DPR Construction's new office transforms an existing 1940s building with a material never before used in Sacramento for a building’s structure. DPR’s renovation shows what is possible in sustainability with a “living lab” office space that incorporates mass timber using cross laminated timber (CLT) panels. This is Sacramento’s first CLT structure and the first shear wall application of CLT in the State of California. Project scope included the adaptive re-use of two adjacent existing structures totaling 28,833 sq. ft. with a 6,000 sq. ft. second story expansion utilizing a mass timber structure. DPR relocated their Sacramento regional office into the second story and is providing leasing opportunities on the ground level, which will activate J St. and connect DPR to the community. Previously a bank, the sleek, reimagined space features agile, open office seating areas to reflect the family-like culture and offer flexibility to employees who spend more time at job sites than in the office. The space also includes a range of work areas to enable a variety of heads-down and collaborative tasks: meeting rooms, break rooms, open collaborative areas, focus areas, a training room and lounge spaces.

Inspired by the office’s location in “The City of Trees,” the project’s biophilic design elements include sculptural “grow columns,” and a seed wall art installation. Seven local artists were selected to design custom art installations to enliven the space. The artworks reference the culture of both DPR and the Sacramento area in various mediums including murals and mobiles. With Net Zero Energy (NZE) becoming a requirement for all commercial buildings in California by 2030, the design meets and exceeds this mandate. It targets Net Positive Energy and is designed to achieve LEED® Platinum and WELL certification standards.

Photography: Chad Davies