This 11-story, pyramid-shaped mission-critical building is the Headquarters of the Department of General Services and became one of the first buildings in the United States to use seismic dampers. The structural system uses steel special moment resisting frames with fluid viscous dampers (FVD) that offer an elastic response to earthquakes and avoid business disruption after earthquakes. This structural system reduces displacements experienced by the building and its contents by reducing floor accelerations experienced by structural and non-structural components. By combining state-of-the-art engineering technology and a unique design, the Ziggurat became an award-winning structure and an icon of the Sacramento skyline.

Awards:
1998 Outstanding Civil Achievement Award in Building Design, Awarded by the American
Society of Civil Engineers
1999 Structural Engineering Excellence Award, Awarded by SEAOC