Jahn has completed the state-of-the-art facility to house and expand the collections of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library. The library relocated its operations from Chicago to the new Archives Center in Somers, a village in Kenosha County approximately 30 miles outside of Milwaukee.
From its inception, the Pritzker Military Archives Center was envisioned to place flexibility and innovation at the forefront. The new 15,000 SF facility features exhibition space and below-grade archival storage, providing Wisconsin residents and visitors with an immersive museum experience. It supports the organization’s mission to increase the public’s understanding of military history, highlight citizen-soldiers’ contribution to bettering civilian life, and build upon the relationship between the armed forces and the people they serve to protect.
“We are proud to have been part of the collaborative team that brought our client’s vision for the Pritzker Military Archives Center to life,” said Evan Jahn, President of Jahn. “From start to finish, our design has been shaped and informed by our shared commitment to the center’s mission of learning from past conflicts so we can help prevent future ones.”
The Pritzker Military Archives Center employs a 36-foot structural grid system where 390-foot trusses act as bearing walls to support the roof and provide lateral stability. The cantilevered roof frames an outdoor exhibit space, presenting an open and inviting image to visitors and creating a striking presence in the landscape. The elevated roof and expansive interior maximize both functional efficiency and visual impact, providing optimal working conditions for staff and an inspiring environment for visitors.
This design is inspired by the shape of the World War II-era landing craft. The building’s exposed steel-frame structure is painted a bright red – the color of courage, and clad in high-performance glass. Inside, A partial-height glass partition reveals the private workspaces of curators and archivists to the public, offering a unique glimpse into the intricate process of preserving history.
Spanning 17.5 acres, the grounds of the Pritzker Military Archives Center reflect a deep commitment to environmental preservation. With less than 4% of the total area allocated for buildings, the landscape planned by our project partner O2 Design ensures the protection of the nearby wetlands. The community area includes green walking and biking trails, as well as dedicated picnic spots. Sustainable practices are integral to the site’s design; rainwater is harvested for irrigation and a 50,561 kWh solar field provides electricity for the entire site. Jahn worked closely with consultants at Cyclone Energy Group and contractors at Pepper-Riley Construction to achieve the client’s vision for a high-performance building.The center not only serves as a repository of military history but also stands as a testament to the close integration of architecture and engineering, which has defined Jahn through its 60-year legacy.
Architect: Jahn/
Helmut Jahn FAIA, Philip Castillo FAIA, Tobias Dold, Graham Bowman, Lucie Rigaldies
Landscape Architects: O2Structure: WSPMEP/FP: Cosentini
Civil: Terra Engineering
Lighting Design: Reed Burkett Lighting Design
Acoustics: Threshold Acoustics
Energy/Comfort: Cyclone Energy Group
Client: Archives & Armory of PMML WI LLC
General Contractor: Pepper-Riley Construction
Photography: Tom Rossiter