PG&E Electric Safety Training Center

PG&E Electric Safety Training Center

COMMERCIAL OFFICE / EDUCATION

PG&E Electric Safety Training Center

ROLE: Architecture & Interior Design
CLIENT: Pacific Gas & Electric
DESIGN BUILDER: Turner Construction Co.
SUSTAINABILITY: LEED Gold NC -Substation Building
LEED Silver ID+C – Existing Main Building
 
AWARD: ENR 2020 Regional Best Project for Green Category (North)

PG&E Livermore recently opened its new Electric Safety Training Center, the first de-energized substation training site in the U.S. Here, the focus is on safety training for electric substation operations and maintenance. The new training site, designed by RIM Architects, will provide a safe environment to train, validate, and assess substation employees in realistic simulated field conditions, complete with full-size training poles and mini-residential buildings. The centralized location provides seamless training from classroom laboratory to outdoor facilities. The training center accommodates an estimated 4,400 annual student training days for 775 crew leads/sub foreman, electricians, substation inspectors, and utility workers.     

PG&E Center for Gas Safety and Innovation

PG&E Center for Gas Safety and Innovation

COMMERCIAL OFFICE / EDUCATION / BRANDING

PG&E Center for Gas Safety and Innovation

ROLE: Architect of Record, Interior Design, Construction Administration
CLIENT: Pacific Gas & Electric
PROGRAM:

25,000 SF: Offices, Breakroom & Materials Library, Conference Room, Workshops, Technical Testing & Training Rooms 

PRESS: PG&E Opens New 25,000-Square-Foot Center for Gas Safety and Innovation
PHOTOGRAPHY: Paul Mourraille
RIM completed the design for this showcase project for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The scope of work included relocation and consolidation of three individual PG&E groups from existing locations in Concord and San Ramon to one, new consolidated operations facility in Dublin, California. The functions of the three groups vary. The responsibilities for the Test Lab group involve testing, evaluation, and implementation of measurement and control devices and systems used throughout the PG&E system. The Measurement & Procedures group activities include research, testing, and evaluation of new gas construction methods, tools, and technologies. Lastly, the Non-Destructive Evaluation group reviews gas operations methods, tools, and technologies. This new, combined building provides a workspace for approximately 50 employees with varying workstation styles and collaboration zones. This state-of-the-art facility is a milestone for PG&E’s latest innovations and technologies with gas piping, design, and monitoring.
Pacific Buddhist Academy

Pacific Buddhist Academy

CIVIC AND CULTURAL / EDUCATION

Pacific Buddhist Academy

ROLE: Planning, Architect of Record, Interior Design, Construction Administration
CLIENT: Pacific Buddhist Academy
PROGRAM: 2-story, 10,800 SF, classrooms, lab, multi-purpose rooms, and Tea Room
PHOTOGRAPHY: Andre Brizzi
Pacific Buddhist Academy (PBA), was founded in Hawai`i in 2003, and by 2010 the academy outgrew its current location. With a goal to double its student population and continue to provide high-quality education, a larger facility was built to align with PBA’s mission and values.

As the first Shin Buddhist high school to open outside of Japan, and the first accredited Buddhist high school in the United States, PBA embraces Buddhist values, while at the same time seeking a diverse student body. PBA’s core mission is to educate students through enlightened learning and peace practice, so that they may become active members of their community. RIM and the design team created a flagship facility that embodies PBA’s core values and provides a space for students and teachers to grow and flourish.

KIRC Administration Building

KIRC Administration Building

COMMERCIAL / CIVIC AND CULTURAL / EDUCATION

KIRC ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

ROLE: Design Architect
CLIENT: Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC)
PRESS: KIRC Unveils Plans for New Center
A Voyage of Design
RIM provided concept designs for KIRC to use to receive financing and approvals. This 20,000 SF facility is designed with the Hawaiian culture as a centerpiece, complete with central community spaces, a cultural museum and collaborative office spaces. The building will facilitate educational, administrative, exhibition, and operational functions associated with the island of Kaho`olawe, along with activities supporting Native Hawaiian cultural practice. Specific uses within the proposed center include offices, a historical and interactive exhibit about Kaho`olawe Island, meeting spaces, classrooms, a visitor center, gift shop, and café. The proposed project will also include the development of an outdoor performance/gathering area, plant nursery, exterior interactive exhibits, parking and related improvements.