PROJECT

Space Battalion Readiness Center

Our team provided prime architecture and engineering services for the Space Battalion Readiness Center at Fort Carson in Colorado. The facility is the epicenter of Army National Guard Space Operations, and host of the 117th Space Battalion of the Colorado Army National Guard and two companies supporting the 1st Space Brigade performing satellite transmitted digital imagery for warfighting operations.

The greenfield facility includes more than 45,000 square feet on 15 acres. As a centralized location for federal, state and local personnel, the center provides a training ground for space forces to conduct continuous global space force enhancements, space support, space control and contingency activity.

The operations and training facility design includes mission-oriented team collaboration centers, technology-advanced workstations, equipment storage space and upgraded telecommunications infrastructure. It consists of two operations centers, a mission training bay, spaces for open storage of mission materials, classrooms, a vehicle work bay, a fire pump, soldier equipment storage and organizational support spaces. Design criteria included ICD/ICS 705 Technical Specifications for Construction and Management of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF). In addition, geothermal HVAC systems, LED lighting, stormwater solutions and more are aligned with standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. 

Client

U.S. National Guard Bureau

Location

Fort Carson, Colorado

Region

West

Services

Federal & Military

National Guard

Industry

Government, Military & Municipal

On-site work included site preparation, access roads, military and public parking areas, fencing, walkways, and utilities. The public parking lot accommodates 90% of total occupancy. The military parking area has space for 26 vehicles, 25 trailers and 12 storage containers in a lighted, fenced and secure enclosure north of the building. Water quality treatment and quantity measures were included, complying with Fort Carson’s stormwater standards. Support infrastructure also included geothermal well-based heat pumps, outside plant telecommunications, utilities and a standby emergency generator.

We conducted a value engineering study to identify alternatives that would generate potential cost savings of over $4 million. Project costs needed to be reduced to address expenses related to bringing in new equipment, an unexpected construction labor shortage in the area, extensive outside plant work, and an outdated programming document. After review and discussion by the project stakeholders, eight alternatives valued at $3.7 million were incorporated in the project design.

Scope of Work

Project management

Quality control

Civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection and telecommunications engineering

LEED and ASHRAE sustainable and high-performance design

Enhanced commissioning and building envelope testing