Disciplined & High-Performance
Structural Engineering
In Los Angeles
Delivering stamped structural calculations, foundation design, and LADBS plan check approval for commercial, residential, seismic retrofit, and hillside construction projects across Southern California.
OUR STRUCTURAL SERVICES
Comprehensive structural calculations, foundation engineering, and permit-ready construction documents for projects throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California.
Residential Structural Engineering
Custom structural engineering for luxury single-family homes, multi-story residences, and architectural renovations.
- Custom Timber & Structural Steel Framing Design
- Shear Wall & Lateral Force Resisting System (LFRS) Calculations
- Slab-on-Grade & Raised Wood Floor Foundation Engineering
Commercial & Retail Engineering
Comprehensive structural design, foundation engineering, and structural alterations for commercial developments.
- Structural Steel & Reinforced Concrete Design
- Commercial Tenant Improvements (TI) & Wall Openings
- Mezzanine Floor Addition Structural Engineering
Seismic Retrofit & Soft-Story Upgrades
Engineering calculations and structural upgrades to bring soft-story, masonry, and unreinforced buildings into city compliance.
- LADBS Mandatory Soft-Story Seismic Ordinance Compliance
- Steel Moment Frame & Cantilevered Column Engineering
- Wood Sheathing & Foundation Anchor Bolt Upgrades
ADU & Garage Conversion Structural Plans
Fast-track structural engineering for Accessory Dwelling Units, garage conversions, and junior ADUs (JADUs).
- Detached & Attached Ground-Up ADU Structural Calculations
- Garage Conversion (JADU) Structural Inspections
- Two-Story ADU Timber & Steel Structural Design
Hillside Foundation & Retaining Wall Engineering
Specialized structural foundation engineering for steep hillsides, caissons, grade beams, and heavy retaining walls.
- Drilled Concrete Caisson & Friction Pile Foundation Design
- Grade Beam & Cantilevered Concrete Retaining Walls
- Hillside Structural Deck & Infinity Pool Engineering
Load-Bearing Wall Removal & Structural Beam Design
Engineering analysis, structural calculation, and beam sizing for open-concept floor plan modifications.
- On-Site Structural Load Inspection & Wall Identification
- Flush Structural Steel (W-Shape) & LVL Beam Calculations
- Point Load Column Foundation Sub-Slab Pad Design
Structural Inspections & Forensic Engineering
Independent engineering evaluations, foundation settlement reports, structural damage assessments, and peer reviews.
- Foundation Settlement & Cracking Engineering Assessment
- Post-Earthquake & Structural Fire Damage Inspection
- Unpermitted Addition Structural Permit Certification
Healthcare, Industrial & Energy Infrastructure
Disciplined structural engineering meeting strict state safety codes, OSHPD standards, and industrial utility specs.
- OSHPD / HCAI Medical Equipment Anchorage & Support Design
- Utility & Renewable Energy Solar Ground Mount Substructures
- Industrial Crane Runway & Heavy Equipment Pad Design
Estimate Your Structural Engineering Scope
Select your project parameters below to get an instant scope outline and estimated LADBS plan check timeline.
OUR APPROACH
Melqart, Inc. is a Los Angeles–based structural engineering firm serving commercial, residential, industrial, and utility projects. Operating with senior S.E. involvement, clear communication, and disciplined execution since 2015.
Our Commitments Include:
- Direct engineer-to-client communication maintains clarity and momentum.
- Disciplined execution from schematic design through construction.
- Senior-level involvement across complex building systems.
- Timely decision-making keeps projects on schedule and budget.
Every project benefits from senior technical leadership, allowing clients to manage risk, protect schedules, and move forward with confidence.
MEET OUR TEAM
Richard Daoud SE - Principal
Richard Daoud, S.E. is the Principal and Founder of Melqart, Inc., bringing 19 years of experience in structural engineering across commercial, residential, industrial, and utility projects.
Melqart was established to provide disciplined engineering supported by exceptional responsiveness. The firm operates with direct senior-level involvement, clear communication, and timely decision-making to keep projects moving from design through construction.
Richard remains closely engaged in technical leadership and project execution, ensuring accountability, consistency, and reliability at every stage.
Dhiraj Swami SE - Associate Principal
Dhiraj Swami, S.E. is a California-licensed Structural Engineer and Associate Principal with more than a decade of experience delivering high-performance structural solutions for complex buildings. He holds a Master’s degree in Civil (Structural) Engineering from UCLA and a Bachelor’s degree from Gujarat Technological University.
Dhiraj specializes in the design and execution of wood, steel, masonry, and concrete structures across a wide range of building types, including multifamily housing, hospitality, mixed-use, retail, and institutional facilities such as schools and college campuses. His project experience spans new construction, seismic retrofits, and renovations—often on buildings that require careful coordination.
Dhiraj brings a disciplined engineering mindset and a proactive approach to working with clients, architects, and contractors to solve complex structural challenges. He is dedicated to maintaining high technical standards, prioritizing client service, and delivering practical, constructable designs that keep projects moving forward smoothly while upholding the highest standards of structural safety.
Anupam Khandelwal EIT - Senior Project Engineer
Anupam Khandelwal, E.I.T. is a Senior Project Engineer with extensive experience in structural design, engineering analysis, and finite element modeling for residential, commercial, and mixed-use structures.
He oversees structural calculations, lateral force-resisting systems (LFRS), timber and structural steel framing, and foundation engineering while maintaining continuous coordination with city plan check examiners.
Craig McMillan BIM and CAD Manager
Craig McMillan is the BIM and CAD Manager at Melqart, Inc., directing 3D structural modeling, BIM standards implementation, and multi-disciplinary drawing production across complex architectural projects.
He ensures seamless 3D Revit coordination between structural framing, architectural design layouts, and MEP utility routings, delivering precision permit sets.
Dhruv Sohal EIT - Structural Engineer
Dhruv Sohal, E.I.T. is a Structural Engineer focusing on structural calculations, seismic analysis, and structural detail design for single-family residences, ADUs, and commercial alterations.
He works closely with senior structural engineers to verify load paths, design continuous foundations, and produce permit-ready engineering packages.
Nabiha Nicolas
Project Manager
Léa Rami
Project Manager
Georgio Rahbani
Structural Designer
Jeannette Nicolas
Cost Control
PROJECT PORTFOLIO
Selected structural engineering projects across residential, commercial, seismic retrofit, healthcare, and industrial sectors.
Luxury Hillside Single-Family Residence
Friction caissons, subterranean concrete basement, structural steel cantilever deck, and LADBS Hillside plan check clearance.
Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit Compliance
Special moment frame installation, plywood shear wall strengthening, foundation anchoring compliant with LADBS Ordinance 183893.
Commercial Retail & Multi-Family Complex
Structural steel framing, post-tensioned podium slab engineering, structural tenant improvements, and city plan check support.
Healthcare Infrastructure & Structural Anchorages
HCAI/OSHPD medical imaging equipment support structures, seismic anchorage calculations, and utility floor reinforcement.
Ground-Up Two-Story Detached ADU
Timber load-bearing wall calculations, continuous foundation engineering, and fast-track permit submittal.
Utility Substation & Industrial Equipment Pads
Heavy equipment vibration isolation pads, structural steel gantry frames, and high-security utility infrastructure design.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING FAQS
Answers to common questions regarding structural permits, city building departments, seismic retrofitting, and plan checks in Southern California.
What is the difference between a Civil Engineer (P.E.) and a Structural Engineer (S.E.) in California?
In California, a Structural Engineer (S.E.) is a registered Professional Engineer who has passed rigorous additional examination testing on lateral forces, seismic design, and complex structural dynamics beyond basic civil licensure. Only S.E. licensed engineers are legally authorized to design hospitals, schools, and complex multi-story structures.
How long does LADBS (Los Angeles Dept. of Building & Safety) plan check take?
Standard LADBS structural plan check reviews generally take 2 to 4 weeks depending on the department workload and project complexity. Melqart, Inc. submits comprehensive, stamped calculations and clear structural drawings to minimize plan check comments and expedite permit issuance.
Do I need structural engineering plans for a soft-story seismic retrofit?
Yes. City of Los Angeles Mandatory Soft-Story Ordinance 183893 requires engineered structural drawings, lateral moment frame calculations, and foundation tie-in details stamped by a licensed California S.E. or P.E.
What is included in a Melqart structural engineering calculation package?
Our complete permit-ready engineering package includes stamped structural calculations, framing plan layout drawings, continuous foundation details, shear wall schedules, structural general notes, and responses to plan check corrections.
How do I get an engineering estimate for removing a load-bearing wall?
You can send us your preliminary floor plan or photos of the wall. Our team will determine the joist direction, calculate tributary floor/roof loads, size the structural steel or Glulam beam, and provide a direct engineering fee proposal.
Structural Engineering Locations in Southern California
Providing specialized structural engineering, foundation design, and building permit services across all major municipalities.
CONTACT OUR ENGINEERS
Speak directly with licensed Structural Engineers (S.E.). Submit your architectural drawings or project details for a rapid plan check assessment.
MELQART, INC.
Structural Engineering Firm
714 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 617
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM PST
Serving all municipalities across Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties.