Cornerstone Earth Group
Provided Geotechnical, Environmental and Construction Services for SCU Sobrato Campus of Discovery and Innovation


Santa Clara University retained Cornerstone Earth Group, Inc. to provide geotechnical, environmental, and construction services for the Sobrato Campus of Discovery and Innovation. The main structure was built on the existing engineering quad, and required demolition of the four engineering buildings bordering the quad. Cornerstone's contributions to the project included geotechnical and environmental consulting, environmental and construction services observation, and geotechnical laboratory testing services.

The campus was designed to provide a flexible environment for students of both the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Engineering. The 270,000 square foot main building, consisting of classrooms, on-site research labs, and offices, serves as a hub of collaboration between students studying the fields of neuroscience, bioengineering, sustainability, and environmental science. The building is intended to enable cross-disciplinary projects, teaching, and research. The main structure, now the largest on campus, features 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and has capacity to hold over 1,400 seats for students and faculty.


Cornerstone’s Value-Added Benefits to SCU's Sobrato Campus of Discovery and Innovation Include:

  • Preparation and implementation of a soil management plan during construction

  • Ground Improvement Test Arrays to confirm spacing of ground improvement elements

  • Increased bearing capacity and reduced footing size with ground improvement

  • Reduced number of ground improvement elements where seismic settlements were less significant

  • Cost-effective field solutions (e.g. stabilization fabric, lime treatment, etc.) during construction to address construction challenges, including mitigation of unstable pavement subgrades, shallow ground water, and saturated soils 

For this development, as on all projects Cornerstone undertakes, the client's needs were met by a team of professionals that consistently brought innovative and practical engineering solutions to whatever challenges arose. We are detail-oriented and thorough; our solutions are implemented with a practical, real-world approach and are fully dedicated to providing value-added and responsive consulting services. For every dollar you spend on our services, our goal is to save you ten dollars in construction.


For more information, please contact:
Maura Ruffatto, Principal Engineer
or
Chris Heiny, Principal Geologist



Cornerstone Earth Group integrates geotechnical engineering, environmental services, engineering geology, and construction services into a single, client-focused team to facilitate cost-effective site selection, project design, and site development. Our technical capabilities and construction and remediation expertise allow us to develop creative yet practical solutions to meet your project requirements. 
 
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408.245.4600 

1220 Oakland Boulevard Suite 220, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925.988.9500