The Illinois National Guard needed a Readiness Center to replace two dated facilities. Bailey Edward’s design solution creatively utilizes substantial materials such as metal and brick to provide an architectural character that conveys the strength and trust that defines the National Guard’s mission, while achieving a modern, high-tech military facility. The design was featured in metalmag for its utilization of metal to express a strong visual presence. Extensive government guidelines regarding ceiling heights, roof types, and security measures were methodically incorporated into the design solution. SPiRiT Gold Standard rating, the military’s Sustainable Project Rating Tool prior to USGBC LEED, was achieved and long-term operating cost goals were met. An elaborate sustainability plan involved louvered sunscreens to reduce passive solar heat gain and bio-swales that remove 80% of suspended solids during storm water management.

Galesburg, Illinois

The current Army Aviation Support Facility, located at Midway Airport, is suffering from a diminishing safety zone between the apron and taxiway as runways have been extended and the size of commercial airliners increases. The new Army National Guard Readiness Center and Army Aviation Support Facility will incorporate a readiness center and an aviation support facility. The new facility will house three units: the 935th, B106 and Medivac.


Elements of specific importance include the hangar space which will be designed for UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, a weapons simulator training space and task-loaded combat simulated flight environments. Also of significance is the development of a design that meets Anti-Terrorism Force Protection requirements and involves LEED Silver sustainability measures.

Kankakee, Illinois

The first known presence of the Illinois National Guard in Urbana was a cavalry which has transitioned over the years to accommodate infantry and deployment staging activities. Bailey Edward is providing architecture and historic preservation services for the renovation of the Urbana Readiness Center built in 1937, under the Federal Works Projects Administration program.

A design charrette was performed to verify program requirements, functionality of the facility and to accelerate the schedule. The scope of work includes a three-story interior addition; ADA and systems updates throughout; and, rehabilitating the exterior of this National Register of Historic Places eligible structure, which involved upgrades to meet Department of Defense Anti-Terrorism Force Protection standards without violating Illinois Historic Preservation Agency standards. The scope of work also provides for space for office, classroom and storage space; additional military and public parking; and, security lighting and fencing. This renovation is designed to achieve LEED Gold.

Urbana, Illinois

A one-story and two-story addition housing an additional 130 soldiers of Forward Support for the Army National Guard was designed within a nine month schedule. Bailey Edward undertook a design charrette to ensure the program and speed the design process. The scope of work includes administrative work areas, training/classrooms and locker rooms. Vehicle parking was also expanded for military and public use.

Sustainability features were determined through the use of daylighting studies and energy modeling which aided in locating solar shades and solar walls, as well as aided in placing solar tubes sizing of windows and quantifying artificial lighting needs. This addition is in the process of achieving LEED Silver Certification.

Milan, Illinois