West Virginia Army National Guard Joint Interagency Training and Education Center (JITEC)
AECOM, in association with a local firm, is providing architectural and engineering design services for the Joint Interagency Training and Education Center (JITEC), an Army National Guard campus-style facility for training and operational mission support. Sited on 30 acres at the northern end of Camp Dawson between the Cheat River and the foot of Brier Mountain, this 283,000-square foot project includes the design of a new operations building; expansion of the billeting (hotel) facility; renovation of the training facility; creation of a new base entry checkpoint and visitor center; and design for walkway connectors between all the facilities. The new facilities are designed to meet all anti-terrorism/force protection criteria. This project is registered with the US Green Building Council and is pursuing for LEED-NC Silver certification.
JITEC is a training and educational facility – the vision behind the site design and updated master plan is that of a college campus atmosphere. The design intent is to create a campus environment that integrates existing buildings with new ones by using compatible, yet distinct building materials.
The new 82,000-square foot operations building is prominently sited as the main focal point upon entering Camp Dawson through the secure access control point and visitor’s center, also designed by AECOM. The building’s exterior complements its West Virginia setting. The entire building front, composed of glass and pre-cast concrete walls, is open and inviting with glazing that reflects the surrounding trees and hills. Security requirements for the command center influenced the design of the attached, copper-clad “black box” that is an homage to the native rock stratification seen throughout the state. The building consists of four distinct areas: the Joint Operations Center; a suite of secure training rooms; base headquarters and JITEC administrative offices; and a 6,000-square foot server and telecommunications room.