Designing for the Future: Site Strategies Supporting Military Modernization
Military installations are more than the sum of their structures. They are ecosystems that influence daily life, performance, and resilience across all branches of the United States Armed Forces. As modernization efforts expand across housing, command centers, and mission-critical infrastructure, site design is increasingly recognized as a critical element of both functionality and well-being.
At Circle V, our work across Army, Navy, and Marine installations connects broader modernization goals with responsive, landscape architecture solutions that create healthier, more sustainable living environments. From grading and stormwater control to circulation, planting, and outdoor gathering spaces, our designs deliver performance-driven results tailored to complex federal contexts.
The Scale of Modernization Needed
The Department of Defense continues to invest heavily in replacing aging infrastructure, improving efficiency, and supporting readiness. In 2025, the Army allocated $2.35 billion for improvements to barracks, reflecting the urgency of these updates, while the Marine Corps launched the $5 billion Barracks 2030 initiative to update housing across installations. Similar efforts span the Navy and Air Force, targeting operational compounds, administrative centers, and campus-wide upgrades. Even beyond these efforts, individual installations are pushing forward with large-scale renovations.
The challenges are spatial as well as structural. Poor drainage, disjointed site layouts, and unshaded circulation paths limit not only human comfort but operational effectiveness. Many barracks suffer from poor ventilation, mold, and outdated layouts, all of which impact soldier well-being. Fort Polk alone has allocated $169 million for barracks renovations, signaling a broader trend across Army bases. Our past work on these projects integrate performance-based site planning to address these issues while improving the user experience. These improvements are not just about infrastructure. They directly affect readiness, retention, and overall morale for soldiers living on base.
Designing for Performance and Morale
Military campuses require outdoor environments that are functional, secure, and durable. Our landscape architecture approach centers on improving resilience and livability by focusing on:
Usable outdoor space that encourages movement, interaction, and recovery through shaded seating, structured gathering areas, and logical pedestrian pathways
Integrated stormwater management with solutions such as bioswales, infiltration strategies, and strategic grading to address erosion and improve site resilience
Climate-responsive planting using regionally adapted species to reduce maintenance, support passive cooling, and reflect environmental conditions
Security-conscious site planning that balances clear sightlines, layered access, and physical protection through landscape design rather than solely architectural means
These site strategies increase long-term value while directly supporting the physical and psychological well-being of service members.
Sustainability as Standard Practice
Sustainability is no longer an add-on. It is fundamental to how modern military installations are designed. Across housing, support, and administrative projects, we apply LEED-informed thinking to reduce resource consumption and strengthen ecological performance.
Our design priorities include:
Energy and water efficiency through low-water planting, permeable surfaces, and shade design
Adding and enhancing amenities, like sports courts, outdoor fitness areas, and picnic areas
Outdoor comfort and air quality enhancements through planting density, windbreaks, and orientation strategies
Durable materials and flexible spatial systems that accommodate mission evolution with minimal disruption
With nearly 70 percent of Circle V’s urban and government projects achieving LEED Silver or higher, we understand how to embed these principles into high-performance military sites.
Experience Across Facility Types and Branches
We’ve contributed to a range of more than 20 modernization efforts across branches, including:
Barrack renovations at Fort Cavazos and Fort Liberty with shade infrastructure, erosion control, and community-scale outdoor spaces, including the addition of sports courts, outdoor fitness areas, and improving and adding picnic areas
UEPH site improvements at Fort Cavazos prioritizing climate adaptability, circulation clarity, and housing longevity
Joint Base San Antonio additions with durable circulation, controlled access, integrated stormwater reuse, native plantings, and outdoor spaces that support function and identity.
For more on our certifications and federal work, visit Circle V’s Certifications Page and explore our government portfolio.
What’s Next
From barracks to administrative compounds, modernization is creating opportunities to improve the form, flow, and feel of military campuses. Our current work at Fort Liberty and across the Southwest reflects that momentum, pairing adaptive landscape design with clear performance goals.
Modernization is not only about what’s built. It is about how outdoor space supports readiness, identity, and mission success. Through responsive site design, we’re proud to help shape installations that work harder and last longer for the people who rely on them most.
