The National Steinbeck Center is a 22,000 square foot museum comprised of archive rooms, gallery space, executive offices, meeting areas, and shop and restaurant services. High-efficiency multiple rooftop-mounted HVAC units controlled by a central DDC computerized control system helped to achieve cost and performance goals. Full HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection design was provided with a high level of attention given to architectural, structural, and exhibit requirements. Meeting an aggressive project budget required a conscious and ongoing value engineering process by Axiom Engineers(sm) throughout the project.

The building received national acclaim and design awards when opened.