University of New Mexico - CERIA

Our previous title, Garrett Smith Ltd, was asked to develop a design, cost information, and phased construction plan for the 1970’s UNM Bookstore central to the campus. GSL’s plan incorporated the challenging rotated structural grid and realigned the building into a natural north/south axis consistent with adjoining buildings. The newly-created Media Arts department was located on a new third level, which allowed more freedom for specialized programmatic spaces like a black box theater, computer imaging center and multipurpose interdisciplinary spaces.

The new 70,700 square foot construction project began with a detailed programming effort joining two diverse high-technology research and teaching disciplines: the Fine Arts’ Media Arts Program and the Biology Collections and Research Department. This adaptive reuse of a 1970’s building is all about collaboration.  Diverse disciplines of Biological Sciences and Media Arts meet and manage diverse studies within a building designed for engagement and dialogue.

GSL’s careful attention to the overall program goals allowed 3 phases of non-traditional construction to be completed by two separate general contractors at an economical cost. Our integration of project goals with phased funding and understanding of builder needs gave UNM a high-performance, multidisciplinary facility in the heart of the UNM campus.

CERIA = CONSORTIUM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, INFORMATICS & ART