HRGA

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District - East Campus - Operations Center (SMUD – EC-OC) includes 350,000 square feet of building space on a 51 acre site located southeast of downtown Sacramento, California.

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Buildings include a six-story office building and several one to two story maintenance and operation buildings.

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The project's goal is to maximize energy efficiency and reduce the impact on the environment targeting LEED Platinum Certification to obtain highest USGBC rating. Many different design strategies are used including radiant ceilings for heating and cooling, subterranean geo-thermal exchange for constant air temperature, and a large solar panel canopy to off-set 100% of the energy used on site. A combination of a sunshade and light louver system is used on the southern windows in order to minimize heat gains while maximizing daylight so that 75% of the office space can be lit naturally.

The 203,000 sf office building is a total of six stories in height, consisting of a two story, semi-subterranean podium, transitioning into a four story tower of a smaller footprint. Stair towers are expressed as individual design elements on the north, east, and west facades. The Mechanical Penthouse is carefully positioned in location and geometry to enhance the overall building mass and view from street level. The building entrance canopies add a unique design feature to the overall massing of the building with different forms and materials. The north building elevation consists of a repetitive window pattern highlighted with accent metal wall panels, smaller windows, an asymmetrical central stair, and entry canopies. Deep recessed windows create shadow lines to articulate the façade. The south building elevation consists of a repetitive window pattern at the podium, varying window pattern on the tower, and accent metal wall panels.

The primary building materials include pre-cast concrete, poured-in-place concrete, storefront and curtainwall glazed systems, and metal wall paneling. Additional accent materials include sunshade devices, aluminum composite paneling, metal railings, and wood-grained resin paneling. Drought tolerant plants will be provided throughout the site. Special attention has been given to the proposed water saving irrigation design including capturing onsite water and storing it underground. The site includes a detention basin and multiple grassy swales around the perimeter of the site for water quality treatment.

 

Young Kim, Lead Designer, Stantec