Gregory Bateson Building wins a Metropolis Planet Positive Award

Gregory Bateson Building Wins Metropolis Planet Positive Award

October 23, 2025

Social Sharing

We are proud to share that the Gregory Bateson Building is the winner of a Metropolis 2025 Planet Positive Award, under the “retrofit or repositioning” category.

The award winners represent excellence in sustainability, health and wellbeing at every scale in the built environment. With over 50 categories across projects, innovation, products and people, the Planet Positive Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the progress being made toward designing a better future.

The Gregory Bateson Building is an incredible, future-focused transformation, led by CannonDesign, McCarthy Building Companies and the California Department of General Services (DGS). As one of the first progressive design-build projects in DGS history, the renovation embraces the building’s pioneering spirit while updating it for 21st-century performance and wellness.

Explore the project
Gregory Bateson Building Atrium Fan
The original fabric tubes hanging from the atrium were originally designed as circulation fans.
Gregory Bateson Building 9
Gregory Bateson Building Collaboration Room
Employees of California State Agency and DGS Facilities Maintenance work in the Gregory Bateson Building.

Testimonials

  • The Metropolis Planet Positive Award for this project recognizes the importance of preserving the history of sustainable design and shows that a well-qualified team can adhere to historic preservation standards with high performance outcomes, reasonable costs and a fast-paced schedule."

    Ian Merker Project Architect

The Gregory Bateson Building exemplifies a commitment to sustainability through extensive modernization efforts. It retains the historic appearance of the unique exterior and atrium while transforming the interior into spaces that prioritize both environmental and human wellness. This project not only revitalizes a historic building but serves as a model for integrating modern sustainability principles into renovation projects.  

Check out all the winners here
Gregory Bateson Building 11
The atrium of the Gregory Bateson Building.

Explore more