FSB creates a special helicopter maintenance hangar celebrating NASNI’s rich heritage.

Unequaled in operational scope and complexity, Naval Base Coronado (NBC) provides a shore-based platform for delivering and directing base operating support programs and services that exceed customer expectations and contribute to the operational readiness of ashore and afloat commands. As a component of NBC, Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) is the home port of several United States Navy aircraft carriers and part of the Navy’s largest aerospace-industrial complex.

Challenged to design a new three-bay helicopter maintenance hangar with supporting shops and administrative spaces, our team pulled design inspiration from the rich aviation heritage of NASNI and the visual proximity to the City of San Diego.

Reflecting NASNI’s history as the “birthplace of naval aviation,” FSB’s design celebrates the individual expression of each of the three separate carrier-based active duty squadrons. The hangar front expresses each individual squadron through the use of sculptural “eyebrows” above each hangar door. These aviation-derived accent forms enhance the inward view from the harbor side while providing a place to locate apron lighting and display squadron insignias. The structural design provided maximum flexibility and efficiency for the individual squadron aircraft servicing bays by creating a 630’-wide hangar bay with virtually no obstruction at floor level. Building forms, orientation and materials were selected for their cost-effectiveness, durability, maintainability and sustainability.

This project was an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) prototype, one of two test projects for the U.S. Navy.