Port O Call magazine
cover story
‘Green’ Administration Building puts 14 services under one energy-efficient roof
By Heidi Howell
More
than nine years in the making, the sleek new San Joaquin County
Administration Building at Weber and San Joaquin streets officially
opened August 31. Both traditional and futuristic, the 250,000 square
foot structure will house 14 county departments to create a
“one-stop-shop” experience.
Not only does the striking,
six-story building offer convenience and operational savings, it’s also
slated to receive a Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED)
Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council
(www.usgbc.org). LEED-certified buildings are designed to lower
operating costs, reduce waste, conserve water and energy, be safer for
occupants, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and more.
Stunning design
From
its light-drenched lobby, with its grand staircase and sprawling
granite floor representing abstract San Joaquin County landscapes, to
the soaring glass atrium expressing the openness of government, the
unique design elicits a “wow” response from virtually all who enter.
“It’s
a beautiful landmark for the county and the community of Stockton,”
says chairman of San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Leroy Ornellas.
He notes that the north and west facades speak to the county’s
traditional values. “They mimic some of the buildings we see in other
locations, especially in Stockton. But then on the corner you get this
explosion on the east of what I call excitement and innovation.”
Reminiscent
of structures found in Denver, San Diego or Atlanta, Ornellas says,
“It’s not something some residents would expect for a county building,
which makes it controversial yet noteworthy and exciting – something
that will be talked about in all different fashions, positively and
negatively.”
Director of Facilities Management Gabe Karam says
the building turned out “exactly the way we wanted: a place where
citizens of San Joaquin County could come to one location and do their
business at the treasury, tax collector, assessor’s and records
offices.” In the past, he says, people would go to the assessor’s office
in one building, then travel three or four blocks to pay taxes or get a
marriage license. “Now all 14 different departments will be
consolidated in one location.”
Gold standard
Karam
says the green building and LEED Gold certification are fantastic
accomplishments for the county. Although the initial costs for a green
building are higher than for traditional structures, the
energy-efficient equipment and solar power system, among other things,
will pay for themselves in just a few years. He says the eco-friendly
building is “good for the environment, healthy for the employees and
will save money on utilities for many, many years to come.”
Green features of the building include:
• Recycled construction materials, including paint, steel and furnishings where appropriate
• High-performance roofing and low-emissivity glass
• Energy demand at least 25 percent below California requirements
• Schedule-oriented environmental temperature and lighting
• HVAC filtration that removes fine particulates and improves air quality
• Low-emission interior materials and finishes
• Bike racks and showers/lockers to encourage alternate transportation
• Drought-tolerant landscaping and water-efficient irrigation systems
• Space planning and modular furniture to maximize natural daylight, promote air circulation
• Rooftop solar power system saves about $1,000 per month in electricity
Other system lifetime environmental benefits of solar power generation for this building include:
• Greenhouse gas reduction (CO2): 7,355,040 lbs. in 30 years
• Equivalent to planting: 16,716 trees
• Car miles not driven: 9,026,640
• Barrels of oil not consumed: 10,030
• Smog emission eliminated: 18,388 lbs.
The
$109 million building also earned PG&E’s 2009 Green award for
energy efficiency and the company presented the County with an incentive
check for $222,251.
In addition to its remarkable energy efficiency, the building also features diverse and eclectic artistry.
Fine art on display
The
city of Stockton has a policy that all buildings being erected downtown
must allocate 2 percent of their construction budgets to artwork.
Administration building officials selected award-winning artists whose
works depict natural and man-made landmarks, as well as Central Valley
and California landscapes.
“While you’re visiting for personal
or county business, the art allows you to immerse yourself in pieces
that you may not normally have the opportunity to see,” Ornellas says.
These include a glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly, geometric elevator door
artwork by Steve Pereira, a metal art sculpture by Frank Cameron, oils
by Ray Roberts, pastels by Gil Dellinger, a painting by Gregory Kondos
and a water feature by Scott Runion, Laddie Flock and Jeff Gamboni.
Well-placed artwork adds a finishing touch to the stately structure.
Building development
Planning,
which began in 2000, included preplanning, feasibility and financial
studies, location searches, building size estimates and more. Design by
Fentress Architects started in January 2007, construction by Hensel
Phelps Construction Co. commenced in August 2007, with interior woodwork
by Union Planing Mill. The project was completed in June 2009. This
month, the building should have 540 occupants, with more moving in as
their office leases expire.
“I believe the San Joaquin Valley is
going to be the next area of importance in California, economically and
politically,” Ornellas says. “I invite people coming through the San
Joaquin Valley and San Joaquin County to “not just come through here on
the way to somewhere else, but to consider San Joaquin County as the
place to build wealth, to build your factories and businesses. Consider
living here, enjoying the fruits of our agriculture and becoming part of
us. Like this new building, we’re traditional, but we’re exciting.”
>sidebar >photo: building exterior
San Joaquin County Administration Building
Anticipated departments at 44 North San Joaquin Street
• Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (2nd floor)
• Auditor/Controller (5th floor)
• Board of Supervisors/Clerk of the Board (6th floor)
• County Administrator (6th floor)
• County Administrator Office-Capital Projects (5th floor)
• County Administrator Office-Equal Employment Opportunity (3rd floor )
• County Counsel (6th floor)
• Facilities Management (5th floor)
• Human Resources (3rd floor )
• Information Systems (4th floor )
• Labor Relations (3rd floor )
• Purchasing and Support Services (5th floor)
• Registrar of Voters (3rd floor )
• Treasurer/Tax Collector-Revenue and Recovery (1st floor)
© HHWS for Stockton Chamber of Commerce
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