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 U.S. Department of Agriculture desired a new research and greenhouse facility to be part of the new Science Quadrangle within the “Old” campus of the University of Toledo. Bailey Edward’s design for the facility includes laboratory, office and conference areas and greenhouse space.

This facility is a Bio-Safety Level 2 laboratory research facility. A demonstration greenhouse and large conference area support the transfer of technology between growers and the general population. The facility will be utilized for on-site, on-farm research in nurseries and greenhouses. In addition, growers will visit the facility for the transfer of research findings, community gatherings and discussions of experiments.

The sustainable design includes elements such as a green roof, solar shading, rainwater re-use and bio-swales. The project is designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification.

Toledo, Ohio

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

Under a retainer contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, several projects were administered involving research facilities for the Agricultural Research Service. Bailey Edward assisted with value engineering and design review services for this Nutrient Management Research Laboratory and Animal Holding Facility. Research at these facilities involves a study of the affects of large herd dairy farming on the environment and dairy industry. Design review and value engineering services included recommending initial cost reductions, life cycle cost savings and improved building value.

The Nutrient Management Research Laboratory scope of work includes a Technology Transfer Center Laboratory. The scope of work for the Technology Transfer, Dairy Science Laboratory and Zoonotics Laboratory involves developing a design that meets the needs of the research program.

Marshfield, Wisconsin

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

The project plan for Chicago Public Schools’ Thomas J. Waters Elementary School is particularly noteworthy for its sustainability, feasibility and practicability. In response to the school district’s needs, Bailey Edward designed an additional educational space that could be flexibly used as both classroom and recreational space.

Energy-efficient features are fundamental to the original design and therefore attend every aspect of the resulting structure. The one-story addition features low-flow plumbing fixtures, solar panels and a hydronic, radiant-floor system. Landscaping for the school makes use of drought-resistant native plants throughout the premises, including a rooftop garden. Two 540-gallon cisterns filled with rainwater provide irrigation while the storm-water-management system’s bioswales reduce runoff. With all of the conceived green building innovations, the facility is designed to meet LEED Silver Certification.

Chicago, Illinois

Lincoln Hall, a century-old icon at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was in serious disrepair. Bailey Edward was appointed co-architect as historic preservationists, construction observers and liaison to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IPHA) and the Capital Development Board (CDB).

A feasibility study assessed both the exterior and interior, defining the scope of work to maintain the historic integrity of the building while significantly upgrading operational efficiencies to pursue LEED Gold certification. Execution of the study involved coordination of consultants to test and analyze materials such as original paint colors, type of plaster and wood species of windows and trim, and identification of cleaning techniques for the masonry and terra cotta. Sustainability objectives also dictated an in-depth window study examining the comparative efficiency of restoring existing windows and replacing them. Commissioned by the CDB and adopted by the IHPA, this study set an industry benchmark.

Urbana, Illinois

The State 4-H organization and the University of Illinois’ Arboretum, a department of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, are joining forces. Bailey Edward was charged to create a new multi-purpose facility for these users.

Set near the President’s Lawn on the southwestern edge of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus at the entry to the proposed Heritage Garden, the facility will serve the following functions: as the gateway to the gardens with exhibits on the plantings and alumni involved in both the 4-H and horticultural design; as an educational facility for both 4-H and the Arboretum with a 150-seat capacity Community Hall that can also be subdivided into three smaller classrooms; and as the administrative offices for the State 4-H, the 4-H Foundation and the Arboretum where common spaces such as exhibit areas and conference rooms are shared by all.

Urbana, Illinois