Project

California Military Department Consolidated Headquarters Complex

When it came time to build a new 285,000-squarefoot headquarters and training center, the California Military Department (CMD) was committed to devising a plan that would protect the environment, integrate with the existing neighborhood and give the National Guard and other California Military Department entities the resources and facility necessary to continue to serve.

Our team helped secure funding for the project and draft a two-step design-build RFP package for the state-of-the-art headquarters. As the prime architect-engineer, we collaborated with CMD to determine the needs, identify the necessary programming requirements and standards, and then transform those needs into a biddable document that would attract the most qualified candidates for the job.

We prepared a thorough Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to meet the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)’s broad environmental requirements. The EIR assessed the project’s environmental impacts related to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, aesthetics, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, biological resources, cultural and paleontological resources, geology, hazards and hazardous materials, land use, noise, tribal cultural resources, traffic, and water resources. In addition to preparation of an EIR and associated technical studies, we conducted a robust public involvement strategy to engage community stakeholders.

Client

California Military Department

Location

Rancho Cordova, California

Region

West

Service

Federal & Military

Industry

Government & Military

Using energy modeling, feasibility studies and financial analyses, we helped CMD determine how it could own and operate its own photovoltaics (PV) that could be used to isolate from the grid instantaneously during outages, allowing critical operations to continue during natural disasters or other emergencies.

One of the primary goals of the project was to find a way to integrate the new headquarters seamlessly with its neighbors, including the nearby Mather Airport. This was accomplished by creating specific guidelines in terms of the facility’s scale and materials, as well as a robust public outreach effort to address the public’s concerns.

Scope of Work

RFP development

Environmental Impact Report

Energy analysis and modeling

Feasibility studies

Financial analyses

Programming studies

Design charrettes

Project review conferences

The CMD manages readiness and mission response for local, state and national emergencies. Collaboration is essential for its ability to meet the ongoing needs of the community, but its existing offices were housed in multiple facilities the state was leasing throughout the Sacramento area. CMD needed its own central facility to provide training and emergency response services, as well as serve as an operations hub for the department.

The state of California owned a 30-acre site in Sacramento County’s Rancho Cordova that would provide an ideal location for a headquarters facility, but CMD had specific requirements it would need this new facility to meet.

The multibuilding campus would need to house up to 900 staff members and 39 CMD user groups, and it would also need to blend in with the existing neighborhood and a nearby elementary school.

The use of sustainable features and alternative energy strategies was also a priority as CMD strived to meet the state’s Zero Net Energy (ZNE) initiative under CA Title 24 and aimed for a minimum of LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Incorporating these environmentally conscious aspects would help CMD reduce the overall impact on the environment, lower energy and operating costs, conserve resources, and optimize performance and productivity.

exterior view of facility with electric vehicle charging stations in foreground and military tank in background

interior view of lecture hall from back of room looking down toward stage

interior view of entry space at ground level, including reception desk with flags overhead

Project Features

Innovative headquarters facility that brings together the California Army National Guard, the California State Military Reserve, the Northern California Emergency Operations Center, CMD Environmental Services and more entities in a central location

24-hour secure Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

California Army National Guard Readiness Center

Storage warehouse facility

Badging center

Support buildings for flammable storage, emergency generators and additional operations space