Renovation of FAA Systems Training Building
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Systems Training Building remained central to training and administrative operations at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) campus, but the original 1968 structure no longer met current structural or energy performance expectations for a mission-dependent federal facility. At the same time, the building continued to house active laboratories, classrooms, and communications infrastructure that support National Airspace System readiness. The FAA faced a dual obligation. The facility required seismic upgrades and improved energy performance to comply with federal mandates, yet training functions and communications systems located within the building could not be taken offline during construction. Modernization had to occur without interrupting operations that support workforce preparedness and mission continuity.
Located on the MMAC campus, the Systems Training Building is a 104,000-square-foot facility consisting of a basement, first floor, and second floor, expanded over time through additions completed in 1982, 2003, and 2007. These additions remained occupied throughout the renovation effort and depended on shared building systems originating in the original structure. Guernsey was contracted to provide complete renovation design services and prepare construction documents for the renovation of approximately 115,000 square feet within the facility.
Initial planning efforts anticipated relocating basement laboratories and classrooms to another building on campus, enabling administrative offices to expand into the upper levels and allowing the first floor to support expanded classroom and training programs. Four design concepts were developed based on this assumption. Midway through the project, program changes required the design team to abandon the initial approach and reconfigure the renovation strategy within the existing building footprint. Training and laboratory functions were retained in place, and the basement, first floor, and second floor were ultimately renovated to support a mixture of administrative offices, modernized classrooms, and temporary swing space for future FAA initiatives.
The revised program introduced operational constraints that directly influenced project sequencing. The building’s communication hub was required to remain operational throughout construction, and technical equipment located in the basement could only be relocated once. Life safety requirements mandated that two means of egress be maintained at all times. These conditions required a phased renovation strategy that allowed the facility to remain occupied and in service as structural and system upgrades progressed. Four comprehensive phasing plans were developed to maintain uninterrupted training and administrative operations while work occurred in active portions of the building.
Renovation of the original structure included upgrades to meet current seismic code requirements through the installation of new structural steel cross bracing throughout the facility. These improvements were implemented to protect occupants, training environments, and critical equipment in the event of seismic activity while extending the service life of the existing structure. To meet federal energy conservation requirements established under Executive Order 13514, the building envelope was replaced with improved insulation assemblies and all windows were upgraded with high-performance glazing. Mechanical, electrical, and control systems were replaced to support a performance target of 20 percent less energy use than ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 for major renovations, reducing long-term operating demands on a facility that must remain continuously available for workforce training.
Interior renovations included the modernization of electronic laboratories, classrooms, and administrative spaces, along with the introduction of daylighting strategies in open office areas and updated finishes throughout the building. Exterior and site improvements included replacement of parking areas and access drives, comprehensive landscaping, and the development of three new entry elements to improve circulation between laboratory, classroom, and administrative zones. A new SBS modified bitumen roof system, a new skylight and clerestory at the annex, and upgraded data, communications, and fire suppression systems were also incorporated as part of the renovation effort.
Project phasing required the existing chilled water system to remain operational to serve the occupied additions while a new chilled water plant was constructed. A new utility building housing chillers and cooling towers enabled the transition to a new high-performance mechanical system without interrupting service to active training and administrative areas of the facility. Elevator design and replacement were included to support accessibility and circulation requirements within the renovated building.
The completed Systems Training Building continues to support FAA training and administrative functions within a modernized, seismically upgraded environment that meets current federal energy performance standards. By sequencing structural and systems improvements within an occupied facility, the project preserved uninterrupted training operations while providing adaptable space for future agency use, reinforcing the long-term reliability of the MMAC training campus infrastructure.