Mon, February 13, 2012 9:28 am EST

High-Tech Military Facility Designed, Built by Stellar Opens to Praise

Stellar, an architecture, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm, celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art technology center aimed at single soldiers last month.

Stellar, an architecture, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm, celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art technology center aimed at single soldiers last month. Stellar provided architectural, engineering and construction services for the high-tech concept facility, called the Warrior Zone, located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington.

At the Jan. 27 grand-opening event, service members got their first look at the highly anticipated facility. Soldiers cheered as the facility was hailed “the biggest and the best” such facility in the nation.

Construction began on the 29,000-square-foot building in September 2010 and was substantially complete October 2011. Stellar created a distinctive postmodern design using juxtaposing geometrical shapes, translucent panels, exposed structural beams and other unique components. The result is a distinctive brand that stands out from traditional military buildings and will be replicated in other locations. Similar to a department store, soldiers will instantly recognize Warrior Zones on other bases and be familiar with the amenities offered.

“We were honored to not only design and build this important facility, but also to help create the overall Warrior Zone brand,” said Richard M. Lovelace, divisional vice president of Stellar’s Commercial Division. “As it competes with off-base entertainment options, it was essential to break free from the traditional military design mold.”

In addition to the unique architectural brand, Stellar designed the facility to Silver LEED certification standards. LEED – or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.

Instead of venturing off base to unwind, the military hopes the facility will entice young soldiers to stay on base within walking distance of their barracks. Funded by the military's Morale, Welfare and Recreation program, the Warrior Zone features $1 million worth of high-tech equipment, including 16 game stations with 55-inch high-definition monitors for X-Box and PS3 video games, computers with high-speed Internet access, more than 50 high-definition 52-inch TVs equipped with DirecTV, and 32 Alienware custom gaming computers. Soldiers can play against each other as well as soldiers stationed at other bases.

In addition to the high-tech features, other amenities include pool tables, a movie theater, restaurant and bar, and 4,000-square-foot covered patio. The Joint Base Lewis-McChord facility is the second Warrior Zone in the nation.

In addition to the Warrior Zone, Stellar’s federal experience includes exchanges, lodging facilities for military personnel, fuel stations, youth activities centers and recreational centers. Stellar holds a Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery (IDIQ) contract with the U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) G9 Division, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) services.

About Stellar
Stellar is an architecture, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm. Using a fully integrated approach, Stellar’s team of more than 600 people worldwide create award-winning food and beverage processing plants; refrigerated warehouses; distribution centers; commercial, institutional and military facilities; and industrial refrigeration, mechanical, thermal, cooling and power systems. In addition to its Jacksonville, Fla., headquarters, Stellar operates 12 support locations throughout the United States and has offices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, China and Puerto Rico. The company also serves Central and South America, Europe and India. For more information, visit www.stellar.net.