The Oklahoma National Guard Museum is among the nation’s first museums delivered using Design-Build Done Right Best Practices. Designed as an immersive destination, it celebrates over 130 years of service by Oklahoma’s Citizen Soldiers, highlighting themes of spirit, sacrifice, and training.
Visitors encounter the Guard’s story before entering the building through exterior macro artifacts—aircraft, tanks, helicopters, and artillery—that extend the museum experience across the site. Inside, a glassclad lobby with a suspended Sabre Dog aircraft leads into galleries featuring artifacts, immersive environments, interactive media, and personal narratives.
The facility includes permanent and temporary galleries, large-scale artifact displays, research and archival spaces, education and event areas, and flexible back-of-house functions designed for long-term adaptability and expansion.
Project Details
Oklahoma Military Department
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Owner / Client:
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Location:
Oklahoma City, OK
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Square Footage:
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Budget:
$36,726,284.79 (CCL) $45,000,000.00 (total)
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Design-Build Procurement Type:
Best Value
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Timeline:
540 days
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Services Provided:
Pre-award and post-award services
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Completion Year:
2026
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Project Duration:
30 months
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Award Recognition:
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Challenge
Success required integrating a top-tier exhibit designer early in the Design-Build process—much earlier than a typical museum timeline. The museum also needed a clear, cohesive narrative spanning eras, missions, and technologies while remaining accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Approach
The design uses story-driven architecture—from the tilted glass lobby to bold concrete forms—to express the dual identity of the Citizen Soldier: civilian stability and military readiness. The team planned seamless visitor flow while creating secure, efficient back-of-house circulation for artifacts, staff, and sensitive collections.
Impact
The museum serves as a civic landmark that honors service, strengthens community identity, and elevates the Oklahoma Military Department’s presence. It preserves the stories of Oklahoma Guardsmen, enhances public understanding, and supports recruitment through inspiring exhibits and event-ready spaces.
As a new destination, it boosts civic pride, attracts visitors, and contributes to Oklahoma City’s cultural landscape, while flexible spaces support tourism, ceremonies, education, and military events. State-of-the-art environmental systems protect the Guard’s irreplaceable collections.