10 STORIES ON 10TH AND O: A STATE OFFICE BUILDING COMES TO LIFE
10th and O Street: A new kind of public building
Public buildings in California tend to get a bad reputation because they’re boring. Functional, but not pleasant. And to be honest, how nice can a building be when it’s built with the same old boxy design, brown exterior, small windows, and whatever materials are on sale at the time?
Fortunately, this “build as boring as possible” was not the focus of the new state office building located on 10th and O Street in Sacramento, California. Instead, designers had loftier goals for this state government expansion site: sustainability, longevity, and beauty.
How 10th and O Got Started
California state government workers needed somewhere to work while the Capitol Annex was being renovated. The solution was a 10-story building with space for offices, meeting rooms, hearings, caucuses, and integrated parking.
General contractor, Hensel Phelps enlisted JWM for design-build plumbing. JWM has been a trade partner with Hensel Phelps for more than 30 years, and it was an honor to work alongside them once again on this project.
Our team of experts at JWM designed and installed all the essential plumbing systems:
• sanitary waste disposal and venting
• storm drain system
• domestic water piping
• condensate (boiler) system
• fuel oil system
Our goal was to build this as efficiently as possible and exceed California state standards for water and energy usage. We always strive to do what’s best for our clients, employees, and the earth on every project we take on, but working on this large-scale building that actually prioritized green practices was a dream.
How it went
Even before the first shovel of dirt was ceremoniously flung to the side, JWM was on the scene, planning possible solutions and predicting what else might come up. Everyone involved knew the project was going to be challenging, but JWM was up for the task.
As expected, the team ran into a few hurdles and roadblocks as the building process ramped up. The location of the building in downtown Sacramento meant extra attention had to be paid towards safely bringing in equipment and supplies within a busy commercial and pedestrian area.
No one likes when traffic is blocked, so the team – led by Kelly Haverty, Design Lead and project manager – worked hard to minimize disruption to surrounding buildings and businesses.
In addition, the timing of this build and install from 2019-2021 meant the crew – along with the rest of the state of California – dealt with a global pandemic, frustrating supply chain issues, and building material shortages. These made it more difficult to get what we needed, when we needed it.
Fortunately, one of the most notable characteristics of working with JWM is the universal focus on teamwork. The 10th and O Street project moved forward with a “team-first” energy that flowed among all of the trade partners, including Hensel Phelps. This was especially evident when the JWM field team worked closely with the office team to ensure any and all challenges were addressed, and solutions were executed.
Despite all the challenges, the team projected and delivered an on-time delivery that came in under budget!
Hold our drink while we collect our awards
We weren’t the only ones who thought this project was awesome. This project strengthened the relationship between JWM and Hensel Phelps, and it demonstrated once again our commitment to providing the building owner with a pristine product.
The 10th and O Street state office building also achieved some prestigious awards and recognition:
• LEED Platinum
• Zero Net Carbon
• Zero Net Energy
LEED Platinum is the highest level of LEED certification, meaning the building scored at least 80 points out of a possible 110. This prestigious recognition is awarded to buildings that save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and create healthier places for people.
From the beginning, the 10th and O Street building was designed to be extremely energy efficient. Zero Net Carbon and Zero Net Energy mean the building is self-sufficient and relies on 100% renewable energy sources.
This stunning building and subsequent awards and public recognition demonstrate that our team of design build contractors at JWM can take on any challenge that comes our way. If you are looking for a plumbing and piping design partner for a large project in the Sacramento; San Francisco; or Reno, Nevada metro areas, contact our office today. We’d love to work with you.
About JW McClanahan
Since 1940, J.W. McClenahan (JWM) has delivered innovative plumbing and piping solutions. We provide outstanding service and empower our partners and employees to thrive. We innovate to move the industry forward, and mentor to excite the next generation. From the jobs we create to the partnerships we nurture to the buildings we help construct, we exist to improve people’s lives and extend the legacy of excellence established by our namesake. To learn more or to get a quote on your next project, send us a note and we’ll be in touch with you as quickly as possible.
