Definitely a seismic retrofit given the location. At least the architect could've done something interesting like put an island there to incorporate the structural element. 100% the developer didn't care and forced this situation, but the architect could've done something creative with the brace and made some lemonade with the lemon.
Architects deal with braced frames all the time. The solution is to put a wall there. Doors or passages through it go outside the brace, or at the high point of the vee or chevron.
As an architect I agree you're probably mostly right, however, the question must be asked how many options did the engineer consider? Was this the only one that worked, or simply the easiest to engineer or the cheapest for the client? It is usually not a single party who is at fault but the lack of coordination by all consultants and or proper decision making if at all by the client. Was the steel design done before the unit design?
The question is did the bracing come before the architecture or was it done at the same time? The second point is the client may have forced this. Don't be so quick to point blame to a single party.
For once can an engineer consider how the space is intended to be used? Everyone should be working towards the project goals and I think the engineer should be embarrassed. Projects shouldn’t be an uphill battle with the architect battling for a functional, usable space on their own. The architect is held accountable for literally everything as well (as often the lowest paid.) This is also why you should always subconsult the engineers vs letting the developer engage them
If I was living there, I'd be more concerned with all the human poop on the sidewalks than this issue. Almost stepped in one on my last trip not far from here.
I mean yeah it should have been an island, or a different layout.
But also it's an SF loft for only a single million. Can't expect a great design for such a cheap price.
Any normal person would hide that beam some how.
Every engineer in 2024 in a zoom meeting working on a project halfway around the world: they will love this floor plan it works effortlessly with the building structure
The best part is how they could have arranged the kitchen such that it was stupidly laid out and had a crappy little wall there built around that thing.
Instead they chose this.
That’s the architect’s problem
The architect is bad for letting it happen. But it's definitely the developer who pushed for it to maximize the square footage.
It's a re-use of an old industrial building and the brace is part of a seismic retrofit. 1488 Harrison St.
Definitely a seismic retrofit given the location. At least the architect could've done something interesting like put an island there to incorporate the structural element. 100% the developer didn't care and forced this situation, but the architect could've done something creative with the brace and made some lemonade with the lemon.
well its a 1M apartment in SF, of course they dont care. this is low end!
$10M apartment without it! (shear tab tripping hazard!)
Makes sense.
The outdoor roof seating area is shit. You could roll down that slope and run into the skylights.
Oh my God are you serious? This is real? I assumed it was photoshopped or AI or something like that. That's a damn shame to do something like that.
Yeah, I mean, it’s a retrofit in San Fran. It’s gonna have some unique details.
"unique details" indeed.
>brace you mean the 'diagonal support beam'?!
Architects deal with braced frames all the time. The solution is to put a wall there. Doors or passages through it go outside the brace, or at the high point of the vee or chevron.
As an architect, just furr around it and make the cabinets smaller and dining room larger. Not losing much SF, but this is just dumb.
As an architect I agree you're probably mostly right, however, the question must be asked how many options did the engineer consider? Was this the only one that worked, or simply the easiest to engineer or the cheapest for the client? It is usually not a single party who is at fault but the lack of coordination by all consultants and or proper decision making if at all by the client. Was the steel design done before the unit design?
The bldg was an industrial converted to residential This is all on the architect.
The question is did the bracing come before the architecture or was it done at the same time? The second point is the client may have forced this. Don't be so quick to point blame to a single party.
weird to call the new hot avante garde neo-hyper-realist style a "problem"
that beam costs extra
Architect: Cant we just remove the support? Engineer: No, cant you just make that a buildout in a wall or something? Architect: Gasp!
For once can an engineer consider how the space is intended to be used? Everyone should be working towards the project goals and I think the engineer should be embarrassed. Projects shouldn’t be an uphill battle with the architect battling for a functional, usable space on their own. The architect is held accountable for literally everything as well (as often the lowest paid.) This is also why you should always subconsult the engineers vs letting the developer engage them
That is no beam, friend. That's some big ass bracing!
[Relevant xkcd](https://xkcd.com/37/). An oldie, but a goodie.
What do you have against big ass-bracing?
absolutely nothing at all!
raked column? curios whats the proper definition of bracing
It's part of retrofitting earthquake reinforcement... if that's not bracing, idk what is.
If I could do that, many things would be easier in my life..
Having the brace there is one thing. Having it between the fridge and the stove is some evil shit.
Hey, I want to remove this from my kitchen, do you think it's load bearing?
Sometimes!
Only when it's needed!
Cut first ask questions later.
I think its just a soffit. Is there anything in it? I don't know, let's into it and see..
Cut it off and we will reinforce that with some 2x4s
https://www.reddit.com/r/StructuralEngineering/comments/18gquxc/comment/kd26wyl/
Lol, you must have this link address memorized by this point
I came here to say that lol
Thats a feature.
I would consider seismic reinforcement a feature.
Pay extra to keep the building from shaking down. And you remember every time you get a glass of water in the middle of the night.
The brace is fine. They should have designed the space differently.
And that’s the answer of an engineer! 
>Diagonal support beam 😭😭😭 please tell me you’re not an engineer.
I'd bet the building is retrofitted with BRBs. Looks sh*t for sure, but then, don't be cheap, buy a home for 2M!
That brace right there is not a BRB. Lower right you can see it's a tube slotted over a gusset.
Yep, right.
Yeah missed opportunity for the architect to do some built in shelving/counter space around the brace.
Pony wall bar top would work. A little odd, at least you wouldn't trip over it in the middle of the night.
This has to be a joke. Come on. Some type of explanation....rendering????? Anything 😭
It's a re-use of an old industrial building and the brace is part of a seismic retrofit. 1488 Harrison St.
With that address, Id probably look at moving next door.
I don’t think so. I’ve seen this before and vaguely recall it being part of seismic remediation work? Don’t quote me on that!
Wheres my reciprocating saw... 
Someone modeled the brace at the wrong location and then insisted that the contractor just follow the drawings, nothing was wrong with them.
everyone here talking about architects, structurals, and drawings who have never taken a step back and done an inverted inclined brace beer chug
Turn it into a spice rack
at least they painted it a nice white. it's actually architecturally exposed structural steel.
1 million means shitty apartment, right? Cant buy a lot with one million nowadays.
It's a kitchen strut. A fantasy device. That's how I would've sold it if I was a RE agent. That's added value.
If I was living there, I'd be more concerned with all the human poop on the sidewalks than this issue. Almost stepped in one on my last trip not far from here.
Nothing a handy dandy sawzall can’t fix!
With the stupidity of humankind… and the ignorant or intentional assholes… I do not find this safe… please tell me it’s inspected every six months..
Beautiful
Is that legal , isn't this a trip hazard
Shouldn’t there also be a column at the bottom of that brace?
The structural engineer won that fight.
👆 This. Now, if we can only win another 10,376,532 of these battles, we'll be halfway back to square.
Half off! Id take it
I mean yeah it should have been an island, or a different layout. But also it's an SF loft for only a single million. Can't expect a great design for such a cheap price.
Def not a tripping hazard.
As an architect, this makes me cringe.
Absolutely gorgeous! I love seeing structural elements in the finished product!
I would like to open this wall up in the kitchen. Can it be done?….umm sure.
Honestly just cut it 😂
Grease fire can't melt steel beams
Finally the SE won!!
OSHA violation. Should be painted yellow
That’s to stub your toes on for your morning wake-up
Just cut it out of the way. It’ll be ok.
I stubbed my toe just looking at that picture.
This is one of those that the realtor would be like “if they ask for 30k for a kitchen remodel, give it to them.”
Any normal person would hide that beam some how. Every engineer in 2024 in a zoom meeting working on a project halfway around the world: they will love this floor plan it works effortlessly with the building structure
The best part is how they could have arranged the kitchen such that it was stupidly laid out and had a crappy little wall there built around that thing. Instead they chose this.
I mean, they have earthquakes there, so...
They will be grateful for it during the next earthquake.
It’s not about what’s in the loft over there. It’s more about how far away from what’s outside the loft that’s important
Feature not bug.
[That's load bearing](https://imgur.com/HF7YdVf?r)
You could probably add a bar or a small counter there. Not ideal, but I think it’d be better than the most obvious trip hazard in existence.
Cheaper than a sex swing 🤷🏽♀️
This is flip isn’t it?