The $490 million Resources Building Renovation project enhances long-term functionality, sustainability and tenant experience for State of California employees.
National interdisciplinary design firm HGA today announced the completion of the Resources Building Renovation project in downtown Sacramento, California. The total building revitalization provides nearly 3,000 employees of the State of California, Labor and Workforce Development Agency with a modernized, adaptable workplace designed for maximum flexibility and efficiency. The renovation enhances long-term usability and tenant experience while upgrading the building’s infrastructure to meet modern sustainability standards, targeting LEED Platinum certification.
The full-scale renovation of the Resources Building at 1416 9th Street was delivered through one of the State’s first progressive design-build partnerships, bringing together HGA, California Department of General Services (DGS), AC Martin and Turner Construction Company in an integrated, collaborative effort to create a future-ready workplace. The newly renovated 17-story, 657,000-square-foot building serves more than 40 California Labor & Workforce Development Agency user groups across two major departments—the Employment Development Department and the Department of Industrial Relation, along with the Workforce Development Board and other boards and panels.
HGA’s scope of work included the design and planning of interior workspaces, common areas and lighting across the upper 15 floors, resulting in a cohesive and adaptable workplace that balances functionality and comfort. The overarching design leverages thoughtful material selection, color palettes and finishes to differentiate communal and individual work areas while maintaining a unified building identity. HGA’s design of interior spaces supports a flexible environment that accommodates a range of workstyles and evolving departmental needs, in addition to preserving historic features through close collaboration with architect of record, AC Martin.
“We were pleased to work with HGA again as part of one of our first progressive design-build partnerships, as they have been a trusted, longtime collaborator with California DGS,” said Nick Rossi, LEED AP, DBIA, project director lll at California DGS. “The firm’s deep history with our office projects and expertise in workplace strategy, programming and interior design were key to delivering new office environments for our agencies that meet the needs of today’s workforce while anticipating those of tomorrow.”
FUTURE-READY FLEXIBILITY
A primary objective for the California Department of General Services (DGS) in the Resources Building Renovation project was to ensure flexibility for the various groups that will occupy the office floors long into the future. As a result, HGA created a consistent floorplate framework that supports adaptability over time, allowing spaces to evolve with changing work patterns and departmental needs. The design achieves this through building systems and approaches that can be tailored by each tenant to meet operational and security requirements, including options for dedicated personal storage.
Each floor supports a mix of varied meeting and conference rooms, hoteling stations for hybrid employees and smaller focus rooms that provide privacy for calls and concentrated work. These consistent yet adaptable layouts enable departments to reconfigure easily as work patterns change, ensuring the building remains responsive to the future of work.
HGA’s design incorporates durable fabrics, surfaces and furniture while allowing flexibility to support a range of workstyles and needs on every office floor. Ergonomic features—including height-adjustable desks, universally compatible task chairs and user-tested monitor arms—create comfortable, inclusive workstations throughout.
HEALTHY, CONNECTED WORKSPACES
California DGS envisioned a workplace that balances collaborative areas with private spaces that emulate the comfort and functionality of a home office. HGA translated this vision into a highly efficient design, strategically integrating shared functions—such as conference rooms and scheduled workstations—where they support productivity and collaboration. Informal lounge areas and soft seating between work zones provide touchdown spaces for impromptu meetings and team interaction, while centralized staff lounges and coffee points offer distinct break areas that encourage connection and social well-being.
To foster a comfortable and healthy workplace, the design emphasizes employee wellness through abundant natural daylight on every floor, outdoor patios for breaks and additional wellness amenities on the main levels, designed by AC Martin. A connection to nature is reinforced through bright, nature-inspired interior finishes in blues, greens and yellows that bring the outdoors inside. Workstations were also designed to optimize sightlines—both within the office and toward the outdoors—while minimizing glare and visual discomfort.
“California DGS was deeply committed to creating an inspiring workplace that could evolve with the needs of California’s workforce,” said Beth Young, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, DBIA, principal and Public/Corporate practice group leader at HGA. “Our design supports that vision through a flexible framework that balances efficiency, comfort and connection—ensuring the building can adapt for decades to come.”
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- A full-scale renovation of the 17-story, 657,000-square-foot building delivered through one of the State of California’s first progressive design-build partnerships
- Ambitious sustainability goals, including carbon neutrality and targeting LEED Platinum certification
- Strategically modernized offices for nearly 3,000 state employees across more than 40 user groups
- Evidence-based workplace strategy, design and lighting by HGA (covering office interiors across the upper 15 floors), including:
- A flexible floorplate framework designed to support evolving work patterns and departmental needs
- Enhanced employee wellness through natural daylight, connection to outdoor spaces and biophilic interior finishes
- Durable, adaptable furnishings and ergonomic workstations supporting a collaborative, inclusive workforce
HGA DESIGN TEAM
- Beth Young, principal-in-charge
- Tiffany Coyne, project manager
- Angela Falla, project architect
- Jimmika Johnson, interior designer
- Jessica Paredes, interior designer
- Chrysanthi Stockwell, lighting designer
- Rich Bonnin, change management facilitator
PROJECT COLLABORATORS
- Turner Construction Company, general contractor
- AC Martin, architect of record
- Gilbane-Cypress, construction manager
About HGA
HGA is a national interdisciplinary design firm committed to making a positive, lasting impact for our clients and communities through research-based, holistic solutions. We believe that great design requires a sense of curiosity—forming deep insight into our clients, their contexts, and the human condition. We are a collective of over 1,000 architects, engineers, interior designers, planners, researchers, and strategists. Our practice spans multiple markets, including science and technology, corporate, cultural, education, local and federal government, and healthcare. Visit HGA.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
HGA Media Contact
Michelle Nelsen, Public Relations Director
mnelsen@hga.com