The Pritzker Military Archives Center is a purpose-built facility designed to house the ever-expanding collections of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library. The center serves as a resource for military scholars and the public, offering an immersive experience that highlights the contributions of citizen soldiers throughout history. The design is a modern interpretation of military equipment, drawing inspiration from amphibious landers used in World War II in Normandy. It embraces a rugged aesthetic with exposed fasteners and visible welds, yet remains highly refined. A high-performance enclosure protects the structure while regulating temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet radiation to preserve the valuable artifacts inside.
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Pritzker Military Archives Center
Cultural Architecture (Built)
Firm
Jahn/
Architect/Designer
Philip Castillo, FAIA
Design Team
Pepper Construction Company & Riley Construction Company, Inc. Joint Venture, O2 Design, WSP USA
Location
10475 12th Street, Somers, Wisconsin
Country
United States
Photographer/Copyright
©Tom Rossiter Photography
Website
https://jahn.studio/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/jahnarch/
Facebook
N/A
Whatsapp
N/A
The archives center was commissioned to accommodate a growing military collection, which includes books, papers, uniforms, firearms, and artifacts. Among its holdings are original artworks created by soldiers during World War I and World War II, as well as wartime posters and caricatures by artists such as Bill Maudlin. Given the sensitivity of these materials, strict environmental controls maintain a temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity at 42%. To achieve these conditions, the mechanical systems work in conjunction with passive elements like glazing and operable vents.
As the project evolved, additional features were integrated, including a small exhibition space and an outdoor ceremonial area. The design pays homage to the military through material choices, constructed elements, and landforms. The color palette is inspired by the red of the U.S. Marine Corps flag, a color symbolizing courage. Structural elements, such as the 320-foot-long trusses, function as perimeter bearing walls supporting the steel framework, which follows a 36-foot structural bay system. The glazing pattern reflects the structure while balancing red tones with black elements to create contrast and provide shading for interior spaces.
The building’s design is guided by two key principles: the raw, functional nature of military equipment and the precision and discipline of the armed forces. The landscape complements the building with rampart-like landforms lined with red-twig dogwoods and linear allies of regal oak trees, reminiscent of the wartime landscapes of northern Europe.
Flexibility is a defining characteristic of the facility, allowing for adaptation over time. The structural grid makes the construction methods readily visible, emphasizing transparency in design. The building systems are carefully integrated, with large glass panels clipped to steel profiles for a clean, constructed aesthetic. Coatings and a specialized frit pattern reinforce the structure while minimizing ultraviolet exposure to protect artifacts both in storage and on display.
The materials are deliberately simple and expressed in a straightforward manner. A steel trellis extends over the roof, defining the outdoor ceremonial space and reinterpreting the traditional cornice with a modern approach. Every element of the design serves a functional purpose. The construction and structure are visible and easily understood. Located in a rural area of southern Wisconsin, the site is accessible by automobile, bicycle, and foot. The 17.5-acre site includes walking paths, gathering spaces, and areas for contemplation, ensuring public access and engagement with the facility.
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