Located in Richmond, California, the project constitutes the third phase of a master plan aiming at the consolidation of 18 health related agencies.

STUDIOS Architecture's design for the Department of Health Services office building conveys the public agency's commitment to innovation, while continuing traditional civic typologies.

All photos © Tim Griffith

The building’s large-scale linearity and extruded forms establish acommon identity with its two existing companion structures while stillmaking a unique visual statement.


The entry courtyard, which features asculpture garden with a sunken grass court and public seating, createsa significant and welcoming space for visitors and employees boththrough its architecture and its landscape.
Beyond the entryway, a central atrium feeds natural light into thebuilding. It follows the aspiration of the client’s representatives for the creation of a community-oriented space that helps the membersof the different agencies to meet, communicate and share differentideas. The atrium therefore serves as a community gathering space fornumerous DHS functions ranging from group staff meetings to all-handsassemblies.


The DHS building is equivalent to LEED Silver Standard. The design wasused as a demonstration project for the State of California'salternative sustainable design program: the "Energy Efficiency andSustainable Building Measures" (California Tier 1/ Tier 2 Measures).

Project Details and Credits:

Project Name: Richmond laboratory, campus phase iii, office building.

Client: State of California, Department of Health Services,

Location: Richmond, California

Architect: 
Studios Architecture, 99 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

Principal in charge: Charles Dilworth, AIA. Project manager: Alan Tom, AIA. Project architect: Elizabeth Sporer, AIA. Job captain: Ben Chuaqui, AIA, Designers: Tiffany Redding, AIA; Nicholas Tsuk, AIA; Enrique Sanchez; Will Huchting; Stuart MacDonald, AIA

Interior designer: Studios Architecture

Engineer(s): Civil, structural, geotechnical: Rutherford & Chekene
M/E/P, security: Mazzetti & Associates
Code consultant: Rolf Jensen Associates
Cost estimator: Saylor Consulting Group
Elevator consultant: Hesselberg Keesee & Associates
Sustainable building consultant: Sustainable Design Resources
Waterproofing consultant: Simpson Gumpertz Heger
Wind consultant: Cermak Paterka Petersen
Specifications consultant: Topflight Specs
Art consultant: Fine Art By Day
Landscape: SWA Group
Lighting:  Studios Architecture
Acoustical: Charles Salter Associates
General contractor: Swinerton Builders www.swinerton.com     Teecom Design Group

Size: 200,000 sf
Completion: August 2005

Awards:
Architecture Record/BusinessWeek Merit Award, 2006
The Chicago Athenaeum, American Architecture Award, 2006
Gold Nugget Merit Award and Grand Award, 2006
AIA East Bay Merit Award, 2005