The current facilities are not energy efficient and do not meet modern facility or seismic codes, a major consideration in northern California.

Prior to the introduction of modern seismic codes in early 1970s, beam-column joints were typically non-engineered or designed.

Amidst great controversy the district attributed the high costs to material, land prices, seismic code, and unionized labor.

On the other hand, Iranian regulations laid down in the 1989 Iran seismic code.

And in place of the thin roofs and overhangs of midcentury, Mr. Reynolds said, "we had to have much thicker structure to meet seismic codes."

Most buildings built since the mid-1970's comply with seismic codes designed to protect them from all but catastrophic earthquakes.

St. Vib's is being retrofitted to meet seismic codes and will reopen as a performing arts center for California State University at Los Angeles.

That is beginning to change as new structures are built under the seismic code, which took effect in 1996.

To prevent pounding, the seismic code calls for a separation between buildings of one inch for every 50 feet of tower height.

The remodeling also brought the building up to modern seismic codes and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).