GEODesign provided geotechnical engineering and support of excavation (SOE) design services for renovation of the La MaMa Theatre. The 4-story landmarked building has housed the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club since 1969. We delivered efficient and cost-effective geotechnical solutions for an extensive and complicated renovation of the nearly 150-year-old building.
The Solutions Unearthed
- We performed test borings and test pits inside the existing building.
- We provided spread footing recommendations to support the new building loads and eliminated the need for soil tiedown anchors.
- The contractor’s engineer designed an SOE system that included extensive underpinning of large columns supporting the building façade and the installation of many dowels connecting the existing stone masonry walls and a new mat foundation. We worked with the project team to refine the foundation design and eliminate the dowels and underpinning. This significantly reduced the risk of damage to the landmarked façade and the project cost.
Client: La MaMa Theatre
