“Their quality of work and customer service is excellent.”
Mid-Rise Plans & Engineering • Orange County
Structural plans for mid-rise buildings
Plan a four- to six-story project with early framing options, then coordinated structural drawings and calculations for permit review.
California-licensed Professional Engineers
Service scope
Resolve podiums, transfers, grids, and openings before permit
The work responds to story count, occupancy, spans, structural materials, site information, and reviewing agency.
- Compare structural systems and document the selected structural assumptions
- Design podium, transfer, cold-formed steel, gravity, and seismic systems as applicable
- Design foundations, diaphragms, framing, collectors, and connections
- Resolve grids, shafts, stairs, openings, exterior systems, and building services
Project deliverables
Move forward with one documented structural direction
The proposal identifies whether the current phase needs a system study, permit design, or construction support.
- Structural assumptions and selected system direction
- Foundation, podium, framing, wind or earthquake-resisting system, and connection drawings
- Supporting gravity, wind, and seismic calculations
- Stamped permit documents, plan-check responses, or field revisions when included
A clear path forward
Set the system, resolve major conflicts, then document it
- 01Step Step 01
Establish the project criteria
Share the site, survey and geotechnical information when available, architectural set, uses, heights, spans, and development phase.
- 02Step Step 02
Choose and coordinate the system
NBE develops the structural approach and resolves major conflicts with the design team.
- 03Step Step 03
Prepare the agreed package
Plans and calculations advance through jurisdiction review and construction support according to the agreed scope.
Keep major structural decisions from spreading conflicts through the plans
Agree on the structural basis early enough for the rest of the design team to use it.
- Protect unit and parking layouts
- Resolve vertical openings and transfer conditions early
- Keep one structural basis through permit review
What clients say
“They were very responsive, helped me salvage what I could from the previous firm, and provided the expertise and knowledge needed to finish the job quickly and efficiently.”
Frequently asked questions
What does NBE mean by a mid-rise building?+
This service focuses on 4 to 6 story building projects, including designs that may use podium construction or cold-formed steel.
When should the structural team join the project?+
Early involvement is useful when grids, spans, podium transitions, unit layouts, openings, and structural systems are still being evaluated.
Do you provide both plans and calculations?+
Structural drawings and supporting calculations can be included in the agreed engineering scope for permit and construction use.
Can you coordinate with our architect and other consultants?+
Yes. Mid-rise structural work normally requires active coordination with architecture, civil and geotechnical inputs, and MEP systems.
What decisions should be resolved before permit drawings advance?+
Teams benefit from agreement on grids, spans, floor and roof systems, lateral-system locations, podium or transfer conditions, shafts, stairs, large openings, facade support, and major equipment loads. NBE identifies the structural interfaces that need project-team decisions.
What information is needed for a project review?+
Send the site and jurisdiction, architectural plans, anticipated uses and story count, available survey or geotechnical information, schedule, and current design questions.
Choose the next structural decision for your mid-rise project
Tell us what you’re considering. We’ll follow up to discuss your project and the next steps.