You know where you want to be the next time a Big One comes? The Skidmore, Owings & Merrill-designed state building in San Francisco’s Civic Center.
Why? Because it’s resting on 288 eight-foot hydraulic seismic dampers. Like this one:
You see, they’ve helpfully cut a hole in the wall just to show you one. It looks at first as if it’s some kind of sculptured art. Read the sign for details:
So when the big shake comes, you won’t feel a thing. Hurray!
Tags: 350 McAllister, 455 Golden Gate, california, civic center, dampers, Earl Warren Building, earthquake, Hiram W. Johnson Building, hydraulic, quake, San Francisco, seismic, state building, supreme court
