F-35C Centralized Engine Repair Facility & Pilot Fit Facility

Project P-380 is a building that pushes the architectural envelope on the Lemoore base. The CERF is the Navy's first standalone F-35 engine maintenance facility, and the PFF is a facility full of high-tech equipment and staff that create the F-35 pilot's flight suits and customized helmets. By co-locating these two programs in the same building and sharing common spaces, we foster interaction among users who are all there in support of one another: the pilots can see the people working in the shop on the engines that will later power their jet, and the maintainers can see the pilots who count on them to keep their jets flight-worthy. This building is designed with passages and portals that physically and visually connect these two groups to bring them full circle in the pursuit of fleet readiness.

The project site was an empty lot in a corner of the base adjacent to one of the runways and surrounded by haphazard building aesthetics, from old concrete test cell monsters to generic metal panel high-bay maintenance boxes to small buildings with glass block windows. These factors let the building approach the site as a blank slate: no dominant styles or materials to dialog with meant we were free to be more architecturally adventurous.

We took advantage of this opportunity to give life and form to the intense dedication and passion the squadron at Lemoore have for their mission: there’s daylighting and vibrant red material accents with human-scale textures throughout the building and the landscaping. We visually expressed the high-tech, stealth capable and supersonic traits of the F-35: there are sleek metal panel canted walls, oblique hallways and view portals framed to mimic the angular surfaces of the F-35.

The building’s exterior architecture is thoughtfully designed to express the F-35 aircraft’s uniqueness, while co-existing harmoniously with its surroundings – including industrial buildings with various architectural themes from different eras.

We designed the building’s interior and exterior to capture the dynamic, modern and high-tech characteristics of the F-35 using a variety of elements, such as the canted metal panel walls, windows and portals that evoke the sleek lines and unique shapes of aircraft and engine nozzle blades. Additionally, we chose colors and textures inspired by the advanced composite materials used in the F-35 aircraft itself.

The PFF wing of the building highlights the modern appearance of the building exterior. The F-35’s revolutionary helmet display feature allows pilots to see through the aircraft and share a common operating picture with squadron mates. These features guide the design of the façade’s transparencies, exposed structure, large curtain walls and sleek metal panel surfaces.

The CERF function also has a significant impact on the building’s exterior design, since this is where the F-35 engine – the beating heart of the aircraft – undergoes routine maintenance. The engine’s distinctive nozzle fin shape inspired the building’s angled walls and window portal designs.

The first floor of the facility provides primary spaces for both functional programs, with the CERF to the east and the PFF to the west. The CERF includes four maintenance bays with associated tool storage; high-density parts storage; racking and crane systems; and pass-through vehicular circulation for engine trailers, forklifts and tugs. Visual connections in and out of the CERF are important, engaging sailors outside with the work performed inside, as well as increasing daylighting and quality of the work environment for maintenance personnel inside.

F-35C pilots in training are measured for flight gear inside the PFF. All flight suits and related gear are personally fitted for each pilot and the helmets are custom-fabricated for fit and calibrated for eyesight. Interior spaces within the PFF include various shops for flight suits and gear tailoring, helmet fabrication, secured storage and offices.