Structural Engineer & Educator

Andy Rastetter

I'm an engineer with an architect's eye. With a dual background in architecture and structural engineering, I've spent my career working at the intersection of the two — collaborating closely with architects and multidisciplinary teams to develop structures that don't just hold buildings up, but make them better.

About

Andy Rastetter, PE

Andy Rastetter is a structural engineer and educator whose work sits at the intersection of engineering and architecture. With dual graduate degrees in Architecture and Structural Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, he brings a unique perspective to the design of buildings — one that treats structure not merely as a support system, but as an integral contributor to the architectural experience.

Over a decade of professional practice, Andy has helped deliver a broad spectrum of projects — from award-winning cultural institutions and master plans to high-rise towers and educational facilities — collaborating with world-renowned architects including Renzo Piano Building Workshop, RIOS, MAD Architects, and Henning Larsen.

Beyond practice, Andy is committed to shaping the next generation of designers through his teaching at UC Berkeley, where he developed and delivered the curriculum for "Introduction to Structures" in the Department of Architecture.

Licensed Civil Engineer — CA #87101LEED APAIA AssociateULI San Francisco

Experience

2025 — Present

Senior Associate

Stantec — San Francisco, CA

Leading Stantec's structures team in San Francisco, delivering structural engineering across industrial manufacturing, higher education, science + technology, and healthcare, among other sectors. Spanning the full project lifecycle — from early conceptual design through construction — focused on growing the team, deepening client relationships, and bringing an integrated, design-forward approach to technically complex buildings in high-seismic environments.

2014 — 2025

San Francisco Office Director & Associate

Buro Happold — San Francisco, CA

Over nearly 11 years, worked closely with architects and interdisciplinary teams to develop holistic structural solutions for a wide range of project types — from large-scale cultural and institutional buildings to adaptive reuse and mixed-use developments. A dual background in architecture and engineering informed a design-integrated approach, with a focus on creating structures that elevate the architecture they support.

Office Director

Nov 2024 – Apr 2025

Led the day-to-day operations of Buro Happold's San Francisco office, supporting a multidisciplinary team of consulting engineers and strategists across structures, sustainability, and building performance.

Associate

Jun 2014 – Apr 2025

Directed integrated structural design on projects ranging from cultural landmarks to master plans, collaborating with world-class architects including Renzo Piano Building Workshop, RIOS, MAD Architects, and Henning Larsen.

2020 — 2024

Lecturer, Department of Architecture

University of California, Berkeley

Taught ARCH 150, Introduction to Structures, to approximately 100 undergraduate architecture students each fall. The course bridges structural engineering fundamentals with architectural design thinking — helping students understand how structures shape the spaces we inhabit.

2012 — 2014

Graduate Student Instructor & Researcher

University of California, Berkeley

Taught weekly discussion sections and contributed to curriculum development for courses in structures, energy and environment, and a summer design academy for high school students. Conducted research on the daylighting and structural potential of light-transmitting concrete, including designing testing procedures, fabricating samples, and performing daylighting analysis.

2013

Summer Intern

William McDonough Partners + Haas School of Business — Berkeley & San Francisco, CA

Developed low-cost sustainable housing prototypes for Haiti, conducting research on materials, local markets, and sustainable design strategies while coordinating across design, stakeholder, and partner teams.

2009 — 2010

Junior Architect

Melander Architects, Inc. — San Francisco, CA

Created and managed construction drawing sets for custom residential projects, including drafting, detailing, 3D modeling, specifications, and code research.

Portfolio

Cultural & Civic

United Center Masterplanwith RIOS in Chicago, IL
Cafe at Civic Centerwith WRNS in San Francisco, CA
Qiddiya Performing Arts Centerin Qiddiya, KSA
Ulaanbaatar Mixed-Use Canopieswith PAU & JCDA in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Education

ASU Thunderbird Schoolwith MRY & Jones Studio in Phoenix, AZ
UC Lindner College of Businesswith Henning Larsen in Cincinnati, OH
Harney Hall at USFwith Flad Architects in San Francisco, CA
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicinein St. Kitts & Nevis

Hospitality

Confidential Resort and Spawith RIOS in Rancho Mirage, CA
Confidential Observatory & Planetariumwith MAD Architects in KSA
Confidential 350m Hotel Towerin NEOM, KSA

Commercial & Transport

Twitch TI & Feature Stairwith Iwamoto Scott in San Francisco, CA
Kapor Center for Social Impactwith Fougeron Architects in Oakland, CA
Meta Willow Villagewith Safdie Architects in Menlo Park, CA
LAX Midfield Satellite Concoursewith Woods Bagot in Los Angeles, CA
Terasaki Canopieswith House Robertson in Westwood, CA

Residential

Fisher Residencewith Melander Architects in San Francisco, CA
Schwab Residencewith Melander Architects in Venice, CA
West Street Residencein Oakland, CA

Teaching

As a Lecturer in UC Berkeley's Department of Architecture, Andy developed the complete curriculum for "Introduction to Structures" — an upper-division course bridging structural engineering fundamentals with architectural design thinking, helping approximately 100 students each fall understand how structures shape the spaces we inhabit.

He is also a frequent invited presenter at undergraduate and graduate seminars across California, including UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Introduction to Structures (ARCH 150)

UC Berkeley, Dept. of Architecture — 2020–2024

Architecture 140 & 150

UC Berkeley — Graduate Student Instructor, 2012–2014

embARC Summer Program

UC Berkeley — Graduate Student Instructor, 2013–2014

Invited Guest Lectures

UC Berkeley · UC San Diego · Cal Poly SLO

Publications & Awards

2025

Interviewed for Structures Magazine, "Taking the Long View"

Interview

2024

Interviewed for The Real Deal, "Bay Area Architects on Their Most and Least Favorite San Francisco Buildings"

Interview

2022

Co-authored for Structures Magazine, "Seismic Complexity, Seismic Innovations: Structures for the Academy Museum" (with Derrick Roorda)

Publication

2022

Interviewed for Architectural Record, "Continuing Education: Embodied Carbon & Adaptive Reuse"

Interview

2020

NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering Award — Outstanding Project (New Buildings over $200M)

Award

2019

Presented "Innovative and Unprecedented Structural Solutions" at the NCSEA Summit

Presentation

2015

Schleicher, S., Rastetter, A., et al. "Form-Finding and Design Potentials of Bending-Active Plate Structures." In Modelling Behaviour, Springer

Academic

Education

Master of Architecture

UC Berkeley

May 2014

View Thesis: Rigid Fabric

M.S. Structural Engineering

UC Berkeley

December 2014

B.A. Architecture

UC Berkeley

August 2008

Contact

Whether you're exploring a design challenge, seeking a collaborator, or interested in a conversation about integrated structural design — I'd welcome the opportunity to connect.

Based in Oakland, CA

Serving clients and collaborators across the Bay Area, California, and beyond. Available for structural engineering consultation, integrated design services, and educational engagements.