Interior of a modern cafe with a bar counter, barstools, and patrons seated at tables near large windows, decorated with plants and wooden ceiling panels.
Modern house with large windows and warm lighting, situated in a lush, wooded area at dusk. Features an outdoor swimming pool and a garden with blooming flowers.

SINGLE FAMILY

RESTAURANTS / T.I.

Interior of a wooden meditation or yoga studio with cushions arranged in a circle on a polished wood floor, large windows, and modern lighting.
Modern house with curved roof in desert landscape at dusk, surrounded by bushes and plants.

CUSTOM & ALTERNATIVE

COMMERCIAL

Construction site featuring large wooden domed structures in a forested area with tall trees, partially cloudy sky, workers, and construction equipment.
A modern multi-story building with a white facade, featuring square windows with green and black frames. The ground floor has commercial spaces, including a store with a black and gold sign that says "Mignon". There are two people walking on the sidewalk and a bike rack in front of the building. Trees are visible in the background, and the sky is clear with a few clouds.

MULTI FAMILY RESIDENCE

LANDSCAPE / EDUCATION

The exterior of a house under construction with straw bales as insulation covered by black straps, and a window with plastic covering, with a blue sky and some clouds in the background.
Outdoor seating area with a large stone fireplace, wooden benches with red pillows and sheepskin throws, surrounded by a wooden fence and trees in the background.

EARTHEN MATERIALS

BIO BASED MATERIALS

GREAT ENGINEERING IS GREEN

VSE is a full-service structural firm specializing in creative problem-solving and bio-based design. From standard construction to pioneering low-carbon materials, we deliver efficient, elegant and code-compliant solutions

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HOW WE WORK

VSE combines technical expertise with a friendly, client-focused approach, delivering structural solutions that prioritize efficiency and elegance.

We have a collaborative approach and are able to engage in the design process from the start, explore options, and outline the implications of each creative choice.

Our team balances decades of structural expertise with a commitment to a carbon-conscious future.

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PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS

  • Structural assessments, material guidance, and engineering consultation from first concept through design development.

  • Stamped drawings and calculation packages for projects of any scale or material, ready for permit submittal.

  • From structural observations to special inspections, we consult on and adapt to on-site conditions.

  • VSE has assisted in the authorship of multiple International Building Code appendices, supporting the development of thoughtful, efficient standards, practices, and procedures.

  • We offer expert knowledge when projects require legal or technical testimony.

  • We provide structural consultation to companies developing new products and methods. 

    We support code compliance, testing, and evaluation services, along with connection detailing.

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WE WORK WHERE YOU ARE

Based in Berkeley, CA, but not limited to it. VSE is currently licensed in 21 states.

Don’t see your state? We will acquire the necessary licenses to support your project, no matter where it is located.

Map of the United States showing states with licensed drivers in dark green and states eligible for licenses in light green.

Outside of the US? We have experience consulting internationally, including places such as Nepal, Haiti, and India.

PUSHING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD

Two books on sustainable building design, one titled "Straw Bale Building Details" and the other "essential COB CONSTRUCTION" with images of wooden structures and construction scenes on the covers.

CODE DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH

VSE has led and advised many testing and research pursuits with universities and private labs to increase the data available to practitioners engaging with low-carbon and alternative building systems. 

VSE engineers have also contributed to the development of multiple alternative material building code sections, chapters, and updates to help make the permit acquisition of these materials more accessible.

A multi-story house with large illuminated windows, surrounded by trees including palm trees, during dusk or evening.

AWARD-WINNING DESIGN

We support architects and designers' award-winning projects. 

A panel discussion with four speakers seated on stools in front of a screen displaying 'Innovative Materials at Scale' and images of three speakers. Audience members sit and listen in a modern conference room.

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Our team has authored and contributed to foundational books and various articles. Regularly speaking at conferences across the country.

Through this work, we share our knowledge to help the field move forward.

View of a wooden structure under construction with framing and insulation panels, outdoor blue sky, and shadows cast by the wooden beams.

VERDANT PANEL

VSE received an EPA Grant in 2021 to develop The Verdant Panel, which is a structural insulated panel with an innovative straw-based insulation that stores CO2 and reaches an R21 with a 2x6 wall. A team from VSE formed Verdant Building Products to take the product to market. Design it in your project today.

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LET’S COLLABORATE

The best structural solutions come from understanding a project as a whole: its goals, its constraints, its materials, and its impact beyond the build site.

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