West Des Moines Army National Guard Readiness Center
A readiness center facilitates the training, administration, and logistics of National Guard units. It does so by providing assembly areas, classrooms, storage for weapons and personal protective equipment, and training spaces. The Iowa National Guard Readiness Center, located in West Des Moines, is a single-story building spanning 50,350 square feet. It serves two National Guard units: Company B 1-168 Infantry and the 2168 Transportation Company.
The new facility is situated on a 35-acre plot owned by the City of West Des Moines. The National Guard will lease this land, and in exchange, the city will have access to the facility for community recreation and gatherings. This mutually beneficial arrangement serves the interests of both the City of West Des Moines and the National Guard.
Keeping the National Guard’s strong focus on sustainability in mind, the design incorporated several eco-friendly features and earned it a LEED Gold certification. Features included a green roof over the office, geothermal heating and cooling systems, passive solar technology, photovoltaic cells, and high-efficiency LED lighting equipped with motion sensors to further minimize energy consumption.
The military’s rigorous security controls and safety measures were also applied to the on-site solar field. The process of securing the field necessitated detailed documentation and an exhaustive commissioning process. This ensured that the facility not only complied with military standards but also made significant contributions to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Stahl has been outstanding in their role and great to work with.
- Michael Brothers
Iowa Department of Public Defense
Iowa Department of Public Defense
Making Strides in Sustainable Building
The West Des Moines Readiness Center is pursuing LEED Silver certification, a move that will not only contribute positively to the environment but also enhance the well-being, comfort, and efficiency of the National Guard staff and the local community who utilize the facility.
A key aspect of securing LEED certification is the implementation of a rooftop solar energy system. It will capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, reducing the amount of energy drawn from the grid. This process effectively offsets electrical consumption, leading to energy savings and a smaller carbon footprint.