Appleton Wisconsin Army National Guard Addition & Renovation
Bailey Edward Design, Inc. · Appleton, WI
Overview
Honoring the history of the Red Arrow Brigade through emblematic color, historic exhibits, graphic murals, and sustainable materials, the addition and renovation of the Appleton Wisconsin Army National Guard carries the values of honor, integrity, and duty by creating a welcoming, collaborative environment to support mission success, recruitment, and retention. With a new public entrance, gallery, offices, and training environments, the National Guard has the spaces needed to provide for and protect the community.
Through moments of dramatic attention to the identity and history of the Red Arrow Brigade, the Wisconsin National Guard Addition and Renovation carries values of honor, integrity, and duty to attract and engage both new and experienced soldiers. To transform the facility from an unremarkable building into a showcase of the battalion’s heritage, the design team wrapped the addition around three sides of the building. A dynamic, cantilevered red roof mimics the iconic Red Arrow while allowing a peek into the timber construction within. Visitors and soldiers are welcomed indoors with a gallery displaying awards and historic treasures from the Red Arrow Brigade’s past, including an in-floor exhibit displaying the original stone marker under a glass floor. As visitors and staff continue to make their way through the building, they are accompanied by symbolic marching soldiers: repetitive vertical panels and color blocks creating visual rhythm. The battalion’s history is outlined in a graphic timeline down a significant hallway, allowing visitors and soldiers to travel through time with those who have served our nation from 1858 to the present day. Timber construction mirrors the assembly hall’s original construction while making visible the National Guard’s commitment to the environment. Throughout much of the new addition, the timber construction is visible, creating a sense of warmth in the workplace environments. Health-conscious finishes emphasize the wellbeing of the soldier.
Gallery