A new office campus in Sacramento pays homage to its past while welcoming the future.
With an aim to marry historic character with the modern interior design elements required for innovative technology, HGA Architects unveil The Cannery in Sacramento. HGA describes it as a fresh interpretation of corporate environments–an urban city–which provides access to easy collaboration within each tenant space, as well as collaboration and connectivity of tenants with each other through shared, gathering spaces and close amenities.
HGA recently completed the interior design of one of The Cannery’s first tenants, The Urban Hive. In addition, the design offers extended spaces including an outdoor shaded community square featuring a bocce ball court, large community tables and regularly scheduled visits by the local mobile food caterers.
When was the project completed?
2018
How much space?
Campus project; approximately 40,000 SF is complete so far.
Was this new or renovated space?
Renovated
SF per person?
150 PSF
Describe workspace types.
There’s a variety and balance of work space types. Some private offices, conference rooms, training rooms, open office zones, collaboration zones, break rooms, phone rooms and sleep rooms.
What kind of meeting spaces are provided?
A variety of meetings spaces are provided to enhance the flexibility of a variety of work styles and types.
What other kind of support space or amenity spaces are provided?
Kombucha on tap, beer on tap, a variety of technology capabilities, outdoor community park with bocce ball and food trucks, spaces for tenants to commingle.
What is the project’s location and proximity to public transportation and/or other amenities?
The project is located in the heart of Sacramento midtown area, immediately adjacent to public transportation, fitness, healthcare, churches, community center, farm-to-fork cuisine, outdoor activities, bike racks. All amenities are walkable.
Was the C-suite involved in the project planning and design process? If so, how?
Yes, most tenant improvements on campus are start-up, tech or R&D type services and involved owners/president/CEO stakeholders.
What kind of programming or visioning activities were used?
Space programming, staff involvement, visioning sessions and project space tours.
Were there any other kind of employee engagement activities?
Community/members of Urban Hive were engaged for relocation to this site. Feedback was given for types of amenities and adjacencies to nearby public transportation a must.
Were any change management initiatives employed?
Yes! They went from large, closed offices to more open collaborative spaces. An incorporated balance of work space types to accommodate needs for heads down, collaboration and everything in between.
Please describe any program requirements that were unique or required any special research or design requirements.
As Sacramento’s largest co-working community, we worked with The Urban Hive to design an office environment that encourages the organization’s guiding principles—connectivity, collaboration and innovation. The design developed by HGA was inspired by the dynamic and unique character of distinctive urban neighborhoods. The layout balances large scale interior spaces with intimate, “heads-down” areas that trickle out into common courtyards to promote collaboration. The courtyards, which directly access the city square, foster social interaction and community between users of all types and talents. HGA’s design solutions for the 12,000-square-foot space integrate intricate detailing that meets both the tenant’s programming needs and The Cannery’s shared design standards. For example, the office incorporates a visible raw edging of a brick wall that remains exposed at the entry of its main training room, supporting important programming of the space that requires privacy for seminars, while also offering transparency and borrowed natural light.
Was there any emphasis or requirements on programming for health and wellbeing initiatives for employees?
Emphasis is placed on providing high-performing, progressive workspaces where staff can feel at home and in control of their immediate work area. Providing open spaces with natural day-light and flexibility in work styles and positions is essential to the well-being of the inhabitants.
Were there any special or unusual construction materials or techniques employed in the project?
The vision for the Cannery was marrying its historic character with the modern interior design elements required for innovative technology, research & development and urban office tenants to envision themselves as a part of the campus. The exposed core of the building is now revealed; a significant departure from the traditional office environment found at the existing site. Interior elements suitable for today’s advanced tech campuses—open work areas, ample, natural full-height lighting and interior glazing partitions to create order—are also integrated throughout the property. At the same time, HGA’s design enhances and celebrates The Cannery’s raw beauty through materials authentic to the property, including brick, steel, concrete and divided lite glazing. Details such as structural beams, stamped numbers on each concrete column from the locations of original machinery and existing divided lite window systems nod to the history of The Cannery.
For specific examples, please describe the product, how it was used, and if it solved any specific problem.
The office incorporates a visible raw edging of a brick wall that remains exposed at the entry of its main training room, supporting important programming of the space that requires privacy for seminars, while also offering transparency and borrowed natural light. Many materials were selected through the Mindful Materials collaborative to incorporate straight-forward responsible products. Floor carpet tiles were used for elegance, absorption for acoustics and flexibility for the future.
What products or service solutions are making the biggest impact in your space?
- Interface Flor
- Wilsonart quartz and laminate
- CRL glass solutions
- Brick and mortar
What was the hard cost PSF/construction?
$85/SF
What is the most unique feature of the new space?
The property’s history played a significant role in the overall design inspiration for The Cannery. Starting in the early 1900s, the property served as the Libby, McNeil and Libby Fruit and Vegetable Cannery. After Libby’s closed its doors in the 1980s, the property was redeveloped to convert its existing canning warehouses into offices. In that retrofitting and renovation, the structure was covered up and its natural materials were hidden from floor to ceiling. The exposed core of the building is now revealed; a significant departure from the traditional office environment found at the existing site. Interior elements suitable for today’s advanced tech campuses—open work areas, ample, natural full-height lighting and interior glazing partitions to create order—are also integrated throughout the property. Details such as structural beams, stamped numbers on each concrete column from the locations of original machinery and existing divided lite window systems nod to the history of The Cannery.
Are there any furnishings or spaces specifically included to promote wellness/wellbeing?
Flexible workstations, firm lounge seating, collaboration zones, training tables, locally procured artwork sculptures that serve as furniture as well.
What kind of technology products were used?
AV/collaboration/communication/SCRUM/video conferencing across nation
Tell us more!
HGA closely teamed with Fulcrum Properties to transform The Cannery from an underutilized office property into the lively office campus it is today and continues to become. The firm established a cohesive design framework that is seamlessly carried throughout the campus yet offers diversity for all future occupants. This framework is also embedded in The Cannery’s Workplace Strategy, which stems from HGA’s developed research, experience and tools for creating ideal workspaces for each client. HGA partnered with Fulcrum to ensure an optimal and consistent tenant experience through the desired workplace strategy.
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[…] of how design can impact employee health and wellbeing while truly setting the stage for success is The Cannery, a once-underutilized office property and former fruit and vegetable cannery in the revitalized […]