Two Projects Recognized by the NCMA
We're proud to announce that two of our projects have been recognized by the National Concrete Masonry Association and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (NCMA/ICPI) 2011 Design Awards.
Award of Excellence - Sustainability
State of California, Department of General Services, Central Utility Plant
Sacramento, CA
Department of General Services Central Plant Renovation

Judges Honorable Mention
Sacramento Zoo - Giraffe Barn Replacement and Viewing Deck
Sacramento, CA
Giraffe Barn Replacement and Observation Deck

A third project, the North Natomas Public Library, won the Merit Award for Sustainability with the Concrete Masonry Institute of California and Nevada in September. Great job, team!
DGS Central Plant Rated LEED Platinum
The DGS Central Plant Renovation Project has achieved LEED Platinum Certification! Located in downtown Sacramento, the Central Plant is a key state asset that provides heating and cooling for 20,000 employees across 23 state-owned buildings in the Capitol Area.
DGS produced a great short video about the CUP's environmental design and LEED Platium certification:
Office Blood Drive


The Nacht & Lewis family came together for a good cause this June by holding our first office blood drive. The BloodSource "Bloodmobile" pulled up to our front door at 600 Q and received donations from 40 volunteers. That's over 5 gallons of life-saving blood! Special thanks goes to Megan McCleery for putting the event together. Great job!
DGS Central Utility Plant Awards

The DGS Central Utility Plant has received the following recognitions:
•DBIA Western Pacific Region Excellence Achievement Award for a Civic Building
•Design + Construction Magazine's 2011 Building Team Awards - Bronze Award
The Central Utility Plant provides heating and cooling for more than 20,000 state workers across 23 existing State owned buildings in the Capitol Area. The 78,000 square foot plant is the largest district plant in the western United States. Currently, the project is tracking to be LEED Gold certified.
North Natomas Library Wins Sustainability Award
We're proud to announce that the North Natomas Public Library has received a Merit Award for Sustainable Design by the Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada (CMACN). Located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, this joint-use facility is shared by Natomas High School, Los Rios Community College, and the Sacramento Public Library. Its many sustainable features include: an efficient irrigation system, use of recycled construction materials, and an innovative, energy-saving roof design that provides abundant daylighting to the library space below. To see what the judges had to say about the project, click here.
Grid Neutral Award for Riverbend Elementary School

Riverbend Elementary School, a Nacht & Lewis Architects designed elementary school, has been awarded top honor among public schools in California as the first Grid Neutral Distinguished Campus. Steven Plaxco, Director of Facilities and Maintenance for Yuba City Unified School District received the award from the former California State Architect, David Thorman for its "outstanding integration of energy demand reduction and peak-energy saving strategies; use of energy efficient heating/cooling/lighting systems; and renewable power generation." More information(PDF)


Megan McCleery has been promoted to Marketing Assistant, where she will be using her talents to assist our marketing department.
Peggy Plutchak has joined Nacht & Lewis as our new receptionist. Welcome to the firm, Peggy!
Laura Wood will be joining the Board of Directors of the Sacramento chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) as Chair of the Technical Committee. Laura will be bringing her technical background in virtual design and construction to the group and will be addressing new opportunities for education and activities within the Sacramento chapter.