The county's first zero net energy facility covers 142,000 square feet and is designed to generate the same amount of electricity it consumes over a year. The facility's landscape is inspired by a serene river theme. When entering through the front, guests will encounter a symbolic bridge that signifies a transition from illness to health. This could represent various aspects of well-being, such as physical, mental, financial, or occupational health.
“Healthier. I want to explain a little about what we mean by that word in our motto, [Building a Healthier Community Together]," said Rob Oldham, Department Director at Placer County Health & Human Services. "I want to broaden the meaning of that and talk about what that word means in the context of [Placer County] HHS. It includes physical health and the absence of illness, but it is much broader than that. It includes mental health, emotional well-being, environmental health, economic and financial health, and occupational health. It means that we work to have systems, environments, and cultures that make health truly accessible to everyone in our community. Not just intervening when people become sick, but helping to prevent them from getting sick to begin with."
"Our goal is to create an inclusive environment, where everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and cared for regardless of their life experiences and personal situation," said Gail Bouvrie, AIA, Lead Designer (formerly with AC Martin). "Our design solution welcomes families and individuals deserving to be seen and treated with dignity.”
The facility aims to bring together the six previously fragmented divisions into one building. This consolidation intends to foster collaboration and integration among the divisions, resulting in improved support for Placer County residents. The consolidation of these divisions under one roof offers a one-stop center for Placer County residents to access the services they need.
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The building also includes a conference center with meeting areas, both large and small, and training spaces at the west side of the building for use by county and community partners. There is also a designated play area for children, an employment center, computer access areas, open office spaces, indoor and outdoor patio and break areas, and a two-story open space called "Collaboration Street." This area promotes integration and collaboration among different program teams.
“Our collaborative design-build team with Turner Construction, driven by a shared commitment to sustainability, has created not only a building to serve the community but also the first zero net energy building in Placer County," said Tom Hsieh, President and CEO of AC Martin. "We are thrilled to extend our design reach into Northern California to enhance the region's health and human services infrastructure. This project emphasizes AC Martin’s dedication to innovation, collaboration, and the highest standards of environmental stewardship.”
