Strengthening a community landmark: Victoria High School’s seismic update
For more than a century, Victoria High School has been a defining presence in the City of Victoria — an architectural landmark and a shared point of pride for generations of students, families and educators. Located in one of Canada’s most seismically active regions, this historic school recently underwent a major seismic upgrade designed to preserve its heritage character while significantly improving safety, resilience and long‑term performance.
Englobe, through its structural engineering team (Herold Engineering Limited), played a central role in the analysis, design and construction-phase support for this complex project. The work demonstrates how thoughtful, performance‑based engineering can extend the life of important community infrastructure, without compromising history.
A performance‑based approach to seismic resilience
The seismic analysis and design for Victoria High School were carried out using the Seismic Retrofit Guidelines (SRG)—a performance‑based standard developed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC for the Ministry of Education. The SRG framework promotes cost‑effective seismic retrofits for low‑rise schools in high‑seismic regions while accounting for the behaviour of existing structures.
Rather than relying solely on new structural elements, the design approach recognized the contribution of the school’s existing heritage multi‑wythe brick walls to the lateral system. Thus, the team used an approach founded on selective demolition of the building’s interior core to allow for the installation of seismic reinforcing to the existing structural elements.
New seismic components such as concrete shear walls were carefully designed to meet specified drift limits while working in concert with the original construction. The concrete shear walls were used in combination with steel beams and drag struts, and concrete foundation pads & footings were used to connect new and old structural elements together.
The performance‑based approach accounts for the contribution of the existing heritage multi‑wythe brick walls to the lateral system. This approach allowed us to strengthen the building while respecting its original structure and character.
said, Kate Ulmer, Structural Engineer and Project Lead
Engineering innovation within a heritage structure
Delivering a modern seismic upgrade within a 110‑year‑old building required innovation at every stage. One notable solution involved the use of custom shotcrete mixes to construct new shear walls directly adjacent to existing brick walls, without the need for shoring. This approach minimized disruption to the historic structure while meeting structural performance requirements.
The team also designed a light steel‑framed “ino‑skeleton”, capable of supporting significant new mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) loads without transferring additional weight to the original concrete suspended floor system. This solution preserved the aging structure’s capacity while accommodating modern building systems.
Working within the capacity of the existing heritage structure was paramount. We developed strategies that avoided loading vulnerable elements and instead directed forces to more robust vertical components.
Kate Ulmer notes.
Managing complexity and the unknown
As with many heritage retrofits, unforeseen conditions emerged once construction was underway. To address these challenges, a hands‑on, solutions‑oriented mindset and close collaboration between the design and construction teams were required.
Extensive in‑situ strength testing was conducted to verify the safe working capacities of original structural elements. In total, the Herold Engineering team completed more than 250 field reviews during construction, enabling rapid responses to site discoveries while maintaining design integrity and structural stability.
A significant scope of underpinning was also required to accommodate new seismic footings and a basement‑level addition. In areas with heavily loaded piers, the team developed temporary pile‑supported shotcrete “carrying beams” to safely transfer loads during construction.
Lasting benefits for students and the broader community
Beyond seismic safety, the project delivers wide‑ranging social, educational and environmental benefits. The upgrade preserves a building of deep cultural and historical significance to the community, while enhancing fire protection and integrating Indigenous cultural elements into the school environment.
The renewed facility also supports an additional 200 students and incorporates a neighbourhood learning centre with daycare occupancy.
The upgrades were conceived and designed to a LEED Gold–equivalent standard - a remarkable display of how heritage conservation can incorporate sustainability objectives and planned resilience.
Preserving a landmark like Vic High means designing for the future without erasing the past.
Kate Ulmer notes.
The Herold Engineering team’s excellence recognized
The Victoria High School seismic upgrade was recognized for its excellence in design and execution, receiving Judge’s Choice – Best Overall Entry at the 34th Annual Capital Region Commercial Building Awards, as well as the Community Institutional Excellence Award from the Victoria Real Estate Board.