Comstock's magazine 1019 - October 2019 | Page 107

FIRM
DREYFUSS + BLACKFORD ARCHITECTURE
PROJECT
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY,
GAS SAFETY ACADEMY
LOCATION
Winters, California
As a significant advancement in training
practices, the Gas Safety Academy cam-
pus is a center of excellence for PG&E. It
artfully leverages architectural ingenuity
to incorporate industry best practices and
technology-led instruction, elevating the
standards of gas-pipeline safety to the
highest levels in the United States.
JURY’S COMMENTS
“Within the limitations of an industrial
building, this project achieves a certain
level of artistry with a low-opportunity
project type. The planning is very simple
and straightforward. In a building where
you would not expect much in the way of
exterior spaces, those that are created are
surprising and well considered. The interior
material palette feels elevated — polished
concrete and the use of graphics as way-
finding and as a way to highlight structural
moments is skillful. The architects were
able to maintain a level of clarity while ac-
commodating a very technical program. It’s
an honest expression of the function of the
building.” n
PHOTO BY DAVID WAKELY
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SUPPLEMENT
Go to aiacv.org/exparch
Go to aiacv.org to register
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