The design of Shumway Hall required around 75% of Cobb Hall to be demolished, leaving a small portion of the building to remain. Schnabel was hired to install permanent excavation support in front of Cobb Hall to allow for the construction of Shumway Hall. The renovations planned inside the remaining Cobb Hall required underpinning existing footings. Around the remainder of Shumway Hall, temporary excavation support was required including a tunnel section to connect the new structure with the adjacent Rouss Robertson Hall.

The decision was made to install a secant wall with permanent tiebacks in front of the remaining portion of Cobb Hall to reduce potential settlements of the structure. The remaining temporary excavation support was designed as soldier piles and tiebacks except in the tunnel section, where temporary bracing would be utilized.