A catalyst for workplace culture and community

The design of the headquarters is shaped by its environment and the people it serves. Inspired by the character of the historic Gadsby Power Plant, it translates the district’s industrial past into a modern, efficient, and human-centered workplace. Its efficient structural system and thoughtful exterior form create a high-performance, adaptable environment and establish a distinctive presence on the skyline. As the first building of the Power District—located between Salt Lake City’s downtown, the airport, and the Jordan River waterfront—the headquarters sets the tone for the development of a new neighborhood that brings together sports and entertainment, residences, and workplace.

The building steps back at the southeast corner to create a generous entry plaza, signaling a welcome to employees and visitors. Shaded seating, native plantings, and pedestrian-scaled pathways make the plaza an inviting place to pause, gather, or pass through on the way to the district’s greenbelt. The ground floor extends this sense of welcome with a glass-clad base housing programs tailored to Rocky Mountain Power’s public role. An accessible lobby passes through the entire building, linking the southeast entry plaza with the northern public park and green belt. Exhibition space within the ground floor celebrates the company’s history; it includes educational areas and a conference center supporting public events and outreach.

Engineered for efficiency and well-being

The building’s structural system is designed to support Rocky Mountain Power’s operations. A highly efficient center core and clear 30-by-30-foot structural grid enable open, flexible workspaces that can adapt to evolving departmental needs. Perimeter columns maximize views, while marrying engineering rigor with architectural clarity. This adaptability ensures that the building will remain resilient and cost-effective, supporting both current operations and future growth.

The workplace connects to outdoor terraces and balconies on nearly every floor, bringing in daylight, fresh air, and views of the Wasatch Mountains. Two multistory, open-air loggias, known as the “ridge” and the “summit,” define the building’s form and identity. The ridge, positioned on the west facade, spans multiple levels with stepped terraces, visually scaling the tower against its surroundings. Higher on the east facade, the summit, together with an amphitheatre-like stair, becomes a signature setting for large gatherings. Additional amenity terraces on the podium continue this integration of landscape and workplace. On the third floor, outdoor spaces extend directly from the wellness center and breakroom, offering employees a place to recharge, connect socially, or simply enjoy the outdoors. Together, these spaces make access to nature not just an amenity but a defining feature of the headquarters.

Expressing corporate identity through architecture

This new all-electric headquarters expresses Rocky Mountain Power’s mission to power a bright future for the communities it serves. Each side of the building is treated with equal care, transforming what might typically be considered “back of house” into a meaningful part of the whole. The service utility yard, home to critical power equipment, testing areas and energy storage system, becomes a visible extension of the company’s mission. Enclosed with an expanded metal mesh material, the yard reveals the infrastructure of energy production, turning functional elements into a demonstration of innovation and service. For employees, it is a daily reminder of the purpose behind their work; for the public, it offers a glimpse into the systems that keep communities running.

The overall building design reinforces this identity. Its distinctive multistory loggias give it a recognizable presence on the Salt Lake City skyline. These sculpted forms create a dynamic silhouette, marking the headquarters as both workplace and landmark.

At the ground level lobby, materials and finishes including brick, copper, and glass evoke the legacy of the site, while contemporary detailing brings a sense of warmth and craft. A custom installation of glass insulators, suspended as luminous sculpture, recalls the infrastructure of power lines and symbolizes Rocky Mountain Power’s role in connecting communities across the region.

Collaboration for a future-ready workplace

The design emerged from a highly collaborative process, with principles established jointly with the client and decisions made transparently to balance creativity, budget, and schedule. This disciplined approach yielded a design that is resilient, cost-effective, and deeply contextual. More than a headquarters, the Rocky Mountain Power building is a statement of values: a workplace designed around people, a landmark that honors history while looking forward, and a catalyst for the transformation of the Power District.