Our Future Home
A permanent home for preservation, research, and education.
ISAA Library envisions a dedicated facility where historic arms, armor, books, and related materials can be preserved, studied, and shared with future generations.
Our long-term vision is a purpose-built facility in North Texas, with approximately 350,000 square feet across five stories. It would bring collections storage, reference materials, hands-on research, educational programs, and public events together under one roof.
These conceptual renderings offer a first look at that vision: a place where the preservation of history supports the advancement of knowledge.
Images depict proposed architectural concepts, not an existing facility or finalized construction plans. Design, size, location, and timing remain subject to further planning, funding, and approvals.
Designed Around Our Mission
An artifact’s value extends beyond its appearance. Its materials, construction, markings, provenance, and historical context can help answer questions about technology, industry, culture, and human experience.
Our future home would support that work by connecting carefully managed collections with the people who study them. Researchers, educators, students, and other visitors would have opportunities to engage with the Library through supervised access, reference resources, and educational programming.
The architectural concepts share a consistent character: dark exterior finishes, rich wood, thoughtful lighting, and welcoming spaces for focused work and conversation.
A Welcoming Entrance
The proposed entrance and lobby would provide a clear starting point for visitors, with a staffed welcome desk and selected artifacts introducing the Library’s collections.
From here, guests could be directed to scheduled research visits, educational activities, interviews, and events.
Preserving the Collection
Dedicated artifact storage would provide an organized home for the Library’s growing collections.
The concept includes mobile storage racks on recessed floor tracks, archival cabinetry, and designated locations for different object types. The goal is to support responsible care, accurate inventory control, and efficient retrieval for authorized research and educational use.
Bringing Research Within Reach
Dedicated examination rooms would allow researchers and educators to study approved artifacts firsthand under staff supervision.
Large worktables, padded supports, reference materials, and space for photography would support close observation and documentation. Adjustable photography displays would help capture details that are difficult to communicate through written descriptions alone.
A Library Within the Library
The reference library would bring books and research materials into direct conversation with the artifacts they help explain.
Tall, glass-front bookcases would be interspersed with individual artifact displays, with additional books above. Comfortable reading areas and generous worktables would support both independent study and collaborative research.
A dedicated Book of the Month lectern would highlight a selected publication and invite visitors to explore a different subject, author, or historical question.
Recording Knowledge and Experience
A compact interview and podcast studio would provide space to record conversations with historians, researchers, authors, industry specialists, and other guests.
With a small interview stage, cameras, and an engineer’s workstation, the studio would support oral histories, educational interviews, and recorded discussions that extend the Library’s reach beyond its walls.
A Place to Gather and Recognize Achievement
The proposed gala ballroom would provide a setting for the Library’s awards ceremony, banquets, lectures, and other institutional events.
Inspired by the atmosphere of an intimate symphony hall, the concept combines tall ceilings, sculptural lighting, and flexible seating on a single level. It would offer a place to recognize contributions to the study and advancement of arms and armor—and bring together the community supporting that work.
Help Shape Our Future Home
Realizing this vision will take sustained support, thoughtful planning, and strong partnerships.
We welcome conversations with prospective donors, institutional partners, property owners, and professionals interested in helping ISAA Library establish its permanent home.
To discuss the building vision or explore ways to contribute, please contact us.
Preserving History, Advancing Knowledge.