Calpers Headquarters/Lincoln Plaza Built: 1986 Location: 400 Q St., SacramentoAsked to create a progressive headquarters building for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects designed a structure that was ahead of its time in energy efficiency and function. The combination of an exposed, pre-cast concrete structure combined with stepped, landscaped terraces was a radical design for the time. — Calpers Headquarters/Lincoln Plaza Built: 1986 Location: 400 Q St., Sacramento Asked to create a progressive headquarters building for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects designed a structure that was ahead of its time in energy efficiency and function. The combination of an exposed, pre-cast concrete structure combined with stepped, landscaped terraces was a radical design for the time.

As the plantings matured, the overhanging foliage formed a layer of natural shadow that helps to absorb the sun and keep the building cool. Windows have natural shading due to the cantilevered building design, the orientation of the structure and the abundant greenery. The structure features a fully landscaped, green roof, which was revolutionary for the time.

The CalPERS building was one of the first office buildings to use a raised access floor under which all the electrical and data cabling were hidden. As a result, the structure is open and inviting, with all ducting contained in the ceiling of the building’s central core. In 2009, the project received a Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design for Existing Buildings.

Office of Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects Built: 1965 Location: 3540 Folsom Blvd., SacramentoDreyfuss & Blackford Architects looked to Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson for inspiration when designing the company’s headquarters. Reminiscent of the iconic Philip Johnson glass house, the building demonstrates how to use materials like steel and glass to design a building that will stand the use of generations. Every column, every beam and every piece of glass are uniform. — Office of Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects Built: 1965 Location: 3540 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects looked to Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson for inspiration when designing the company’s headquarters. Reminiscent of the iconic Philip Johnson glass house, the building demonstrates how to use materials like steel and glass to design a building that will stand the use of generations. Every column, every beam and every piece of glass are uniform.

The site was selected for its proximity to the city center and its views into the tranquil, tree-lined streets. To capitalize on the sight lines, the mounding of the building raises the view above the street traffic and provides a transition for the building from the parking and sidewalk levels. The massive window walls express the structure and expose the materials, bringing the outside in and providing uninterrupted views.

The orientation of the building also allows for maximum daylight with the least amount of direct sunlight, helping to naturally control the building’s temperature and lighting. Shortly after completion, the firm was honored by a local community organization for the building’s outstanding contribution to the neighborhood’s appearance.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Headquarters Built: 1959 Location: 6201 S St., SacramentoThe SMUD headquarters was one of the first to use custom-designed, vertical louvers that can be adjusted or tilted according to the season. Concerned with heating and cooling the building without compromising architectural design, the architects devised a way to control the building’s interior climate and save energy through the motorized louvers. — Sacramento Municipal Utility District Headquarters Built: 1959 Location: 6201 S St., Sacramento The SMUD headquarters was one of the first to use custom-designed, vertical louvers that can be adjusted or tilted according to the season. Concerned with heating and cooling the building without compromising architectural design, the architects devised a way to control the building’s interior climate and save energy through the motorized louvers.

The system functions as an innovative means of glare and temperature control by tracking the sun and adjusting accordingly. The system includes two settings — one for summer and the other for winter — and can be manually adjusted, depending on the time of year. The building’s elevated and recessed, concrete base employed a modernist approach, creating a protected, outdoor circulation corridor where visitors can congregate.

Original plans called for a travertine-clad façade on the base, but a piece of public art was commissioned instead after it was determined that the art would cost less to install than the travertine. World-renowned local artist Wayne Thiebaud created an abstract tile mural known as Water City. In 2010, the SMUD building was named in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

California State Energy Commission Building Built: 1981 Location: 1516 9th St., SacramentoDuring the 1970s, California State Architect Sim Van der Ryn developed the first government-initiated, energy-efficient office building program. The California Energy Commission and its headquarters became one of eight state properties commissioned to demonstrate energy-conscious design. — California State Energy Commission Building Built: 1981 Location: 1516 9th St., Sacramento During the 1970s, California State Architect Sim Van der Ryn developed the first government-initiated, energy-efficient office building program. The California Energy Commission and its headquarters became one of eight state properties commissioned to demonstrate energy-conscious design.

Nacht & Lewis Architects set out to promote efficiency and conservation, supporting cutting-edge research and developing renewable energy resources in its Sacramento office. Designed to maximize natural light and reduce the energy required for artificial illumination, the building is stepped both in plan and in section, creating relatively narrow interior spaces that are flooded with daylight.

To control both the temperature and the lighting, the building used automated, vertical, exterior shading panels that could be adjusted depending on the time of day and season. A nighttime flushing cools off the thermal mass of the structure, including the concrete columns and floors, to keep the building cool during the day.

AT&T Building Built: 1963 (originally Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co.) Location: 2700 Watt Ave., SacramentoTaking a suburban approach to a commercial building, the late- mid-century modern structure experiments with pre-cast, modular concrete panels, which serve as exterior walls. — AT&T Building Built: 1963 (originally Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co.) Location: 2700 Watt Ave., Sacramento Taking a suburban approach to a commercial building, the late- mid-century modern structure experiments with pre-cast, modular concrete panels, which serve as exterior walls.

The concrete lattice frame acts as a sunscreen by providing the thermal mass to capture, store and release heat internally during the winter months. The orientation of each decorative façade carries a different shade device, creating various reflected patterns. The south side blocks the sun from above, and the east/west side reduces as much solar gain as possible.

The entire building is served by a central plant for heating and cooling that is housed in a separate structure, leaving the roof unblemished. The large, central courtyard breaks up the concrete expanse and offers a park-like setting for employees and guests to gather.

Midtown office building Built: 1962 Location: 2700 J St., SacramentoLocated in midtown’s popular Sutter District, the building at 2700 J St. makes good use of a narrow but deep site to create a pragmatic yet architecturally pleasing structure. — Midtown office building Built: 1962 Location: 2700 J St., Sacramento Located in midtown’s popular Sutter District, the building at 2700 J St. makes good use of a narrow but deep site to create a pragmatic yet architecturally pleasing structure.

The north facing, curtain-window wall system with hanging, steel frame spans two complete floors to maximize the view. The orientation of the building allows the greatest amount of natural light to penetrate deep into the structure but cuts down on the direct sunlight.

The walls are hollow, achieving the highest fire ratings available. As a result, the building was constructed on the property wall to maximize its space. The concrete masonry material takes time to heat up and then several hours to release the heat, creating a thermal sink that passively heats and cools the building. The massive walls absorb energy during the day and at night, the heat is released.

Modernist Marvels

On the Cover: Local buildings take an old-school approach to present-day challenges

Back Photo gallery Sep 16, 2014 By Laurie Lauletta-Boshart

The clamor for energy-efficient buildings and sustainable architecture has permeated every facet of today’s architectural industry. Green architecture is as commonplace now as orderly columns and elaborate facades were at the turn of the century. Organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council, with its Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification, have become the gold standard in the architectural community and have transformed the way buildings and communities are designed. With modern-day best practices, higher public awareness and technologies that support the pursuit of maximum efficiency and minimal energy consumption, structures are becoming more and more sustainable.

During the middle of the 20th century, architects did not have the benefit of technologies or the support of the manufacturing and construction industry they enjoy today. Instead, they relied on forward-thinking and innovative approaches to create effective architectural solutions, like creatively using concrete, organic materials and passive energy design to solve environmental issues. They also learned to display 20th-century technologies through available materials and structural techniques.

Here we feature some of Sacramento’s most innovative, modernist buildings and the architectural solutions employed to achieve enduring and functional spaces.

Comments

Kathleen Stricklin (not verified) – February 1, 2016 - 10:37pm

I am looking for information re Arden Arcade mid century architecture

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