An extraordinary collaboration of architects, engineers, builders, and landscape designers made this highly complex project attainable.

Chicago, IL -- April, 2025 -- The Pritzker Military Archives Center has been completed in its new location in Kenosha, WI. This Jahn/ project is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts and expands the collections of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, a nonprofit institution formerly located in downtown Chicago.

Set on a 17-acre backdrop of farmland and landscaped gardens, the 15,000 SF center features exhibition space and below-grade archival storage, providing visitors with an immersive museum experience. The center houses nearly 120,000 military artifacts.

Jahn/ assembled a collaborative team of architects, engineers and builders whose combined expertise and innovation made this complex project possible. From the sustainability expertise of Cyclone Energy Group to the construction leadership of Pepper Construction-Riley Construction to the thoughtful landscape design of O2 Design, each partner played an important role in realizing Jahn/’s architectural vision and philosophy of integrated design.

See the official video of the Pritzker Military Archives Center project here. (Credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

“We are proud to be part of a collaborative team that brought our client’s vision 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 design is inspired by the shape of the World War II-era landing craft. The building’s exposed steel-frame structure is painted 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, providing a unique glimpse into the intricate process of preserving history. The grounds of the center also reflect a commitment to environmental preservation. Less than 4% of the total area is allocated for buildings. The landscape plan ensures the protection of nearby wetlands. Rainwater is harvested for irrigation and a solar field provides electricity for the entire site. A community area includes green walking and bike trails and dedicated picnic spots.

Just as it was intentional in every aspect of the design of the museum, the creators of the Pritzker Military Archives Center paid close attention to the sustainability of the project. Cyclone provided sustainability, commissioning, energy efficiency and renewable energy consulting for the project.

The building is largely forged from recycled steel. Because of very specific preservation requirements the temperature and humidity had to be precise and UV radiation penetration into the building was required to be less than 2%. Fritted glass was used for the structure, which came in at less that 1% radiation, outperforming all specifications. Cyclone looked at the building through the lens of LEED certification as it applied to materials such as paints, sealants and adhesives.

“The design is very minimalist in material use,” said Benjamin Skelton, President and CEO at Cyclone Energy Group. “There aren’t a lot of interior walls or separations, it’s a very open and inviting space inside the center. The building materials used on this project significantly reduced the embodied carbon impact.”

When it came to the building’s HVAC system, greater measures needed to be taken to ensure resilience given the temperature and humidity requirements and 24/7 equipment operations. To meet energy efficiency goals, the Cyclone team, in conjunction with project engineer Cosentini, modeled several iterations of HVAC system design.

“We had to think about cooling in a way that wouldn’t disturb the building’s aesthetic,” Skelton said. “As a result, you don’t see ductwork in the space, it’s being distributed at the floor behind the scenes.”

The Pritzker Military Archives Center stands as a testament to the power of coordinated effort – where each discipline elevates the others, resulting in a project greater than the sum of its parts.

About Cyclone Energy Group

Established in 2012, Cyclone Energy Group provides reliable analysis, cutting-edge insights, and practical solutions through all stages of a building’s life cycle, from design to construction, through warranty, and into operations. Based in Chicago, our Team works throughout the United States on behalf of designers, contractors, developers, owners, and property managers.

About Pritzker Military Archives Center

The mission of the Center is to increase the public's understanding of military history, military affairs and national security by providing a forum for the study and exploration of our military - past, present, and future - with a specific focus on their stories, sacrifices, and values. A non-governmental, non-partisan organization, the museum and archives center features diverse collections, scholarly initiatives, and public programs from its world-class research center in Somers, Wisconsin.

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Media Contact:

Mary O’Donoghue

modonoghue@cyclone.energy

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