Sonoma Clean Power is a public power provider for Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Its renovated headquarters not only transformed an outdated facility into a functional and state-of-the-art workspace, but it is the world’s first GridOptimal® building. As part of the New Buildings Institute and U.S. Green Building Council joint program, the facility’s lights, HVAC, water heating, and 23 electric car chargers can all adjust to use electricity that is only drawn from the grid when clean power is available in California.
ZFA performed a preliminary seismic evaluation and feasibility study for the renovation, followed by full structural design and construction assistance services to facilitate the revamped open floor plan with strategically concealed MEP systems. Use of daylight through skylights and windows was a key project goal, and ZFA contributed to many design studies and key cost-benefit decisions to help achieve it. The second-story deck was an important design component—ZFA collaborated with EHDD Architecture to provide the vision of an outdoor, accessible space for employees. We also engineered specific design elements to mitigate impacts to a large heritage oak tree adjacent to the building. Helical piles were utilized as a cost-effective solution where new foundations conflicted with tree roots.
The headquarters is within walking distance of Sonoma Clean Power’s Advanced Energy Center—ZFA also completed a tenant improvement for this building, which serves as a place where the public can get hands-on experience with energy-saving strategies and products.