1021 O Street State Office Building Sacramento, California SIZE: 480,746 sq. ft. SERVICES: Architecture, Interiors, Landscape Architecture, Lighting Design, Planning, Signage & Wayfinding, Specifications, Sustainable Design, Workplace Consulting COMPLETION: 2022 Situated in the heart of Sacramento’s historic government center, the 1021 O Street State Office Building enables the continuity of the democratic process through purposeful design that is rooted in community and a paragon of sustainability.

This 10-story, LEED Platinum, Net-Zero Energy and Carbon building provides a transitional home for California’s Legislature and Executive Branch and facilitates public access to legislative hearings while the state’s 67-year-old Capitol Annex is rebuilt. Reimagining the traditional arrangement of a solid central core, the design splits the building façade from north to south, creating a vibrant and verdant central opening known as “the Heart”.

This space establishes vertical connections between the office floors via open stairways, great rooms with access to natural light, and views to the State Capitol. It also creates a flexible environment where state representatives and staff can hold meetings or do focused work. Lush outdoor terraces interspersed on different levels provide occupants with spaces for respite and a direct connection with nature. The pedestrian-scaled, transparent base of the building features two levels of publicly oriented space, a double-height main lobby, daylit waiting areas, and a suite of public hearing rooms to the east and west of the floorplates where constituents can participate in government.

The transparent glass façade provides an open and inviting public face that weaves together interior and exterior spaces. A two-story portico with expressive structural columns invites people into the main lobby. As one of California’s first Net-Zero Energy and Carbon, all-electric state office buildings, this LEED Platinum development embodies the State of California’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and serves as benchmark for future state office buildings. Inspired by nature and the unique place of Sacramento, the kinetic quality of the building enables a more verdant and calming environment that maximizes occupant comfort, indoor air quality, access to daylight, and sweeping views to the State Capitol and downtown. Irresistible stairs at the center of building encourage physical activity while a third-floor café serves local and healthy foods. Biophilic design elements such as lush outdoor terraces, natural materials—including 100% FSC-certified wood—and a landscaped streetscape provide occupants with a direct connection to nature and the outdoors.

Furthermore, products, materials, and systems were selected with high consideration of their extended performance and reliability, including more than 50 products with Health Product Declarations, 150 with Environmental Product Declarations (over 75 with material ingredient reporting) and other low-mitting certified products. Nearly 80% of construction waste was diverted from landfill totaling 2,844.34 tons. The design also implements a rigorous approach to energy conservation through a high-performance façade, water-to-water heat pumps, and an innovative low-friction air delivery system. The building features 100% LED lighting, individual task lights, EV-charging stations and is powered by a dedicated off-site PV array.

A centralized Building Management System enables real-time analysis of building performance and fine-tuning of mechanical systems while an interactive dashboard in the building lobby shares live metering of climate, air quality, and the building’s energy consumption and renewable energy generation with the public. After the new Capitol Annex project is finished, this building will accommodate up to 2,200 legislative and executive staff in a highly flexible, collaborative office space. Overall, the project serves as a benchmark for future California state office buildings, setting the standard for sustainable design, energy efficiency, and health and wellness.

Category:Green ArchitectureYear:2024Location: Sacramento, California, USAArchitects:HOKLead Architect:Paul WoolfordAssociate Architects: Dreyfuss + Blackford ArchitectureContractor: Hensel Phelps Construction Co.Client:State of California, Department of General ServicesPhotographers:Alan Karchmer | OTTA