The design intent for the facility included reflecting the time-honored forms of the Fort Lewis design vocabulary by expressing the “technology” within using modern materials and design accents, such as anodized aluminum panels and entrance treatments. A central “roof well” was utilized, offering several advantages for the project and its sustainable goals; scale reduction, opportunity for daylight and views, less volume of conditioned space, provision for exterior equipment that is easily screened and acoustically treated. The design allowed flexibility, to accommodate simultaneous exercises of varying size, through reconfigurability in the classroom, auditorium and simulation exercise areas. A three-day “Design Charrette” was held to bring the designers, engineers, consultants, users, facilities and management groups all together to refine the scope and programming. The charrette included group programming sessions, in which project needs and space requirements were defined.