Hayward, California

The City of Hayward, faced with building their third City Hall in their 100 year history, required the new City Hall to remain operational after the next big earthquake on the seismically active Hayward Fault, just 600 feet from the site. The New Hayward City Hall Project is the first design-build, fast-track, base-isolated building in the United States. The project was designed, built, and turned over to the City in 17 months and 26 days.

Intended to remain operational after a Richter magnitude 7.0 on the Hayward Fault, the project includes 53 Friction Pendulum™ seismic isolation bearings and 15 Hydraulic Viscous Dampers. The building movement during the maximum capable event may be up to 22.5 inches. KPFF was responsible for the design of the isolation system, structural frame, and entire cladding system which consisted of a Limestone and cast-stone facade.

1999 Meritorious Structure Award by the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations

Architect: Heller-Manus