Code Download | Understanding Unreinforced Masonry (URM): Navigating Codes, Regulations, Cost and Incentives
This is the first session in the 2025 Code Download Series presented by AIA Seattle’s Code Committee.
More than one thousand Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in Seattle are vulnerable to damage or collapse during an earthquake if not seismically retrofitted. This two-part session will delve into the evolving landscape of URM seismic retrofit requirements, with a Seattle focus, covering the recent adoption Seattle’s code for recognition of URM retrofits, the new alternate method for retrofit, and updates to the city’s official URM database. On the second day, the speakers will discuss the costs associated with (Seattle) compliant retrofit scopes of work, existing incentives that may be held reduce these costs, and updates on the city of Seattle’s process to develop additional incentives.
Join us online on March 25 and March 26, 2025 (12-2pm each day) for Code Download | Understanding Unreinforced Masonry (URM): Navigating Codes, Regulations, Cost and Incentives (4 LU/HSW). Register below and look for information regarding online event access in your confirmation email.
This is a 2-day program. Participants must attend the live webinars both days in order to receive continuing education credit or a certificate of completion. No partial credit will be awarded. All registration and credit questions can be directed to Andrea Aguilera.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 12:00 – 2:00pm PT | Zoom Webinar
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 12:00 – 2:00pm PT | Zoom Webinar
*All sessions and speakers subject to change.
COST
Includes continuing education credit (4 LU/HSW)
$104.00 $120.00 AIA Member/Corporate Allied Partner (CAP)/Allied Member
$104.00 $120.00 Government
$52.00 $60.00 Associate Member
$204.00 $235.00 Non-Member
FREE Student/Emeritus
Registration has closed
Early Bird Deadline: Monday, March 17, 2025. After this time, the price increases 15%.
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 24, 5:00pm PT.
Reduced rate options are available! Please submit the Continuing Education Scholarship / Reduced Rate Request form via email by Monday, March 17, 5:00PM PT.
Learn more about our program pricing, the member ticket rate, and other benefits associated with membership. Explore the other major education programs we offer.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Amanda Hertzfeld, URM Program Manager, City of Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections | Amanda Hertzfeld is the URM Program Manager at the City of Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. She is responsible for the identification and development of supportive resources for URM building owners and the policy development for future mandatory retrofit requirements. Amanda will speak to resources currently in development and to future compliance goals.
Andrew Ellis, Design Manager, GLY Construction | Andrew spent the first 14 years of his career practicing architecture where he focused on design for residential, commercial, and public works projects before joining GLY in 2018. As a Design Manager, Andrew acts as a liaison between the design and construction teams to ensure that the project’s design goals are successfully communicated and executed. As Co-Chair of AIA WA’s Historic Resources Committee [HRC] and Chair of its URM Committee, he understands the challenges of retrofitting historic structures and balancing life-safety, cost, and preservation goals.
Bryan Zagers, Principal, Coughlin Porter Lundeen | Bryan is one of Coughlin Porter Lundeen’s foremost experts in seismic retrofits, providing flexible, creative, and visionary designs for buildings to meet seismic performance goals. He brings a collaborative approach to design that consistently delivers thoughtful structural solutions that address an owner’s goals, budget, and schedule requirements. He contributes to Seattle’s seismic code development as chair of the SEAW State Existing Buildings Committee. He also assisted the city’s technical staff with updating the draft URM Ordinance. This hand-in-hand work fosters relationships based on trust and a common goal to develop practical standards that improve the city’s resiliency. Bryan remains deeply involved with historic preservation, having partnered with Historic Seattle on several heroic efforts to preserve and adapt historic buildings, and is a Washington Trust for Historic Preservation board member.
Derek Ohlgren, URM Program Lead Engineer at the City of Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections | Derek Ohlgren is the URM Program Lead Engineer at the City of Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. He specializes in seismic evaluation and retrofitting of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings and plays a key role in shaping policies for safer structures under the Seattle Existing Building Code. Derek will discuss the new URM seismic retrofit regulations, focusing on key changes and their impact on building owners, designers, and the community.
Ellen Mirro, AIA, NCARB, Principal, Studio TJP | Ellen Mirro is a partner in Studio TJP, Architects and Modern Preservationists. With a bachelor’s degree in Art History from UCSC and a Master’s degree in Architecture from UW, she works as an Historic Architect and Architectural Historian. Ellen specializes in long term architectural stewardship projects and consulting in preservation with other architectural teams and building owners. One of her on-going projects is the phased rehabilitation of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia’s National Register office property on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Ellen is a member of the Society of Architectural Historians, the Association of Preservation Technology, The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and is the former co-chair of AIAWA Historic Resources Policy Committee (2023-2024).
Francesca Renouard, PE, SE, Associate Principal, Swenson Say Faget | Francesca is a structural engineer with over a decade of experience providing efficient and effective structural retrofit solutions. With a passion for historic preservation and adaptive reuse, she is an integral leader of the SSF Retrofit Team. She is actively involved with Historic Seattle, the King County Landmarks Commission, the City of Seattle’s URM Ordinance Task Force, and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. Francesca helped write the technical standard for the Alternate Method of URM Retrofit that was recently published as a part of the 2021 Seattle Existing Building Code. Some of her recent URM retrofit projects in Seattle include the Green Lake and University Carnegie branches of the Seattle Public Library, the Metropole Building, Hubbard’s Corner, and 419 Occidental (Railspur), amongst others. Francesca was named as a member of Building Design + Constructions 40 under 40 class of 2023 in recognition of her leadership in the AEC industry.
Jeronimo Roldan, AIA Intl Assc. | Jeronimo Roldan (Intl. Assc. AIA) is the Washington State Historical Architect at the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, where he manages federal and state-level regulatory review and financial incentive programs, including the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit. He guides and supports applicants across Washington’s diverse communities through the review process to help ensure successful applications that meet preservation standards. These projects often include the rehabilitation of existing affordable housing, adaptive reuse of commercial and industrial buildings for new housing, and seismic retrofitting of unreinforced masonry structures.
Robin Murphy, Architect, Principal JMA, co-owner of the Maud Building | As a distinguished and published professional, Robin Murphy holds memberships in prominent organizations such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and has been a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) since 2006. With over three decades of experience in architectural design and firm management, Robin’s leadership has led to the successful completion of an extensive range of projects. Including industrial facilities, self-storage, residential developments, high-rise and mid-rise structures, commercial spaces, and institutional buildings.
*All sessions and speakers subject to change.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Describe the trajectory and regulatory framework surrounding URM seismic retrofitting in Seattle.
- Summarize the technical requirements of Seattle’s Alternate Method of Retrofit and Substantial Alterations.
- Describe various technical approaches to seismic retrofits and evaluate them based on cost and potential incentives.
- Apply retrofit methodologies to ensure seismic safety while preserving architectural integrity.
ACCESSIBILITY
- This program will be conducted via Zoom Webinar, with closed captioning enabled. Visit the Zoom Accessibility Guide to learn more about leveraging accessible features on Zoom.
- All sessions will be recorded for later viewing and will be accessible to registered attendees for up to a year after the session concludes.
- Presenter files and other program materials (as applicable) will be available on the password-protected attendee resources page at least 1-2 business days before the session begins. The password will be sent in follow-up email communications to all registered attendees.
- We encourage speakers to create accessible presentations to ensure attendees can fully engage with the session content.
If you have access needs for this program, please note them in your registration form or contact Senior Programs Coordinator, Andrea Aguilera. You can reach Andrea via email at Andreaa@aiaseattle.org or via phone at 206-957-1909. Please reach out by March 17. We will do our best to support access needs conveyed after this date.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2025 CODE SERIES SPONSORS
Interior Tech | BetterBricks | Malsam Tsang Structural Engineering | Windows, Doors & More
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CODE COMMITTEE
Special thanks to the Code Committee for planning this session and the entire Code Download series!
CODE COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
Ana Parke AIA
Che Fortaleza AIA
QUESTIONS?
Program, Registration, or Credit Questions?
Contact Andrea Aguilera, Senior Programs Coordinator at AIA Seattle
Sponsorship Questions?
Contact Melissa K Neher, Executive Director at AIA Seattle
