2025 West Best Projects
Award of Merit, Renovation/Restoration, Excellence in Sustainability: Gregory Bateson Building Renovation
Gregory Bateson Building Renovation
Sacramento
Award of Merit, Renovation/Restoration and Award of Merit, Sustainability
Submitted by McCarthy Building Cos.
Owner State of California Dept. of General Services
Lead Design Firm CannonDesign
General Contractor McCarthy Building Cos.
Civil Engineer Siegfried Engineering
Structural Engineer Forell | Elsesser Engineers
MEP/Electrical Engineer Glumac
Preservation Architect Architectural Resources Group (ARG)
Spanning a full block in downtown Sacramento, this 308,000-sq-ft progressive design-build project transformed a building originally built in 1981 and designated eligible as a historic landmark in 2016.
The original facility was a pioneering example of architectural energy. Scope of work included the full gut and rebuild of this four-story structure to transform it into a high-performing, collaborative workspace.
Crews completed utility installations, seismic reinforcement and accessibility improvements while also restoring character-defining features such as the open atrium and signature glulam facade.
The building features an all-electric infrastructure, prefabricated duct systems, passive smoke control, high-efficiency HVAC and regional materials. By eliminating gas as an energy source, the building reduces its carbon footprint while enhancing resilience.
Currently, the project benefits from the SMUD SolarShares program, and there is potential to integrate onsite renewable energy systems in the future. Through the unique mechanical system design and the use of SMUD SolarShares for zero net energy, as well as a number of other sustainable design features, the building is on track to achieve LEED Platinum.
