Urbana Readiness Center Renovation
Project Summary
The cavalry was the first known military presence which has transitioned over the years to accommodate infantry and deployment staging activities. We provided 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 office, classroom and storage space; additional military and public parking; and, security lighting and fencing.
This renovation achieved LEED Gold.
client
Illinois Army National Guard
location
Urbana, Illinois
size
83,000 sf
cost
$16.8 million
Specialties
client
Illinois Army National Guard
location
Urbana, Illinois
size
83,000 sf
cost
$16.8 million
Specialties
Respect for the Past
We respected the Armory’s original Art Deco style designed by architect S. Milton Eichberg. The armory’s design is streamlined and low slung, with long incised ribbons along the parapets and articulated entrances. The west entrance is accentuated by soaring vertical pilasters flanking the doors, topped with eagles, with a second set of soaring pilasters set back to the face of the drill hall. The south entrance is accentuated by the two-story office volume and flanking towers on both corners.