Joint Force HeadQuarters
Hanscom Air Force Base, MA – Nauset Construction and the Massachusetts National Guard held a ribbon cutting to commemorate the grand opening of the Joint Force Headquarters following completion of the $20.7 million Phase II of the LEED Silver project. With the completion of Phase II, the 172,000sf HQ, located at Hanscom Air Force Base, is now fully operational. The celebration was held in conjunction with the 377th birthday celebration of the National Guard, and over 100 people were in attendance.
Phase II of the project entailed construction of an 80,000sf state-of-the-art office building that was adjoined to a newly constructed 92,000sf facility. In addition to the office functions, the new facility features classroom space and an outdoor amphitheater for lectures as well as an emergency operations center for the National Guard.
Designed to resist the effects of earthquake motions, the new headquarters replaced a three decade old outmoded structure in Milford with a 21st Century, sustainable facility that incorporates the latest energy efficient technologies and security systems. One of the special design features of the facility is a multi-story lobby with a skylight that will serve as a museum to feature artifacts from the 377 year history of the Massachusetts National Guard – the oldest military organization in the United States.
—————————–more
The project presented a number of challenges, most notably the integration of the MEP systems between the two buildings while allowing the existing building to remain fully operational within the setting of an occupied and highly secure military base. “The completion of Phase II of this complex project is a testament to the outstanding cooperation and teamwork between the Massachusetts National Guard, the Kleinfelder architectural team, our subcontractors and Nauset,” said Papantonis. “This project required not only thorough pre-planning, but also constant communication between all parties to ensure the project’s timely completion.” Nauset completed Phase II of the project on schedule and within budget despite the challenges.
“This is a very attractive, very green building that works very well,” said Robert Brandon, Senior Principal at Kleinfelder, that designed the new headquarters. “The idea of this lobby becoming a museum for this extensive collection of artifacts further enhances the character of the facility.”
Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, voiced his approval for the new headquarters, stating “Moving to Hanscom Air Force Base strengthens both the Massachusetts National Guard’s state and federal mission by offering improved physical and data security, superior bandwidth, appropriate military infrastructure, around-the-clock-security, an airfield to accommodate helicopters, and is strategically located in an area that allows the Guard to respond quickly in support of our neighbors in the event of a domestic emergency.”
