening and upgrade Base isolation design Non-ductile concrete consulting

Non-Ductile Concrete Services

Seismic safety screening and compliance consulting for non-ductile concrete buildings subject to mandatory retrofit ordinances, including San Francisco's Non-Ductile Concrete Ordinance.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 seismic screening Retrofit design for non-ductile concrete

Peer Review

Independent structural peer review services for projects requiring third-party technical review of seismic or structural design.

Plan Checking Services

Plan checking for local jurisdictions and the Division of the State Architect (DSA), reviewing structural drawings and calculations for code compliance.

Value Engineering

Cost and constructability optimization to provide the most efficient structural solution without compromising safety or performance.

Constructability Review

Review of structural designs for ease of construction, sequencing, and practical buildability before documents are issued for bid.

Sustainability

Embodied carbon reduction and sustainable structural design strategies, including mass timber framing and material efficiency optimization.

Mass timber structural design Embodied carbon reduction strategies Renewable energy structure support (solar, fuel cells)

Design-Build & Integrated Project Delivery

Structural engineering delivered within Design-Build and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) frameworks, enabling early collaboration with architects and contractors.

Design-Build structural engineering Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)Progressive design-build

Feasibility Studies & Cost-Benefit Analysis

Structural feasibility studies and cost/benefit analyses to evaluate new construction, retrofit, or adaptive reuse options before design commitment.

Research & Development

Applied structural research into seismic performance, innovative structural systems, and advanced engineering methods.

Industries

Education Government Commercial Sports & Recreation Research Facilities Healthcare Arts & Culture Mixed-Use Residential Historic Preservation Life Sciences Aviation Transportation

Firm type

Design-Build Structural Engineering

Project types

University Academic Buildings Community College Facilities Civic Centers and Libraries Police and Public Safety Buildings Courthouses Corporate Campuses Mass Timber Buildings Seismic Retrofits Historic Building Rehabilitation Data Centers Recreation and Sports Facilities Life Science and Laboratory Buildings

Projects

Canada College, Kinesiology & Wellness Building

Redwood City, CA | San Mateo Community College District | Academic / Higher Education

New 85,000 sq. ft. kinesiology and wellness building with two outdoor pools, gymnasium, occupied roof running track, and yoga studio. Buckling-restrained braced frames at lower floors transition to open steel moment frames above for unobstructed views. Custom long-span curved steel trusses support the occupied roof. Delivered via progressive design-build with Blach Construction and ELS Architecture.

Structural Engineering Design-Build & Integrated Project Delivery

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