BG Joseph Schroedel (commander, South Pacific Division, USACE), Bryan Zatica (president, Macro-Z Technology), Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson (commander, Air Force Flight Test Center) and Col. Wendy Masiello (commander, 95th Air Base Wing) cut the ribbon to open the new Consolidated Support Facility at Edwards Air Force Base. (Photo by Senior Airman Jet Fabara, USAF)

The 49,000-square-foot structure was built with the Corps’ design goals in mind to be sustainable, flexible and environmentally sensitive. Santa Ana-based construction contractor Macro-Z Technology teamed with design firm Edward Cass and Associates to create an award-winning facility.

The CSF won a Concept Design Merit Award in the 2004 Air Force Materiel Command Design Awards Program, a contest recognizing features that address environmental quality. The facility has also earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System silver certification.

To achieve the Green Building rating, the contractor implemented energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive designs. The building’s unique cooling system prepares for its daily demands by storing thermal energy generated overnight when rates are cheaper. Anything that could be constructed using recycled material was built, including a parking lot made from broken concrete, carpet made from recycled petroleum products, and beams made from recycled structural steel. The landscaping continues the “green” theme by using drought-resistant native plants.

Macro-Z president Bryan Zatica reflected on the process that ultimately led to the awards. “When we bid this project, there were no plans whatsoever,” he said. “What you see today was through design charettes (intense, on-the-spot design efforts) with the Air Force, the Army, Edward Cass and Associates, the Macro-Z team and five days of a lot of meetings.”

The $11.5 million design-build project was completed on time and within budget. Architecturally significant, the building features five curved roofs, which open it up to electricity-saving natural light, while large eaves provide shade for the windows, reducing energy needs for cooling.

After touring the facility, BG Joseph Schroedel, found that it met the design goal of keeping the well-being of employees and customers in mind: “I asked, ‘What do the customers think about this?’ ‘What do the people of this community think about this facility?’ And some of the folks who work here said, ‘Well, when the people walk in, they kind of freeze, and they look around and say, “This is not a government facility. It can’t be.” And then they forget why they’re here. And somebody has to help them remember who they have to go see.’”

Schroedel told the community members who gathered for the ribbon-cutting that he was proud of the work that everybody on the team did in producing a magnificent facility. He especially praised the efforts of the Corps team, which included employees from the Los Angeles District, the High Desert Area Office and the Edwards Resident Office.

Echoing Schroedel’s comments, Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson, Air Force Flight Test Center commander, said it was a rare moment to be able to open a new structure at an Air Force Materiel Command base. “My compliments to the team,” he said. “I thank you all for bringing it together. It is a superb example of teamwork and partnership at its finest. Small business in America and the leadership of the world’s greatest air force have come together to make this happen.”

Pearson had participated in the original survey suggesting the consolidation project. Now, some 20 years later, he’s seen the idea turn into reality—one that will allow the base to better care for its people.

Guests gather in the atrium area of the Consolidated Support Facility, which serves as the customer waiting area.

Flexible, open working spaces are central to the facility’s design making it a building that will serve an evolving Air Force.

Pass and Registrations is one of several support functions now served by the newly opened Consolidated Support Facility.

The new structure consolidates several support functions that were scattered around the base, making it a “one-stop shop” for airmen arriving at and departing Edwards Air Force Base.

The Consolidated Support Facility’s design and drought-resistant landscaping fit perfectly among the other structures at the Mojave Desert base.

The facility’s thermal energy storage unit features six large tanks for storing ice made from the chiller overnight when electricity is less expensive.