Robert Chou, MS, SE
Senior Principal
Robert Chou is the co-founder of VCA and has over 30 years of professional experience in the areas of Structural Engineering and Building Code Administration. As Senior Principal, he is actively involved in all aspects of the company’s operation, management and design production. Mr. Chou’s personal determination and strong work ethic have carried over to VCA’s internal culture and these positive attributes have led VCA to become a “go-to” service provider for top tier architects and developers. Under his leadership, VCA has grown to become a well-respected engineering firm, evidenced by VCA’s continuing relationship with some of the same clients for 20 years or more.
Since 1979, Mr. Chou has developed a strong reputation as a practical and creative engineer for a wide range of industrial, commercial and residential project types.
His experience with industrial type projects ranges from the design of satellite communication towers to the S-BMO facility for Rockwell International. He also spent years managing numerous projects for industrial clients such as Western Wastes Industries, U-Haul and US Borax. Mr. Chou has worked with many varied jurisdictions in the Western U.S, and his experience in California includes projects under the jurisdiction of the DSA and OSHPD.
On the commercial side, Mr. Chou has been involved with development projects including restaurants, markets, hotels and shopping centers. Many of the hotels and motels near Disneyland in Anaheim, California, are products of his design.
In the housing sector, Mr. Chou has been responsible for the design of over 40,000 single family homes scattered throughout the western United States as well as many mixed-use type projects with residential superstructures over retail and parking facilities. In recent years, he has been engaged in many of the projects in the Warner Center (Encino, California), Platinum Triangle (Anaheim, California) and Central Park West (Irvine, California) residential communities.
In addition to working as a design engineer, Mr. Chou has also been deeply involved in the building code enforcement arena. Through the years he has helped various jurisdictions review plans for code compliance and has gained the trust and respect of local building officials.
In the technical arena, Mr. Chou has led the development of several proprietary software programs used by VCA Engineers in the design of rigid and flexible diaphragm structures. He has been co-author on several technical papers and is also sought after as an industry expert by building owners and municipal authorities.
Education
- BSCE University of Massachusetts at Lowell – Lowell, Massachusetts
- MSSE Columbia University – New York City, New York
Professional Accreditation
- Professional Engineer in the states of California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah
- Structural Engineer in the states of California, Hawaiii and Nevada
Professional Affiliations
- Member of SEAOC (Structural Engineer Association of California)
- Member of ACI (American Concrete Institute)
- Member of PTI (Post Tensioning Institute)
- Certified PTI Inspector
- Certified ICC (International Code Council) Plan Examiner
- Certified State Disaster Service Worker