FTF Celebrates 20 Years
FTF Celebrates 20 Years!
FTF Engineering celebrates 20 years of creative solutions. With offices in seismically challenged San Francisco and San Luis Obispo, we focus on the safety, technical, and environmental aspects of construction as structural engineers. Collaborating with top architects and general contractors, we work on residential, commercial, hospitality, and historic projects in the private and public sectors. What does FTF stand for? Serving clients from “Foundation To Finish” with a company culture of “Family, Team, and Fun.”
Courtyard 3 Connector, San Francisco International Airport: Architect, HOK Group, Inc; General Contractor, Hensel-Phelps; Photographer, Bruce Damonte
Now Open
Element Hotel: FTF Collaborates with HKS Architects and Huff Construction Company
The Element Hotel by Westin in San Jose, CA, was built from the ground up in about 26 months, including the hiatus caused by the shelter-in-place orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the more obvious choice for this five-story, 175-room hotel was a wood-over-concrete podium, FTF’s team tested options. It became clear that the substantial weight contributed to an expensive foundation, and the long clear spans in the first story were not necessary. The team then created a design incorporating stacked wood with long-span steel framing in the lobby. Several foundation options were considered with soil improvement and shallow foundations, thus saving $1m over traditional deep foundations on a $30m project.
Architect, HKS Architects; General Contractor, Huff Construction Company; Photo, Huff Construction Company
On the Air
The Modern Architect Radio Show + Podcast: Featuring Randy Collins
FTF Engineering’s Founder and Principal, Randy Collins, sat down with host Tom Dioro of The Modern Architect to discuss the unique world of structural engineering. Tom is an architect aficionado who has interviewed such industry luminaries as Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig, Clark Manus of Heller Manus Architects, and the late Authur Gensler. In this episode, he learns about Randy’s journey to becoming a structural engineer, what it was like starting his firm just five years out of college, and the element of risk in owning a business. But was it his childhood dream to be a train engineer?
In the News
FTF Engineering Featured in Marin Magazine:
A Mid-Century Golf Clubhouse on Vineyard Knolls is Reimagined With Nature in Mind
Architect — Karin Payson architecture + design
General Contractor — Plath & Co.
Interior Designer — Erin King Interiors
Text — Theresa Gonzalez
Photographer — Mikiko Kikuyama
FTF Engineering Featured in California Home + Design Magazine:
A New Landing: Aleck Wilson Architects shapes a modern landing for a couple of empty nesters atop a San Carlos canyon
Architect — AWA
General Contractor — RJ Campi Construction Inc.
Landscape Architect — Randy Thueme Design
Text — Lindsey Shook
Photographer — Matthew Millman
We’re Hiring!
Family, Team, and Fun: Join FTF
FTF is hiring! We are looking for a structural engineer to join our talented, diverse team. FTF has been back in the office ever since May 2021. We value in-person collaboration and embarking on adventures outside the office together. In a throwback photo, we see team members on a structural tour of the César Pelli-designed Sales Force Tower with John Rottman of Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company.
To become a part of the San Francisco Bay Area and San Luis Obispo’s evolving built landscapes, visit our Careers page to learn more about our open positions.