PROJECT DETAILS

The Airmen Training Complex 3 (ATC) building provides multi-disciplinary design and construction administration services for four 260,000 SF (each) dormitories to support the East Campus at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) and provides housing for Basic Military Training (BMT). The facility design, while unique, is well-coordinated with the Lackland AFB architectural vocabulary.

The East Campus is part of a multiple designed project that provides four of the eight satellite dormitory buildings in the BMT program. Each ATC facility houses a BMT squadron, including dormitory and administrative space. The ATC3 is designed to accommodate 1,248 recruits; 48 recruits per flight, and 24 flights per squadron.

Design Goals

The Campus establishes a new order for training facilities within the Lackland AFB context. The original RH&T dormitories were stand-alone facilities, scattered around the Lackland base. The consolidation of all BMT functions into a unified area creates a location on base specifically planned for BMT and will permit adjustments as the mission changes. The updated campus is consolidated and arranged efficiently to address the mission goals while providing an orderly, disciplined, and formal composition within the Lackland street grid. ATC3 provides a multitude of training spaces: exterior, sheltered exterior, and interior, which allows year round, continuous training for the troops.

Sustainable Design

The consolidation of multiple facilities into one campus allows the Air Force to reduce the structural footprint of their training facilities while also meeting future growth. Reduction of resources spent on utilities, infrastructure, and troop movement are not only accomplished through a more integrated campus and building design, but also within a structure that is designed to meet a 50 year life cycle.

ATC3 incorporated a number of sustainable features in order to achieve LEED Silver Certification. The external wall envelope is designed to provide thermal mass and continuous insulation for minimal heat loss and thermal lag. The roof system incorporates a high albedo finish and high insulation values to minimize heat gain. Window glass units are insulated with low-e coating and tinting to minimize heat gain. The dormitories provide daylighting with operable windows to permit mission continuance in situations where electrical or HVAC systems are not operating. All fixtures are low water using. HVAC systems are highly efficient, hydronic conditioned, multi-zone air handlers, and water chilling is accomplished with a cooling tower. Heating is through high efficiency modular boilers, while heat recovery is provided for exhaust air. Variable frequency drive units are provided for high-powered equipment. Lighting throughout the building is operated by occupancy sensing.

MERRICK DESIGN

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