BKF Engineers provided utility infrastructure investigation and coordination, fire access analysis, and civil engineering support for the Grimes Engineering Center project at the University of California, Berkeley. During the Detailed Project Program (DPP) phase, BKF evaluated existing site conditions, identified utility constraints, and supported the integration of new utility services within a complex campus environment.
During design and construction, the project transformed the former Bechtel Engineering Center through a renovation and expansion that created the new Grimes Engineering Center, a modern hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and student engagement. Located within a dense campus setting, the project required careful coordination with existing utility systems including a major utility corridor located beneath the structure, while maintaining and improving vehicular/pedestrian circulation. Creative solutions for drainage and stormwater treatment utilized the frame of the existing podium planter boxes to capture and treat stormwater.
Working closely with the design team, BKF helped identify opportunities to connect new services while protecting critical campus infrastructure and maintaining continuity with existing campus operations.
