Hellmuth+Bicknese along with Lillie & Co. were commissioned to do a comprehensive Code Review and Life Safety Analysis of 6 of the most prominent dormitories designed by the famous Californian architect Bernard Maybeck.

The scope of work included surveying the buildings and comparing their current safety against the 2003 International Building Code (IBC) and the 2003 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Two of the dormitories were extensively renovated 10 years ago and the remaining four have only had minor work done on them. The recent adoption of the Fire Dormitory Sprinkler Act triggered additional requirements and the study will serve both as a negotiating document with the State Fire Marshall as well as a worse case cost estimate to assist Principia with their capital improvements planning.

One of the determining factors in selecting H+B was their sensitivity to the importance of Principia's historic building assets which will inform their approach and recommendations to the necessary code and life safety improvements.