General John W. Vessey Readiness Center
General John W. Vessey Readiness Center
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Arden Hills, MN
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Minnesota Army National Guard
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149,735-SF facility houses training, equipment and administrative functions for Minnesota Army National Guard
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Training, administrative, secure and storage spaces
Flexible design accommodates variety of occupancy needs
Sustainable features include geothermal systems, photovoltaic arrays and EnergyStar equipment
LEED Gold Certified
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Architecture
Mechanical, electrical and structural engineering
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Grand Design Award, Society of American Military Engineers Design Awards 2022
Top Project Award, Minneapolis Finance&Commerce 2020
The General John W. Vessey Readiness Center serves as the new headquarters for the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division. This facility provides state-of-the-art administrative, training, secure work, and storage areas to support the division’s mission. The design divides the building into three distinct masses: Unit Support for secure storage, Administration for critical operations and communications, and a Common Use area that serves as a central hub for all activities. The facility is highly flexible, accommodating anywhere from 50 to 600 occupants depending on the activity, and is designed to support both daily operations and large-scale training events.
Sustainability and resilience were key priorities in the design, with the facility achieving LEED Gold Certification. The building incorporates geothermal systems, photovoltaic arrays, and EnergyStar equipment to maximize energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
