Initially constructed in 1906, the Kearns Building stands as a testament to historical architecture in the heart of Salt Lake City. Efforts to preserve and modernize the building focused on fortifying its structural integrity to accommodate modern amenities and accessibility standards. Central to the design was reinforcement of the Level 2 plaza to withstand a load of 100 psf, allowing for landscape modifications, including small trees. This required meticulous assessment of existing framework to enhance load-bearing capacity and ensure compliance with modern safety standards.

The project also involved extensive restroom modifications, including lowering the restroom elevation from its original height of 2'3" to align with the floor slab, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines. The structural design also accounted for installation of new mechanical equipment by reinforcing the existing floors to withstand additional loads imposed by the upgraded systems.