Project

Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis

We provided conceptual design, architecture, interior design, mechanical, plumbing, civil, fire protection and construction documents for a two-story, 100,000-square-foot wargaming facility with operations and secure areas.

Additionally, we provided the same services for a separate structure supporting communication distribution services, as well as mechanical, plumbing, civil and fire protection design for an adjacent 350-space, four-level parking structure.

The General Robert B. Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis (Neller Center), developed through a joint venture with Wiley|Wilson, was designed to prepare units to deter conflict inside the weapons engagement zone. The project execution plan started with interactive design sessions to gather stakeholder input and enable the facility to meet current and future wargaming needs. Key requirements established for the facility:

Replicate a multisided event involving joint naval or coalition expeditionary warfare in five domains — land, air, maritime, space and cyberspace.
Provide “fog of war” conditions for any level of classification.
Distribute all event data and communications across Marine Corps network regions and facilitate geographically disperse participation.
Provide highly interactive, collaborative spaces to host multiple games per year.

Client

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington

Location

Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia

Region

Mid-Atlantic

Services

Department of Defense

Navy & Marine Corps

Industry

Government & Military

This dedicated wargaming facility features spaces for wargame planning and execution to support the Combat Development Command, Operating Forces, Reserves, Supporting Establishment, and Marine Corps Headquarters. The facility supports simulation and modeling of future environments and provides connectivity to serve as the central node in a network configuration and capable of receiving, storing, transmitting and electronic sharing of information.

The Neller Center houses a 300-person auditorium, gaming classrooms, game arenas, breakout rooms and conference rooms, all helping personnel visualize threats, simulate operating environments and gain advantages over adversaries. The mix of spaces — larger arenas for replicating remote operations units and smaller rooms for independent, secure assessments — allows monitoring and recording by controllers, generating authentic learning opportunities. Specific and sophisticated A/V design approaches facilitate the users’ unique needs.

Architectural Features

Exterior design of the Neller Center reflects Georgian Revival style tenets, with red brick cladding and detailing. Interior walls, doors and ceilings meet security acoustic requirements, with doors, frames, and hardware equipped for physical and electronic security needs. An extensive raised access floor system enables flexibility in communications and electrical infrastructure. Operating partitions in wargaming program areas permit varying activities for groups of different sizes.

Mechanical Systems

Focused on achieving mission compatibility and support as well as occupant comfort, indoor air quality, acceptable noise levels, energy efficiency, reliability, security and ease of maintenance, the mechanical systems were designed based on life cycle cost analyses to indicate high-efficiency choices for chilled and hot water.

Cybersecurity & Telecommunications

Given the sensitive nature of the work and study performed at the wargaming center, heightened attention was paid to cybersecurity and telecommunications design details. Direct digital control (DDC) systems were integrated with the existing emergency management control system (EMCS). The telecommunications system includes outside plant (OSP) systems, horizontal distribution systems, backbone distribution systems, telecommunications spaces, telecommunications rooms, telecommunications enclosures, equipment rooms and entrance facilities.

The telecommunications system includes complete end-to-end Information Transport Systems (ITS), including information transport media (copper and fiber-optic cabling), patch panels, cabinets, racks, jacks, cross-connects, connectors, fiber-optic distribution panels, etc., for the installation, connection and plug-and-play operation of future equipment.

Fire Protection/Alarm Systems

A hydraulically designed wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system was installed, as well as a fire alarm and mass notification system that is fully addressable and electrically supervised with battery backup. The equipment room includes a total flooding clean agent suppression system.

Electrical Systems

Electrical service is provided from two new pad-mounted switchgear enclosures near the center. A 13.2-kV underground feeder was routed to a new, adjacent pad-mount transformer that will step down the voltage for service.