William R. Thorsen House

Client – California Sigma Phi Society

Location – Berkeley, CA
Architect – Thomas Saxby Architect

Murphy Burr Curry provided structural engineering services for inspection and design consulting to repair damage to the existing Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) at the historic Willam R. Thorsen House, originally constructed in 1908, designed by Greene and Greene, and owned by the California Sigma Phi Society, in Berkeley, California. The inspection of the existing EEE included wood and/or steel balconies, decks, exterior stairways, walkways, and railings as part of compliance with the City of Berkeley E3 program. Following the EEE inspection, deterioration caused by rot and insect damage was found at four original timber posts supporting two stories above the building’s covered walkway. Murphy Burr Curry worked closely with the design team to develop structural connections and repairs to the columns while maintaining the historic nature of the original design.