Executive Summary

THE INSTALLATION DESIGN GUIDE IS A TOOL TO IMPLEMENT ARMY STANDARDS

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Army Installation Design Standards is to provide Army standards and serve as a tool for implementing those standards.

• The design standards for site planning, buildings, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, landscaping, site elements (i.e. signage, utilities), force protection, and sustainable design are provided for incorporation into each Army installation.

• The framework for implementation is the Installation Design Guide (IDG).  Each installation will imitate the IDG processes in the Army Installation Design Standards in the development of their installation specific IDG. 

• The purpose of the Fort Carson Installation Design Guide is to create a document that can be used as an instrument to improve the visual environment of Fort Carson.  This document, as a specialized part of the entire Master Plan, focuses on the visual aspects of Fort Carson and is intended to serve as a comprehensive reference of design guidance for the post. 

BACKGROUND

The Fort Carson Installation Design Guide follows the concept established in the Joint Service Unified Facilities Criteria Installation Design manual.

Research was conducted to incorporate the best practices from other organizations such as the Air Force, Navy, AAFES, GSA, National Park Service, Federal Highway Administration, and various city and county governments, and associations into the Fort Carson standards.  

IDG METHODOLOGY

The IDG provides standards and guidelines to installation decision makers, contracted and in-house planning and design professionals, installation maintenance personnel, and others. The IDG sets interior and exterior standards and planning criteria to be integrated into all proposals, design and construction contracts, renovation, maintenance, or repair projects performed on the installation or its properties.

The following paragraphs present an overview of the steps involved in developing an installation specific IDG.  The IDG promotes a sense of arrival, functional compatibility, and visual order.  It enhances site assets, relates the natural and man-made environment, promotes sustainable development, and achieves consistent architectural themes throughout the installation and, where applicable, its sub-installations.

• Step 1.  Installation Profile - Initially an installation profile is created in which the installation setting, existing land use, and proposed land use are detailed to include all applicable sub-installations.

• Step 2.  Visual Surveys - The first survey establishes the visual zones and themes of the installation. The second survey documents the liabilities and assets within each visual zone.  

• Step 3.  Visual Zones and Themes - Information gathered is recorded and used to delineate visual zones.  Zones with similar visual characteristics are grouped together to form a broader category called themes.  Visual characteristics define a "look and feel" of an area together with the dominant features that define its image.  Typical visual characteristics include unique buildings, vehicular and pedestrian corridors, functional use, natural features, and spatial relationships.  

• Step 4. Assets and Liabilities - Each visual zone is then defined for its assets and liabilities. Subsequently, a functional analysis is prepared. 

• Step 5.  Recommendations - Recommendations are developed to address the liabilities identified and to enhance the assets noted in accordance with Army standards and the IDG goals and objectives.  Recommendations are in the form of specific projects that are utilized to prepare a prioritized projects list for approval by the installation Real Property Planning Board (RPPB).

reSPONSIBILITIES

Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management (ACSIM):

• Establish Army facility standards and approve deviations from the standards.

• Approve Army Installation Design Standards Implementation Plan.

• Approve Army Installation Design Standards Investment Strategy.

 Director Installation Management Agency (Dir IMCOM):

• Develop and implement the Army Installation Design Standards Implementation Plan.

• Develop and implement the Army Installation Design Standards Investment Strategy.

• Ensure compliance with the Army Installation Design Standards.

• Maintain electronic newsletter for communicating changes in standards.

Garrison Commander:

• Develop the installation's IDG.

• Chair installation Real Property Planning Board to review and approve projects established on the Prioritized Improvement Projects List to meet Army standards.

• Submit Prioritized Improvement Projects List for approval and funding to IAW Director, IMCOM instructions to follow after review and approval by Senior Mission Commander. 

• Enforce IDG standard.

 Senior Mission Commander:

• Review and approve IDG.

• Review and approve RPPB Prioritized Improvement Projects List recommendations to meet Army standards prior to submission to IMCOM Region Director.

Major Army Command/Tenant Responsibilities:

• Participate in installation Real Property Planning Board.

• Participate in design and planning charrettes.

• Determine project functional requirements.

• Participate in design reviews.

"one Team"

INSTALLATION DESIGN GUIDE