The barracks of the future: Where wellbeing and performance go hand in hand
New international research shows that modern barracks design has great potential to improve both the indoor climate and soldiers' mental wellbeing. By combining architectural innovation with psychological insight, the study recommends creating a better framework for future defence.
Many defence property managers in Western countries will recognise the description of one of the largest and oldest barracks in New Zealand, Burnham Military Camp.
The camp is over 100 years old and served as a mobilisation camp for deploying the country’s troops during the Second World War. But 100 years of faithful service takes its toll – even on a barracks – and today the buildings are run down and in a state of disrepair, just like many other barracks in the West that were established around the Second World War.
The study “Constructing the contemporary soldier” looks at what such physical environments mean for the soldiers who have to live in them. The study's focus was on the run-down Burnham Military Camp, the largest barracks in New Zealand's South Island.
The study specifically points out that Burnham, like much of existing barracks design, is characterised by:
- A lack of privacy: Shared dormitories and limited personal space inhibit recovery and increase stress levels.
- Poor indoor climate: Insufficient ventilation, artificial lighting and a lack of natural materials contribute to an unhealthy environment.
- Minimal contact with nature: Soldiers live in concrete buildings without access to green spaces, which can affect both mental and physical health.
- Rigid structure without flexibility: Standardised room divisions that do not take into account soldiers’ needs for both community and alone time.
According to the researcher behind the study, Sarah Earwaker, current barracks are not only outdated, but also a direct obstacle to modern defence needs.
Barracks construction: Discipline, control and practice
As the study highlights, traditional military barracks are often designed from a strictly functional perspective, with a focus on discipline, order and efficiency.
This approach can be traced back to a historical trend where control and monitoring were key design parameters. As a result, for years governments prioritised buildings designed to regulate movement and remain ‘shut off’ from the outside world through cell-like designs and open spaces that are easy to monitor.
At the same time, the military hierarchy is also evident in the different spaces, so that the highest ranks receive the best housing conditions, while the lowest ranks get the worst, in order to motivate people to climb the military ladder.
However, the traditional way of building barracks can have negative consequences for the wellbeing of soldiers because the buildings allow for very limited privacy, the environments are clinical and communal dormitories can potentially promote the spread of diseases.
The path to better barracks design
The study points to several approaches that can improve the quality of modern barracks construction – thereby improving soldiers’ wellbeing without compromising the military’s need for control and discipline. An optimised barracks design should integrate both structural and psychological solutions, including:
A better indoor climate through the selection of materials
o Use of natural materials such as wood that also improve acoustics and create a more homely environment.
o Optimised ventilation and daylight to reduce the risk of headaches and sleep disturbances.
o Sound-absorbing ceiling and wall panels that minimise stress and create a calm indoor climate.
Flexible housing types
o Smaller living units with private rooms combined with communal areas to strengthen both individuality and community.
o Ability to customise spaces for different functions so soldiers can alternate between work, training and rest without leaving the barracks.
Integrated nature and recreation
o Green areas directly adjacent to the barracks provide soldiers with opportunities for mental recovery.
o Indoor and outdoor training facilities that support physical wellbeing and combat readiness.
o Increased access to daylight through strategically placed windows and glass facades.
The study refers specifically to previous research that has demonstrated the beneficial effect of so-called ‘biophilic design’ – i.e. deliberately integrating nature and natural elements into building design. This can be in the form of wood on walls and floors or by having a view of nature.
The barracks of the future are holistic
According to the study, renewal is not just desirable, but an urgent necessity. Not least because modern defence depends on the recruitment and retention of personnel.
At the same time, the physical environment plays a crucial role if soldiers are to perform at their best. This requires architects, the construction industry and armed forces to work closely together to create solutions that meet both military standards and human needs.
FACTS AND FIGURES: Examples of upgraded barracks
· The Government of New Zealand has adopted the ‘Defence Estate Regeneration Implementation Plan’. The plan, which covers the period from 2019–2035, will ensure the upgrading and modernisation of the armed forces’ properties. The programme covers 104 projects over the next five years.
· In Germany , construction on 68 barracks buildings with a total of around 6,000 soldier housing units had already been started or planned to start in 2025 – even before the election. An incoming government is expected to boost investments heavily.
· In Denmark, the government adopted an emergency package in 2023 aimed at dilapidated barracks. The package includes an investment of approximately DKK 1.9 billion to improve housing conditions for conscripts by 2033.
· The UK has launched a comprehensive programme to improve housing conditions for soldiers. The programme includes £1.2 billion to modernise and improve the army’s properties.