Smud Customer Service Center
This LEED Platinum Certified project included the design of a major customer service complex and a campus master plan for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). MNA's scope of work included programming, building systems research, schematic design, and design development; environmental control systems design and modeling; transportation management plan; and environmental review.
The facility includes administrative offices for Customer Service, Personnel Service, and Energy Efficient Departments as well as an Energy Education Center, with a hands-on learning museum and retail space.
The campus master plan was designed to support a pedestrian connection to the 65th Street Light Rail Station and enhance the urban 'sense of place' on the SMUD campus and the light rail station. This urban theme was carried into the complex itself by clustering the buildings around a courtyard to reinforce a sense of community for workers and visitors alike.
Title 24 energy criteria goal was exceeded by 34%.
This project utilizes state-of-the-art workplace technology, including worker accessible controls for outdoor (operable windows) and indoor air flow, indoor air temperature, lighting, and access to varied work environments beyond the usual cubicle. Staff absenteeism was reduced by 33%.
The primary energy systems were designed to optimize integration of commercial energy technologies such as daylighting, indirect electric lighting, economizer systems, evaporative cooling, a central cooling plant which uses off-peak evaporative chilled water, and direct digital controls for all building systems. A 30kW photovoltaic system was incorporated into the roof.
In the SMUD parking lot design, water conservation tactics were used. Drainage flows into a specially designed landscaped area to obtain and purify the affluences from pavement systems.
Awards
1992 Citation Award
Sacramento Valley, American Institute of Architects
1995 Innovative Use of Technology Award
Sacramento Valley, American Planning Association
Concrete Building Award
Portland Concrete Association
Project Details:
Owner/Developer: Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Architects: Mogavero Notestine Associates / Williams + Paddon Architects
Consultants: Electrical/Mechanical: RBF Associates / Peter's Engineering / Landscape: Kelley Design Group
General Contractor: Rudolph & Sletten, Inc.
Total Site Area: 4.22 Acres / 184,000 Square Feet
Previous Use of Site: Parking Lot
Construction Details: New Construction
Project Budget: $37 Million
Date of Completion: 1996
Specialized Approaches
Ecologically sensitive techniques were combined with products that also kept green principles in mind.
- Infill site location;
- Energy efficient design - exceeded California's Title 24 requirements by 34% percent;
- Campus designed with strong pedestrian connection to Light Rail Station;
- Lowered parking ratio;
- Natural ventilation features;
- Orientation and shading allow for optimum day lighting and heat gain, occupancy sensors lower power use when areas are not occupied, a Programmable Energy Management System employed;
- Storage and meeting areas placed in the interior core and offices located at the perimeter to maximize day lighting;
- Stairways oriented to the grove to encourage stair use rather than elevator;
- Large windows, light shelves, and skylights admit controlled daylight into open offices, while operable blinds and louvers provide glare control;
- x photo sensors dim electric lighting in response to daylight; Task lighting supplements worker areas;
- Exterior shading and dual glazed windows with an opaque skin block direct solar gain along facades;
- Groves of native redwood trees filter sunlight into the 3-story glass lobby area, reducing solar gain in summer months;
- The large main entryway remains open during desirable weather providing natural ventilation.
- Large radiant heat panels in entryway floor warm pedestrians in winter months;
- A central mechanical plant and indirect evaporative and night cooling maximize energy efficiency, thermal energy storage lower power consumption and peak shift.