The Ridgecrest Wastewater Treatment Plant is more than a piece of municipal infrastructure; it is a model of 21st-century industrial ecology. This new ground-up facility demonstrates how architecture can house and facilitate complex engineering processes to create a system that is not only functional but also regenerative. The project tells a story of integrated design, where a facility designed to treat waste simultaneously generates its own power, recycles critical water resources, and operates as a self-sustaining campus.¹

Developed for the City of Ridgecrest, the facility encompasses 12 new buildings, including administration and maintenance structures, a dewatering facility, and a digester control building.¹ Central to its sustainable mission is a cogeneration system that captures and harnesses waste gas for electricity production, significantly reducing the plant's operational energy footprint. This is complemented by over 200 kW of rooftop solar power, a comprehensive water recycling system for on-site use, and a demonstration roof-water catchment system, showcasing a multi-pronged approach to resource conservation.¹

Praxis's principal, Seth Dunn, served as Project Manager for the five-person architecture team while at Siegel & Strain Architects, leading the project from Schematic Design through Construction Documents.¹ This role was pivotal in ensuring seamless collaboration with the prime engineer, Provost & Prichard, to create a cohesive and high-performance facility.¹ This experience in managing the complex interplay between architecture and specialized engineering is central to Praxis's integrative design methodology, showcasing an expertise in delivering technically demanding industrial projects that contribute positively to their environment.