DESIGN OF A 12-STORY “VERDIGRIS VIEW” HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA

Abstract

This report summarizes the efforts and progress of our team throughout the Capstone I project. After brainstorming potential ideas, we decided to focus on the development of a high-rise hotel. The project was divided into four major areas of civil engineering with the following weight distribution: Structural, Architectural & Materials - 40%, Geotechnical Engineering - 35%, Construction Management - 10%, and Environmental Engineering - 15%. Based on this division, a 12-storey residential building with a basement was designed, located in a high seismic zone—Los Angeles, California. Once we obtained a soil investigation report, our final project scope was defined as: "Design of a High-Rise Residential Building in Los Angeles, California, USA." The main challenge of the project was identifying the necessary design parameters and following the correct procedures to achieve a professional result. Our approach combined self-study, literature review, and guidance from faculty mentors. Each team member focused on specific project areas and worked towards clear objectives through independent research. Following this, we moved into the design planning phase. By applying knowledge from our academic courses, consulting secondary sources, and using our own engineering judgment, we created a working outline for the design process. With additional mentor support, we developed our own optimized approach rather than following a fixed template. We encountered various challenges during the project, including limited expertise in some technical areas and difficulties in finding specific information. However, these challenges did not hinder the overall outcome. We managed to meet most of our objectives, and the current Capstone design is considered well-developed.