This engineer's concerns are quakes, quality.WHEN Olive View hospital came tumbling down in the Sylmar earthquake in 1971, it made an indelible impression on Nabih Youssef's career path. The Cairo native realized that in order to be a successful engineer he would need to draw on more than the classical architectural influences of his homeland--he would need to know the latest in technological advances of his adopted country. Ultimately, Youssef relied on both skills in developing a reputation as one of the top engineers for designing mixed-use projects. Since opening its doors in 1989, Youssef & Associates has accrued ac·crue v. ac·crued, ac·cru·ing, ac·crues v.intr. 1. To come to one as a gain, addition, or increment: interest accruing in my savings account. 2. a resume of work rehabilitating and seismically retrofitting some of L.A.'s most cherished structures. That naturally led to work involving the adaptive reuse Adaptive reuse is the process of adapting old structures for new purposes. When the original use of a structure changes or is no longer required, as with older buildings from the industrial revolution, architects have the opportunity to change the primary function of the of older office buildings into mixed-use structures. His firm has a reputation for applying the latest technology available in a way that is consistent with the building's original design. That resume includes the Metro 417 building, formerly known as the Subway Terminal building The Subway Terminal Building is a Renaissance Revival building in Downtown Los Angeles located at 417 South Hill Street. It was designed by architects Schultze and Weaver and was built in 1925. . "Because of all the dements involved--the abandoned subway subway: see rapid transit. subway Underground railway system used to transport passengers within urban and suburban areas. The first subway line, 3. tunnel underneath the building, the two-story podium podium In architecture, a pedestal on a large scale. It may be any of various elements that form the base of a structure, such as the platform forming the floor and substructure of a Classical temple, a low wall supporting columns, or the structurally or decoratively and the five independent wings of the building--that project was such a unique challenge," he said. Best Engineering Firm Nabih Youssef & Associates Nabih Youssef, principal Born: Cairo, Egypt, 1944 Accomplishments: Worked on scores of mixed-use projects, including the Metro 417 building, formerly known as the Subway Terminal building. Also retrofits of L.A. City Hall and the L.A. Coliseum Coliseum: see Colosseum. . Quote: "It's easy to make a big concrete building that can withstand the dynamic forces of an earthquake. The challenge comes when you have to make that big concrete building look good." |
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