Allana Buick & Bers, Inc. (ABBAE) was retained by Santa Clara University (SCU) to provide forensic investigation and construction management services for exterior cladding issues occurring at Bannan Hall on the SCU campus.

Bannan Hall was completed in 1991. The three-story, 90,000 SF steel-frame building contains SCU’s civil and mechanical engineering schools. ABBAE proposed a Design-Build delivery method to SCU which would allow for the repair work to be completed in the short, three-month summer break window. Bannan Hall was closed for the summer but the adjacent law school building remained open for classes.

Bannan Hall was experiencing a significant cracking problem with the EIFS and stucco exterior, as well as sealant and railing failures throughout the buildng. After completing the investigation, it was determined the cracking was caused by the lack of stiffness in the original design of light-gauge metal-studded walls. ABBAE provided programming and design documents to remedy these issues. Close attention to the project schedule was required in order to expedite completion.

Working on an occupied campus, made it necessary for the contractors to keep noise to a minimum while implementing efficient methods of construction to meet the accelerated timeline. The $1 million repair project was completed over the summer and was ready before the fall semester began.