California ISO Headquarters & Operations Center

This is a visionary project for California’s non-profit Independent System Operator (Cal ISO), a quasi-public organization which manages the high-voltage electrical grid for the entire State of California. The facility creates a secure, innovative and energy efficient headquarters complex.

Cal ISO’s site is 25-acres of rolling grassland and native oaks. We developed a parti of three interconnected wings specialized for their specific functions. The public wing provides board and meeting rooms, training rooms, and interpretive exhibits; the multi-story open office wing houses 700+ staff, educational support services, Board Room; Cafe & Dining Facility, and Health Club; and the Mission Critical wing provides a secure control room with full system redundancy for truly uninterrupted operations. The interiors were designed specifically to meet one of the organization’s primary goals of being an “Employer of Choice.” Creation of light filled and dynamic spaces encouraging creativity and interaction helps the organization attract and retain the best and brightest from the tech workforce.

The headquarters meets ambitious efficiency and sustainability goals, in keeping with Cal ISO’s mission. Features include thermal energy storage, photovoltaics, and preservation of native oak woodlands and the project is certified LEED Platinum. Cal ISO moved into their new headquarters campus, ahead of schedule and right on budget.

In 2012, Cal ISO received the prestigious DBIA National Awards for Best Overall Project and the Best Office Project. In Also received an Honorable Mention from the Metal Construction Association Chairman’s Awards Program in 2012. In 2011, the project received a Construction Management Project Achievement Award from CMAA; a AIA Central Valley Merit Award; DBIA Western Region Excellence of Merit Award; SEAOCC Excellence in Structural Engineering for Sustainable Design Award; the Judge’s Choice Award from the Sacramento Business Journal Best Real Estate Projects; a PCI Professional Design Award; ENR Best Office Project Award; and the WCCC Distinguished Projects Chairman Award.

Photography (c) Rien van Rijthoven.