naval base san diego

Project Spotlight:  Three San Diego Navy Bases

In case study by Morgan Dix

Naval Base San Diego is one of the biggest Naval Bases in North America. Naval Base Point Loma and Naval Base Coronado–also based in San Diego–are significant bases.

We recently performed installations at all three facilities and decided to compare the orders, side by side, as a case study to better understand the benefits of their respective furniture choices.

As you can see from the item lists below, we developed very different solutions for each base based on their unique needs, desires, and preferences.

Our facility in Chula Vista, CA makes this kind of deep flexibility possible. Every project has its surprises but having our base in San Diego helps us manage these large complex projects.

And all of these projects had a removal component. Having our own truck to both deliver the new furniture and backhaul the old furniture was a big asset.

Here’s an overview of the three projects illustrated with photo renders and room shots from the projects.


NB Point Loma

Item List

  • 96 – Bed
  • 96 – Desk
  • 192 – Two Drawer Underbed
  • 96 – Two Door Wardrobe
  • 96 – Nightstand

NB San Diego

Item List

  • 554 – Captain’s Bed, Single XL
  • 554 – TV Media Chest
  • 554 – Writing Table
  • 554 – Wardrobe
  • 560 – Ergo Chair
NBSD

NB Coronado

Item List

  • 525 – Lift Top Bed
  • 525 – Storage Bed End
  • 525 – Bed End Carrel
  • 525 – Pedestal Desks


naval base point loma

NB Point Loma

NBPL had the largest range of items in the solution we crafted for them. Here are some of the benefits of their choices.

Storage

To manage storage needs, NBPL chose 4 drawers of lockable underbed storage, a two-drawer nightstand, and a capacious two door wardrobe.

To ensure security and peace of mind, both the wardrobe and underbed storage units feature lockable hasps with a resident supplied padlock.

The wardrobe is extremely spacious with just single shelf and open storage cavity, ideal for storing gear and keeping rooms tidy.

Many of the residential buildings on base are used by students taking trainings. As such, these are transitional spaces with heavy traffic and high turnover. Given that, this population didn’t require a storage locker for bulky military gear and supplies.

Sleeping

With solid wood bed ends and rails, the bunkable Quicklock Bed with 13in mattress facilitates easy standardization across buildings because it’s so easy to break down and exchange parts as necessary.

Because the QL 3900 is bunkable, this bed gives facilities teams the option to expand capacity quickly and triple or quadruple occupancy.

Next to the bed is a simple two-drawer nightstand with a traditional lamp.

Focus, Study, Work

The lightweight desk is a writing table with routed drawer pulls. It’s easy to move for the cleaning staff and doesn’t require a pedestal thanks to the extra storage in the nightstand, underbed, and two-door wardrobe. The desk is paired with a super comfortable and contemporary ergonomic chair. A modern style desk lamp with articulated arm.

Artwork

Artwork serves different functions. In addition to beautifying the space, it provides a calming atmosphere and a place of respite and retreat from the arduous context of military training.

The imagery in this solution features local designs with bright colors focused on landscapes, lighthouses, beaches, waves, and water. The artwork in these rooms is all literal and not abstract and excludes any explicit military imagery.


naval base san diego

NB San Diego

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Carlstrom) File# 190312-N-NB544-1036

NBSD made different choices to NBPL, and here’s how it benefitted them. Snyder Hall is a twelve story building and one of their older residences and needed a facelift and refresh. It’s also important because it’s one of their showcase buildings where they bring VIPs for tours.

Storage

As part of the upgrade to this facility, the base shifted occupancy from two beds per room to one bed per room, giving residents far more space.

As part of this space upgrade, each resident receives abundant storage options including a two-door single shelf wardrobe, a three-drawer media chest, and a captains bed with two capacious drawers and storage cavity.

Sleeping

The NBSD team chose a captains bed with a low profile head board and a 13in mattress. The bed features two drawers and the two-piece plywood bed deck allows one to store items in the open cavity that’s not consumed by the two drawers.

In addition to the extra storage, this bed features low profile recessed metal pulls that are low maintenance while adding a contemporary feel. and also a traditional nightstand lamp

Focus, Study, Work

The desk is a lightweight writing table which is easy to move and therefore better for the cleaning staff. Because of the copious storage options in the room, there’s no need to add a pedestal option. The desk setup features a super comfortable and contemporary ergonomic chair and a modern style desk lamp with articulated arm.

Aesthetic

This furniture solution features a dark modern stain for an upgraded premium look. DCI-framed and matted artwork highlights local landscapes and no military imagery. There is also an attractive mirror with custom solid wood frame from DCI.


NB Coronado

(Photo Creative Commons: U.S. Pacific Fleet)

On the face of it, NB Coronado had the fewest items in their order. But their furniture choices reflect an elegant design and a commitment to maximize the economy of their space. The overall solution is compact and satisfying which is conducive to a sense of ownership. Let’s break it down.

Storage

All of the storage in this solution is efficiently divided between the lift-top bed and the pedestal desk. The bed’s storage headboard has a retractable vertical drawer on casters. The bed also features three spacious drawers.

On top of that, the lift-top bed has two two hydraulic pistons to lift the bed deck similar to the hood of a car. And because the bed sits high, it offers a huge amount of secure storage space because the bed deck itself is lockable. The drawers also lock with a single locking mechanism in contrast to the more standard hasp mechanism.

The pedestal desk offers additional storage options with three roomy drawers. Built-in closets in the room obviate the need for wardrobes but the overall reduced storage accounts for the pedestal selection.

Sleep

These beds, featuring a nine inch mattress, are so sturdy they’re nearly bomb-proof. One potential corresponding drawback is their heavy weight, which makes them hard to move and harder to clean around for facilities staff. Moving them takes manpower. Additionally, there are more moving parts. So it’s a complex bed with potentially extra long-term maintenance requirements.

As noted above, the bed features a storage headboard unit with a fabric tack board, power outlet, and reading light. You can orient the headboard unit in either direction, so you don’t need to order left or right configurations.

Focus, Study, Work

The pedestal desk is 50% right/left orientation with the pedestals positioned to avoid the power outlets in the wall while bringing balance to the room. All the desks include a pencil drawer with retractable front face that converts to a keyboard tray.