News Release (C-3-98)

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For Immediate Release (C-3-98) Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670 May 29, 1998

State-of-the-Art Environmental Design Team to Help Build Cal/EPA Headquarters

SACRAMENTO - The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) and the Department of General Services (DGS) have announced today the addition of Gottfried Technology, Inc. of San Francisco to the environmental design team for the new Cal/EPA headquarters to be built in downtown Sacramento. The consultant joins the developer, construction company and other state representatives to help ensure that the building and its construction are environmentally sensitive and fiscally sound.

"Gottfried is a leader in environmental design," said Cal/EPA Secretary Peter M. Rooney. "We are pleased to bring additional expertise into this process to enhance our efforts in constructing an environmentally-smart building."

"We think you can be environmentally savvy and fiscally prudent at the same time," said Department of General Services Director Peter Stamison. "We are proud to have Gottfried on board to help us accomplish that goal."

The 25 story, 950,000 gross square foot structure will be home to 3,000 employees working for Cal/EPA's boards, departments, and offices; the Department of Conservation; and the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.

The $150,000 consulting contract calls for coordinating a "green team" of outside experts, building designers and development personnel who will work to strengthen the environmentally-friendly features of the building. The team will evaluate resource and energy efficiency, waste minimization and improve indoor environmental quality, and will identify potential areas where "greening" of the building could be enhanced within the existing budget and schedule.

The Cal/EPA Building incorporates many environmental advances in its design. Recycled materials, including recycled steel and concrete, are being used to construct the building. Floor plans designed to take maximum advantage of natural light, together with the use of "smart light" and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are being used to hold lighting costs down. The air conditioning system has been designed to feed fresh air, instead of just refrigerated air, to every floor of the building, with the result that the building will be 36 percent more efficient than required by the state building codes.

Groundbreaking for the Cal/EPA building is scheduled for June, 1998.

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1998 Releases | Archived Press Releases