This defunct steelworks was purchased by the owner of a successful modern furniture store, located in San Francisco. He wished to upgrade the works, more in keeping with his design philosophy, and use it as a warehouse for both the San Francisco store, and for the new furniture showroom he was opening in Sacramento.

A great believer in the reuse of existing buildings, the owner was a pioneer, of sorts, in the gentrification of Del Paso Boulevard. The remodel featured here proved to be a catalyst for ensuing projects in the immediate area.

Working closely with the City of Sacramento staff and the Fire Department, the architect conceived the idea of turning the building’s façade into a blank canvas. Original windows were replaced with circular, porthole-style ones and rolling steel gates were designed, leading through to a covered steel trellis, which is used for parking and loading.

A variety of plants, from climbers to drought-tolerant natives, soften the building’s appearance, whilst providing much needed visual relief to such an urban thoroughfare.

However, the real feat of this project is the huge steel signage. Designed also by the architect, this novel signage required special permission from the City of Sacramento, due to its magnitude.

Crafted by a local artist, it is further backlit at night, and has become symbolic of the hope that the City placed in Del Paso Boulevard becoming a vibrant area once again.

credit: mark rusconi, principal-moniz and rusconi architects