Miyamoto International. Miyamoto International is a global structural engineering and disaster management firm best known for its work in California earthquake design for new and existing buildings as well as in the reconstruction of Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Christchurch, New Zealand following earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Based in West Sacramento, California, the company has 25 offices in 12 countries worldwide.

History

What would become Miyamoto International was first founded as Arthur A. Sauer—Structural Engineer, by Arthur Sauer in Sacramento, California in 1946. A former employee in the structural division of State Division of Architecture, Sauer served in World War II as a commander in the Navy Seabees, exploring a suitable site in the Pacific Northwest where an air base made of ice could be constructed (the project was canceled) before being stationed in Japan to oversee reconstruction projects until he was discharged, when he returned to Sacramento to start his own firm. As the company expanded to open offices in Stockton and Fresno, Sauer made three of his engineers, Ken Marr, Charles Grimes and Joe Wood, associates and then partners, with the company known as Sauer-Marr-Grimes-Wood Consulting Engineers until Sauer's retirement in 1979.

Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto joined the firm - which was at that time called Marr Shaffer & Associates - in 1989. A former running back for Butte College until a knee injury forced him to shift his focus to engineering, Miyamoto was mentored by CEO John Shaffer, who retired and sold him the company in 1997, when it became Marr Shaffer & Miyamoto, Inc. In 1999, he was named one of the "Top 40 Executives Under 40" by the Sacramento Business Journal. In 2002, the company purchased Martin & Huang, when it became MHI Miyamoto before changing its name to Miyamoto International in 2004. Miyamoto International expanded into risk management in 2005 when it partnered with Global Risk Consultants to form Global Risk Miyamoto. In 2010, Miyamoto earned his Phd in Earthquake Engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Following the Haiti earthquake in 2010 Miyamoto assisted in post-disaster assessment and reconstruction, and established a location as a Haitian company. In the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, Miyamoto partnered worked on the reconstruction of Christchurch and implemented an earthquake risk reduction program in New Zealand. In 2012, Miyamoto Thailand was added to address earthquake risks in Southeast Asia. They now have offices in the US in Sacramento, San Francisco, Pleasanton, San Jose, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Reno, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, as well as international locations in Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Haiti, Italy, Turkey, Uzbekistan, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Japan and New Zealand. In 2011, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Kit Miyamoto to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission. In 2012, he was awarded the Allied Professions Honor Award by the American Institute of Architects, California Council.

The company was also involved in structural seismic redesign of LAX’s iconic Theme Building and the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.

In February 2020, Miyamoto opened an office in Ponce, Puerto Rico to assist with damage assessments and reconstruction efforts after the January 2020 earthquake.

Miyamoto is featured in the 2020 documentary film The Last House Standing which aired on public television in the United States, discussing how poorly prepared the United States is for major earthquakes. He talks about the technology that exists to build safer buildings that would survive disasters, but only a small percentage of buildings are using it in the United States.

Structural engineering, risk management and disaster response

Miyamoto International provides structural and earthquake engineering and disaster management for the public and private sector in the United States and internationally. They design new and retrofit existing buildings to withstand the effects of large earthquakes. They also provide risk consulting services for other natural calamities, including hurricanes and floods. After earthquakes or other natural disasters occur, they provide technical advice and damage assessments to aid in the restoration and resilience of affected areas.

Miyamoto also specializes in assessing critical infrastructure and facilities for disaster resilience and retrofitting.

2010 earthquake in Haiti

On January 12, 2010, Haiti was struck by an earthquake that registered 7.0 on the Richter Scale. Some estimates quoted the death toll as high as 300,000, with another 300,000 wounded and more than one million people left homeless. In a partnership with Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), Miyamoto International arrived shortly afterward to aid local professionals in the reconstruction. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) worked with the Haitian government and Miyamoto International in Port-au-Prince to assess the extent of the structural damage. Miyamoto International also trained locals in masonry and structural engineering so they could repair their homes or rebuild new quake-resistant buildings. Miyamoto trained over 500 structural engineers, to inspect over 400,000 homes, with Miyamoto issuing a statement that most of the homes could be "repaired in less than three days for $1,000 to $1500 each." Following these events, Miyamoto International also established a permanent office in Haiti.

2011 Christchurch earthquake

On February 22, 2011, Christchurch, New Zealand was badly damaged by an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale. The reported death toll was 185 with several thousand injuries reported. Dr. Amir Gilani from Miyamoto International was dispatched Christchurch that week to assess the extent and the causes of the damage, reporting "extensive damage to downtown buildings and widespread soil liquefaction throughout the region." Dr. Miyamoto directed the New Zealand team from his location in Haiti. Miyamoto worked with groups and individuals within the city on a structural response plan that repaired damage while attempting to retain as many buildings as possible in the city, specifically heritage buildings. Residents were severely divided when plans were announced to demolish ChristChurch Cathedral. Representatives from Miyamoto International said that the building, erected in 1904, could be preserved and made safe using modern techniques. Currently, the building has been partially deconstructed with advocacy taking up a case with the Supreme Court in New Zealand to stop its demolition.

2011 Japan earthquake 
On March 11, 2011, an earthquake measuring 9.0 occurred off Japan's east coast, resulting in a tsunami that claimed the lives of 15,883, and damaged the cooling system at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. At the time, Kit Miyamoto was on a train near Ikebukuro station after delivering a speech on earthquake engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and had to walk with his family to the next station. He remained in Japan to assess the damage. He also provided technical advice regarding structural engineering issues at Sendai, an area that had been severely damaged.

2015 Nepal earthquake 
On April 25, 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred in Nepal (known as the Gorkha earthquake) and killed nearly 9,000 people. A team of disaster response experts from Miyamoto International was dispatched to assess trekking routes on the foothills of Mount Everest and to rural villages 20 km outside Kathmandu's capital.

2016 Ecuador earthquake 
On April 16, 2016, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred in the coastal region of Manabí, Ecuador with 700 casualties and nearly 6,000 injured. In collaboration with local offices, our team evaluated building safety, developed reconstruction plans, and provided capacity building to local engineers on post-earthquake techniques.

2022 Ukraine conflict 
On February 24, 2022, the longstanding Russian-Ukrainian conflict escalated with a large mobilization of Russian forces into Ukraine. Our conflict and disaster reconstruction experts mobilized to the region, aiding in school safety and repairs through our non-profit organization Miyamoto Relief, launching a fundraiser event called Night of a 1,000 Drawings for School No. 165 in Kyiv, and highlighting the dangers of exposed asbestos due to the widespread damage to buildings.

2022 Afghanistan earthquake 
On June 22, 2022, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Patkita and Khost provinces on June 22, 2022. Our team, led by Dr. Kit Miyamoto, assessed damage and developed repair strategies for traditional mud brick buildings. Our experts also provided recommendations and trained local engineers and masons on earthquake-resistant vernacular construction techniques.

2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquake 
On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Osmaniye and Gaizantep provinces between Türkiye and Syria, leaving around 7,900 casualties. After assessing building collapses and failures, the team identified poor construction quality and lack of code enforcement for widespread destruction.

2023 Morocco earthquake 
On September 8, 2023, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Atlas Mountains south of Marrakech, Morocco, killing an estimate of 2,900 people. Our team conducted field investigations and damage assessments, identifying construction vulnerabilities, such as poor construction near rivers, ad-hoc mixing of traditional and modern construction methods, and low quality concrete products. Other assessments included building typologies, seismic performance, emergency shelter recommendations, building codes, and recovery and reconstruction guidance.

Affiliations

United Nations Global Compact

Miyamoto International has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2011. The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses committed to focusing operations on ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption in order to perform ethical business practices that will benefit economies worldwide.

Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief

Kit Miyamoto is also CEO of the nonprofit, Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief, launched in 2011. The company provides technical assistance for disaster reconstruction efforts around the world in communities lacking financial resources, partnering with national governments, United Nations, and non-government organizations, using funding from private donors.

Awards and Recognitions
2004

 Stockton Hotel—Best Use of New Technology in Construction, Structural Engineering Association of California (SEAOC)

2005

 CSUS Academic Information Center—Best Use of New Technology in New Construction, SEAOC
 Hollywood Bowl—Excellence Award in Landmark Structures, SEAOC

2006

 Golden Once Credit Union Headquarters—Best of 2006 in Northern California, California Construction Magazine

2007

 Griffith Observatory—National Preservation Award, National Trust for Historic Preservation
 Griffith Observatory—Retail Design Award, Concrete Masonry Design Awards

2008

 Golden One Credit Union Headquarters—Best Low-rise Office Building, Precast/Pre-stressed Concrete Institute
 Griffith Observatory—Large Project Certificate of Merit, SEAOC
 Top 100 Design Firms (#63), McGraw-Hill California's Construction Magazine

2009

 Globe Mills—President's Award (Large Rehabilitation), California Preservation Foundation
 Pacific Life Insurance Company Tower—Land Development Project of the Year, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) of Orange County

2010

 LAX Theme Building—Trustees Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation, California Preservation Foundation's Preservation Design Awards
 LAX Theme Building—Large Project Award of Excellence, SEAOC
 Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension—Project of the Year, ASCE
 Globe Mills—Outstanding Historical Renovation, ASCE
 Eisenhower Medical Center—Citation Award for Commercial Architecture, AIA North Chapter

2011

 Business of the Year, Region Builders
 Top Structural Engineering Firms, Structural Engineer
 Hot Firm List (#143), The Zweig Letter
 Fastest-Growing Companies (#50), Sacramento Business Journal
 Port-au-Prince, Haiti—Humanitarian Award, SEAOC

2012

 Hot Firm List (#93), The Zweig Letter
 Fastest-Growing Firms, Sacramento Business Journal
 Fastest Growing Companies, INC. Magazines
 Young Life's Washington Family Ranch—Traditional Use of Wood Award, WoodWorks
 USCD East Campus Medical Office Building—Tilt-Up Achievement Award, Tilt-Up Concrete Association
 7th & H Street Housing Project—Architectural Project of the Year Award, ASCE

2013

 7th & Street Housing Project—Award of Merit in Responsive Design (Special Needs category), Gold Nugget Awards
 UC Davis Housing Project—Award of Merit, Gold Nugget Awards
 Hot Firm List (#86), The Zweig Letter
 National Marketing Comunications Video Award, Society for Marketing Professional Services

2014

 Best Global Record (Repair of 12,000 earthquake-damaged homes in Haiti, Engineering News Record (ENR)

2015

 California Family Fitness on K Street—Structural Project of the Year, ASCE Sacramento
2016

 U.S. President's "E" Award for Us Exports, U.S. Department of Commerce
 Midpoint @ 237—Industrial Project of the Year, Silicon Valley Business Journal
 Metro Universal Station Ped Bridge—Outstanding Bridge Project of the Year, ASCE
 St. Thomas More Sanctuary—Grand Orchid Award, San Diego Architectural Foundation
2017

 Arch Nexus Sustainable Adaptive Re-Use—Green "Best Project" of the Year, ENR
 Arch Nexus Sustainable Adaptive Re-Use-Best Real Estate Project of the Year (Category: Top Public Project), Sacramento Business Journal
 C3 Office Parking Structure-Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in Concrete Construction, Southern California Chapter of American Concrete Institute
 West Gateway Place-Best in American Living (Category: Affordable Multifamily), National Association of Home Builders

2018

Arch Nexus Sustainable Adaptive Re-Use—National "Best of the Best" Green Project Winner, ENR
Arch Nexus Sustainable Adaptive Re-Use—Living Building Challenge Certificate, International Living Future Institute
Southwestern College, Wellness and Aquatic Center—Green Building Design Award, City of Chula Vista
2019

 North Coastal Live Well Health Center—Buildings, New Construction (Category: Less than $25 Million) Award, CMAA San Diego Chapter
 North Coastal Live Well Health Center—Regional Award, DBIA Western Pacific Region
 North Coastal Live Well Health Center—Lean In Design-Build Excellence, DBIA Western Pacific Region
 North Coastal Live Well Health Center—Excellnce in Sustainability, ACG Build San Diego
 North Coastal Live Well Health Center—Savings by Designs: Energy and Integration, AIA San Diego Design
 Kaiser Dublin Specialty Medical Offices and Cancer Center—Tilt-Up Achievement Award, Tilt-Up Concrete Association
 Southwestern College Wellness and Aquatics Complex—Tilt-Up Achievement Award, Tilt-Up Concrete Association
 Southwestern College Wellness and Aquatics Complex—Divine Detail Award, AIA San Diego Design
2020

 CSUS University Union—Design Build Distinction Award, DBIA WPR
 Gio Apartments—Top Mixed-Used/Residential Project, Sacramento Business Journal
 Lake Tahoe Community College, Mobility Hub—Tallac Achievement Award, Tahoe Chamber
 The Greek Theatre—Preservation Design Award for Rehabilitation, Preservation Foundation's Board of Trustees
 The Roebbelen Center @ the Grounds—Best Real Estate Project of the Year: Top Public Project Category, Sacramento Business Journal

In 2004, Miyamoto won the Best Use of New Technology in Retrofit/Alteration Certificate of Merit Award from the Structural Engineering Association of California for their work on the Stockton Hotel. In 2005, they won two awards from the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC): a Certificate of Merit in the Best Use of New Technology in New Construction category for their work on the CSUS Academic Information Center, and an Excellence Award in Landmark Structures for work on the Hollywood Bowl. In 2006, the firm's work on Golden One Credit Union Headquarters received an award as the Best of 2006 in Northern California from California Construction Magazine. In 2007, their work on the Griffith Observatory won a National Preservation Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Their work on Nugget Markets won a retail design award at the Concrete Masonry Design Awards.

In 2008, the company received the award for Best Low-rise Office Building from the Precast/Pre-stressed Concrete Institute for their design work on the Golden 1 Credit Union Headquarters in Sacramento, California. In 2008, they also won a Large Project Certificate of Merit from SEAOC in the Retrofit/Alteration category for their work on Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. In addition, the firm was ranked 63 on the list of the Top 100 Design Firms by McGraw-Hill California's Construction Magazine. In 2009, they received a President's Award in the Large Rehabilitation category from the California Preservation Foundation for work on Globe Mills in Sacramento. They also won an award for Land Development Project of the Year from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) of Orange County for its structural engineering work on the Pacific Life Insurance Company Tower.

In 2010, they won the Trustees Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation at the California Preservation Foundation's Preservation Design Awards for work on the LAX Theme Building in Los Angeles. The project also won a Large Project Award of Excellence from SEAOC in the Retrofit/Alteration category for work on the LAX Theme Building in Los Angeles. The same year, the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, for which Miyamoto supplied structural engineering services, won the project of the year from ASCE. Their work on Globe Mills was also recognized by ASCE with an award for outstanding historical renovation. In 2010, the company was also recognized for their work on the Eisenhower Medical Center with the AIA North Chapter Citation Award for Commercial Architecture.

In 2011, they were named the Business of the Year by Region Builders, and were named to the list of Top Structural Engineering Firms by Structural Engineer. The same year, they were number 142 on The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List, and number 50 on The Sacramento Business Journal's annual fastest-growing companies list. They were also awarded with a Humanitarian Award from SEAOC for their work in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

In 2012, they were 93 on The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List, were named to the list of Fastest-Growing Firms by Sacramento Business Journal, and made the INC. Magazine's List of America's 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies. The company also won a Traditional Use of Wood Award from WoodWorks for their design work on Young Life's Washington Family Ranch, Creekside in Antelope, OR., a Tilt-Up Achievement Award from the Tilt-Up Concrete Association for design work on the UCSD East Campus Medical Office Building, and an Architectural Project of the Year Award from ASCE for the 7th & H Street Housing Project in Sacramento, California. The 7th & H Street Housing Project also won an Award of Merit in Responsive Design in the Special Needs Category at the 2013 Gold Nugget Awards, where the firm also won an Award of Merit in Campus Housing for the UC Davis Housing Project. In 2013, they were 86 on The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List. They also received a National Marketing Communications Video Award from the Society for Marketing Professional Services.

References

Companies based in Sacramento, California
Engineering companies of the United States