The architectural design of our new National Guard Armory was released to the Southern Standard on Friday, providing the first glimpse of a $12.5 million facility which is projected to be finished next summer.

The main building will boast a soaring two-story lobby in the front and a sprawling glass wall in the back to provide a contemporary feel. It’s expected to be a LED-certified project and a model for energy efficiency.

“It will have the best in energy efficiency when it comes to its heating, cooling and lighting systems,” said architect David Hunter of Design House 1411 in Nashville. “Getting the armory LED certified is the goal but it’s a much harder accomplishment when you’re working in a rural space.”

Also of note, said Hunter, are the glass windows on the back of the armory.

“The expansive glass wall will be south facing so it won’t be visible from the street,” said Hunter. “That’s intentional. The people who use that facility will have a modern glass building on one side.”

The new armory will sit on 22 acres on Manchester Highway next to Security Federal and Reddick Brown Ford. 

The facility will include a large garage-type building with bay doors that will be used for training exercises and repairs on military vehicles. A number of military vehicles are expected to be kept on the property.

Sain Construction in Manchester is building the armory. According to the current timetable, crews should begin pouring concrete in early August and steel erection is expected to start at the end of August. 

The current projection is to be finished around August of 2023.