Wisconsin National Guard Addition & Renovation
Bailey Edward Design, Inc. · Appleton, WI
Overview
Honoring the history and pride of the Red Arrow Brigade through emblematic color, historic exhibits, graphic murals, and sustainable materials, the Appleton Wisconsin Army National Guard carries the values of honor, integrity, and duty by creating a welcoming and collaborative environment to support mission success, recruitment, and retention.
Through moments of dramatic attention to the identity and history of the Red Arrow Brigade, the Wisconsin National Guard Addition and Renovation carry values of honor, integrity, and duty to attract and engage both new and experienced soldiers. To transform the unremarkable facility into a showcase of the battalion’s heritage, the design team wrapped the addition around three sides of the building, increasing square footage within the site’s limited availability while also meeting Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection requirements. A dynamic, cantilevered red roof mimics the Red Arrow iconography, for which the 32nd Division is named, while allowing a peek into the timber construction within. This welcoming new entry creates a new landmark building in the community where once a plain brick building stood. 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 structural 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 corridor, allowing visitors and soldiers to travel through time with those who have served our nation from 1858 to the present day. By renovating and creating an addition to the existing facility, the Wisconsin National Guard demonstrates its commitment to the environment and available resources. 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, red-list free finishes and materials emphasize the wellbeing of the soldier Type of Construction Renovation/Addition
Gallery