People: Principals
Laurie Johnston, LEED AP
EducationB.S. Civil Engineering
University of California, Los Angeles, 1994
M.Eng. Structural Engineering
University of California, Berkeley, 1995
RegistrationCalifornia - Structural Engineer, 2000
License No. 4522
California - Civil Engineer, 1997
License No. 57348
LEED Accredited
Professional AffiliationsStructural Engineers Association of Northern California
U.S. Green Building Council
Joined the Firm:1995
ProjectsAgilent Technologies, Santa Clara Headquarters Renovation
Agilent Technologies, Santa Rosa Renovations
Hewlett-Packard Building 44-46, Seismic Upgrade
Laurie’s experience includes working on teams for the design of new buildings and evaluation of existing structures for seismic safety. She has extensive experience in seismic analysis and seismic evaluations of existing structures. Her design and evaluation experience includes a wide variety of structures such as high tech and manufacturing facilities, historic buildings, hospitals, office buildings, and transportation structures. She is a LEED accredited professional in the design of sustainable buildings.
Little Known Fact:
My passion for environmental responsibility contributes to my work and my hobbies, such as hiking and camping. I was the first Degenkolb engineer to achieve LEED accreditation and made strident efforts to help the San Francisco office go green in its move to the Russ Building.
Client or Design Philosophy:
Working collaboratively with clients in the high-tech industry to provide seismically safe structures is important to me.
Virtues:
Dependable, Earth-friendly
Vices:
Exotic vacations
Favorite Project Story:
As a young engineer, it can be nerve wracking being on a big job like the BART station at the San Francisco Airport. You are somewhat inexperienced and there are a lot of personalities involved. Add to that being a woman in this industry, and a job like that can be downright challenging. When I started working on that project, I encountered a lot of resistance from the older, male construction managers. Through my attention to detail, mentoring with senior engineers, and some strength of personality of my own, I eventually won over the attitudes of the construction managers. By the end of the job, they were finally listening to me and helping me do the job right.
Special Interests:
Traveling abroad, camping, hiking