California Air Resources Board / Southern California Headquarters

APPROACH
California Air Resources Board Mary D. Nichols Campus in Riverside, California is a 403,306 SF headquarters and one of the largest vehicle emissions testing and research facilities in the world. Consolidating five former locations into a single campus, the project required a branded environment and wayfinding system that could support navigation across a highly complex workplace while expressing CARB’s leadership in environmental innovation.

A strategy grounded in clarity, movement, and identity shaped the design approach. Wayfinding and experiential graphics draw from CARB’s brand palette, while echoing the angular geometry of the architecture to create a cohesive visual language. Bold numbering, directional signage, and locational markings help users navigate expansive laboratories, testing bays, offices, and public areas with confidence. Key experiential moments include a custom portrait of Dr. Arie Jan Haggen-Smit—created from more than 1,200 sky images—honoring the legacy of air pollution research, alongside integrated donor and identity elements throughout the campus.

OUTCOME
The result is a highly legible and future-focused environment that transforms a large technical campus into an intuitive daily experience. The graphics program strengthens orientation, improves connectivity between diverse work zones, and reinforces collaboration across research and operations teams. By embedding identity and mission into the architecture, the campus reflects CARB’s pioneering role in advancing cleaner air, sustainability, and innovation for California’s future.

Work completed under ZGF Architects LLP