Projects for the Thunderbird Youth Academy involved the complete renovation of four aging and neglected historic buildings to make suitable for use by cadets of the state operated military academy. Located on the site of the first orphanage in Oklahoma, the Whitaker State Home, the buildings and site are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The existing conditions of each building was extensively surveyed, and computer modelled to record the existing conditions. Interior renovations and upgrades were planned in accordance with the recommendations of the State Historic Preservation Office. Improvements include replacement of all mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, additional thermal insulation, and repair of damaged exterior masonry walls.
