Urban Practice Designs First-of-Its-Kind Military Housing at Fort Irwin
Fort Irwin Apartments, developed by The Michaels Organization, celebrates groundbreaking
Sept 8, 2025, Camden, NJ — Urban Practice recently celebrated the start of new privatized military housing at the U.S. Army’s Fort Irwin installation in California, alongside developer The Michaels Organization and U.S. Army officials.
Fort Irwin Apartments is a first-of-its-kind pilot project designed for single and junior-ranking service members for the U.S. Army and will serve as a model for future junior unaccompanied single-soldier housing at military installations across the country.
“Today’s groundbreaking reflects a bold step forward in how we care for our soldiers,” said Fort Irwin Garrison Commander Colonel Steven L. Chadwick. “Fort Irwin Apartments is not just new housing. It represents a new standard of living for unaccompanied junior enlisted soldiers. It’s a deliberate investment in their quality of life.”
The primary goal of the new community is to raise the standard of living for its residents to allow them to focus their time and energy on the mission of securing our nation. This was achieved through the creation of a community that fosters a sense of place, increases social interaction between the residents, incorporates resiliency and durability initiatives, and builds on the architectural heritage of Fort Irwin.
“We are very proud to have been selected by Michaels to plan and design Fort Irwin Apartments,” said Anthony Noga, an Associate and Senior Architect at Urban Practice, who noted that the sustainable, purposeful design features, including pedestrian-friendly walkways and strategically placed green spaces, will help to drive social engagement and reduce isolation.
The new community will comprise 276 modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment units with shared kitchens and an array of on-site amenities, such as a clubhouse with TVs, a kitchenette, covered patios with outdoor seating, a pool, covered lounge areas, community mail pavilions, and covered parking spaces with solar.
Urban Practice, based in Camden, is a national firm with expertise in affordable, attainable, market-rate, and student housing, which has done several projects for Michaels.
“Fort Irwin Apartments prioritizes both current and future service members,” said Josh Eckert, Associate and Urban Designer at Urban Practice. “Our commitment to the creation of a community that supports the mission of the U.S. Army while enhancing the resident experience for the long term is reflected throughout. Fort Irwin Apartments will reflect the pride that the residents have in serving in the military.”
Water conservation measures, desert climate architectural design strategies, appropriate landscape design, and durable building materials are all incorporated to ensure the community is designed to last and serve as a model for future privatized barracks throughout the country.
Construction on the new community has commenced and is expected to be complete in April 2028.
###
About Urban Practice
Urban Practice is an architecture and design firm based in Camden, NJ, dedicated to shaping equitable, sustainable spaces that uplift underserved communities. The firm partners with mission-driven organizations to transform visions into impactful, inclusive developments.