Technical Sophistication: Copper and concrete lend new tech center a dynamic aging process

by Jonathan McGaha | January 4, 2015 12:00 am

Designed by RMKM Architects[1], Albuquerque, N.M., the new Gallup Technology Center sits at the main entrance of the University of New Mexico[2] at Gallup campus in Gallup, N.M. The two-story, 37,192-square-foot building conveys technical sophistication that aligns with the center’s teaching mission while also integrating with campus life and offering a sense of connection to the surrounding landscape.

According to architect Mark Rohde, principal at RMKM Architecture, the facility combines two disparate building programs in a uniquely composed campus gateway facility. “The center fulfills its ‘gateway icon’ mission with two different faces-a formally and materially varied composition of solids and voids faces the Gallup community and an invitingly transparent face welcomes the campus community,” he says.

Situated on a steeply sloping site, the building engages the hillside to form a two-story, sheltering U-shape around an outdoor sunken patio to the south, which shelters the space from northwesterly winds to provide much-needed campus outdoor space.

The building’s architecture presents a dynamic indoor-outdoor relationship of building and site, while massing boldly expresses the program. For example, Rohde says there is a showcase multipurpose room that cantilevers out 30 feet above the site and captures magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and mesas through a full-height window wall.

Designed as a one-stop shop, the facility consolidates student services functions on the main level and technology classrooms and faculty offices on the lower level. Varied, technology-heavy student gathering spaces weave through both levels and culminate in a double-height glazed ‘communicating’ volume that borders the sunken patio, where daylight and views can filter deep into the building.

The LEED Gold-certified project is made of natural copper, cast-in-place concrete and high-performance glazing. Together, they provide a fresh interpretation of the traditional stucco campus. Copper is used as a key way of keeping the technology in harmony with people and nature, while also offering an appropriate look amid the surrounding red desert sandstone hills.

“Cast-in-place concrete and composite copper panel cladding require no finishes or maintenance and will change character over time, lending the building a dynamic aging process,” explains Rohde.

RMKM Architects specified 21,142 square feet of Revere/ALPOLIC Copper Composite Material panels from Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America Inc.,[3] Chesapeake, Va., with copper from Revere Copper Products Inc.[4], Rome, N.Y. The panels have copper bonded to both sides of a mineral-filled polyethylene core. The different width panels were fabricated from a standard 36-inch-wide coil by Southwest Glass & Glazing[5], Albuquerque, and combined to create a stratified effect. Southwest Glass & Glazing also added a warm, weathered patina that combines with hardwood floors, natural lighting and human-scale spaces such as a central patio to create a highly livable environment at harmony with its natural surroundings. Additionally, the panels echo the surrounding landscape and reduced waste material by approximately 40 percent. Low-E glazing from Tubelite Inc.[6], Walker, Mich., and sunshades contribute to solar heat gain reduction.

The facility has an underfloor air distribution system that increases indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency by delivering air to occupied zones versus from above an occupied zone, which allows air to be delivered at lower pressures and higher temperatures.

Rohde explains that the building has a complex program that ultimately provides students with a comfortable environment that promotes learning. “The design employs universal daylighting and an underfloor air distribution system to increase the indoor environmental quality of the building,” he explains.

Additionally, all spaces are connected by light-filled gathering/breakout/refresh areas designed so occupants have constant visual access to the outdoors. While faculty and staff offices located at the building’s north and west perimeters have operable windows for individual climate control, interior spaces have glass walls to maintain access to daylighting.

“The center projects an updated UNM Gallup image, instructional mission and symbol of the campus’ commitment to a sustainable future,” Rohde adds.

 

Gallup Technology Center, University of New Mexico, Gallup, N.M.

Award: 2013 AIA Honor Award from the AIA New Mexico
Architect: RMKM Architects[1], Albuquerque, N.M.
General contractor: Flintco LLC[7], Albuquerque
Fabricator: Southwest Glass & Glazing[5], Albuquerque
Copper: Revere Copper Products Inc., Rome, N.Y.,
www.reverecopper.com[8]
Curtainwalls: Tubelite Inc., Walker, Mich., www.tubeliteinc.com[9]
Metal fabric screen: The Western Group, Albuquerque, www.thewesterngroup.com[10]
Metal wall panels: ALPOLIC by Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America Inc., Chesapeake, Va., www.alpolic-americas.com[11]

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/technical-sophistication/

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