Skip to main content
Start of main content

A 21st Century building in harmony with the geology, topography, and ecology of its environment

At a Glance

  • 80K

    Square Feet

  • LEED

    Silver Certified

  • $17M

    Project Value

Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Offices
Client
  • U.S General Services Administration

General Services Administration - Southwest Region Office Building

Over centuries, inhabitants of the southwest desert developed building traditions to mediate the region’s harsh climate and provide security for their communities. Drawing inspiration from these long-proven strategies, Stantec designed a new energy-efficient, 21st-century office building that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

Borrowing from the region’s indigenous architecture, the two-story building centers around a courtyard. Double-height glazing surrounds this open-air space, introducing daylight deep into offices, public areas, and circulation routes. A series of overhead, cable-supported wood slats provide sun screening for those enjoying a moment of rest or an impromptu meeting. Trees, drought-resistant plants, and benches encourage daily use of the courtyard, a controlled microclimate in the warm southwest.

Flanking the courtyard, offices are configured to maximize interdepartmental communication. Visitor and conference spaces occupy the ground floor, allowing the second floor to house secure workspaces.

The facility is heavily influenced by its very particular site, with building orientation designed to maximize daylighting and sun control while affording greater views of the Sandia Mountains. Landscaping draws largely from local vegetation, with a wide variety of cacti, grasses, and succulents. The overall effect is a building that appears to have always been here, working in harmony with the geology, topography, and ecology of its environment.

At a Glance

  • 80K

    Square Feet

  • LEED

    Silver Certified

  • $17M

    Project Value

Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Offices
Client
  • U.S General Services Administration

We’re better together

  • Become a client

    Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.

  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

End of main content
To top