Sequenced Build-Out of Four-Building Campus Enhances Cost Efficiencies While Adding Logistical Complexity for Project Team

A scenic rock hillside peppered with dramatic rock outcroppings forms the backdrop for the landmark new 250,000-sq.-ft., four-building customer service center that DPR completed last fall for Blue Shield of California. Located on a 29-acre site in El Dorado Hills, CA, a Sierra Nevada foothills community, the campus’ tranquil setting stands in stark contrast to the rapid-fire pace of construction and demanding, sequenced completion schedule that DPR implemented in order to maximize cost efficiencies and meet the owner’s scheduling requirements.

Featuring tilt-up construction with structural steel frame and a mixture of curtain wall with steel and tilt-up on the exterior skin, the new campus consists of two 71,680-sq.-ft. buildings and two 50,176-sq.-ft. buildings. The center will house as many as 1,500 Blue Shield employees and provides amenities, such as a full-service cafeteria, fitness facility and recreational area.

DPR’s approach to overlap the construction sequence of all four buildings, completing them just two weeks apart from one another last August through October, delivered cost savings by making the project more appealing to subcontractors and resulted in a more competitive bidding process. However, it also created additional challenges for the construction team.

Collaborative Teamwork Overcomes Challenges

“We chose a schedule sequence that was inclusive of all four buildings, because many of the tasks were linked by systems, manpower or equipment delivery,” said Project Executive Neal Cordeiro.

Teamwork and coordination among the design and construction team and with the owner proved critical to the project’s ultimate success. “Fast-paced projects always have a little tension, but we all worked very well together and even managed to have a good time throughout the process with the architect, owners, and subcontractors,” commented Project Manager Rick Poipao.

In addition to the overall project schedule, another key challenge was completing the mass grading operation that required moving 230,000 cubic yards of dirt and rock. The volume of immovable rock encountered during the rough grading phase was more than expected and required the construction team to drill and blast the mountain in order to complete the grading necessary for the building pads. The amount of rock excavated also needed to be closely scrutinized as the rock was transported into the fill areas of the site.

Blending Into the Landscape

In order to make up for the 11 days needed for drilling and blasting, the construction team devised innovative methods to use or build around the rock, such as integrating more than 100 large boulders within the design of patios and landscaping. That integration of site materials into and around the structures was a natural extension of the overall design approach by architect LPA Sacramento, Inc. to ensure that the buildings harmonize with and complement the natural site colors and features. Their gray, blue, taupe and cinnamon colors tie in with the area’s natural metavolcanic and andesite rock.

Architectural highlights of the project include a curved bridge walkway connecting two of the buildings and enclosed outboard staircases extending from each of the four structures. The central driveway leads visitors to the main lobby, which features wood cantilevered stairs that wrap around a wall element and give employees and visitors an overall view of the lobby. The central lobby features stained concrete floors, extensive aluminum cladding and a 30-ft. tall mural of native grasses.