UNM Castetter Hall Biology
Castetter Hall Phase II is a 22,562 sf classroom and lab building for the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. The primary focus of the building is education and research for the University’s Biology Department. It houses research laboratories, offices and lab support spaces within a three-story building. The new building ties the existing Castetter Hall, a historic John Gaw Meem project built in 1952. It is a modern interpretation of the Gaw Meem style yet respectful to the historic context of the older building. Located at the Yale Mall, a prominent campus pedestrian intersection, FBT worked closely with the Universities design review board to create the modern Gaw Meem expression and new identity for the Biology department.
Certified LEED Silver, this project incorporates many sustainable features including: state-of-the-art mechanical and lighting control systems, creative water harvesting techniques, and high performance fenestration systems. The building design, placement and organization responded to researcher requirements and the need for precise environmental controls in the research greenhouse. FBT worked closely with the Researchers to develop flexible lab spaces to support the needs of future Research candidates.
The Vision
Castetter Hall’s contemporary exterior aesthetic expresses a modern research facility yet is respectful of the historic 1952 John Gaw Meem building. Detailing techniques employed by Gaw Meem on the original building were employed with a lighter, more contemporary feel to blend the two buildings. Two-stories of the addition reflect the horizontal lines and massing of the Gaw Meem structure. The third story was minimized by stepping it back and utilizing transparent materials through curtainwall construction, metal panels and solar shading to create a modern scientific research facility. This addition connects the original Gaw Meem Building to a 2008 addition to the west and wraps an existing utility courtyard. A sense of presence was created to signify both the building’s prominence at the Yale Campus entry and to build an identity for the Biology department.
The Design
One challenge for the design team was placing six new research greenhouses on top of an existing roof. To provide the required exists off an occupied rooftop, structural modifications were made and an exterior stair were added to the roof. Mechanically, each greenhouse bay required specific temperature and humidity controls independent of each other and the Universities Central plant to assure equilibrium of airflow and temperature within each greenhouse.
- 22,562 sf
- Programming
- Architecture
- Sustainability Consulting
- Interiors
- Research Labs
- Lab Support Spaces
- Offices
- HVAC Sustainability Features
- Water Harvesting
- Rooftop Research Greenhouse
- LEED Silver
- 2012, Higher Education Merit Award, NAIOP Awards of Excellence
News
Architects at Work
As we celebrate the back-to-school season, we want to commemorate the dedicated individuals who have grown with FBT, evolving from intern architects into leaders of our education studios. Through their unique experiences, these talented individuals have faced diverse challenges, honed their skills and gained invaluable insights that have shaped their careers and how we define […]
Designing Educational Spaces
At FBT Architects, the design of educational spaces goes beyond creating functional buildings; it’s about shaping environments that inspire and support learning at every stage. Whether the focus is on K-12 schools or higher education institutions, commitment to innovation and flexibility is unwavering. Susan Johnson, Higher Education Principal, and Kelly Jernigan, Director of the Colorado […]
Making Big Moves & Building a Brighter Future
Albuquerque The Magazine Architects Profile Feature In 1973, a small group of hungry architects came together with a vision to put pencil to draft paper and transform the burgeoning city of Albuquerque—one innovative design idea at a time. They never could have imagined 50 years later, their scrappy little architecture firm (yes, it was FBT […]
Employee Spotlight With Antonio Vigil
Antonio’s career journey has evolved through continual exploration. After ten years at a smaller firm focused on private development, he transitioned to FBT, where he has gained experience with large-scale, public-sector projects and collaborating with larger teams. This move has been crucial in Antonio’s growth as an architect, equipping him with the skills to create […]
Contributing to the Community and Discovering New Perspectives
Back in March, hundreds of inquisitive young minds from across New Mexico gathered for the multi-day Central NM STEM Research Challenge. The participants, which included elementary, middle and high school students, got to show off a STEM-based project they spent months researching. Their tireless efforts poured into small booths filled with tri-folded poster boards displaying […]
Employee Spotlight With Diana Duran
As a newly licensed architect, Diana’s journey with FBT has been marked by her unwavering dedication to excellence and her ability to seamlessly integrate innovative solutions into her work. Her story is a testament to the power of combining personal values with professional aspirations. Growing up, Diana’s family gatherings were always filled with a sense […]
Employee Spotlight With Henry Reitwiesner
Henry’s background on the client side as an educational facilities operator, in-house architect and owner’s representative makes him an invaluable resource for his colleagues in FBT’s Colorado Springs Office. He describes his role at FBT as a mentor. “I provide a perspective as a former client for others to reflect on,” he explains. Henry’s career […]
Groundbreaking for Cibola Loop Multi-Generational Center
The Cibola Loop Multi-Generational Center in northwest Albuquerque, designed by FBT Architects, broke ground on May 21, 2024. This 55,000 sf wellness center will feature fitness amenities including a climbing gym, an elevated indoor running track, a gymnasium and multi-use classrooms. Outdoor amenities will include athletic fields, trails and an amphitheater. Designed to meet the […]
Employee Spotlight With Allie McAlister
As FBT’s Marketing Manager, Allie has a way with communication and organization that stems from years of experience in the field. If she were to describe her role at FBT using a metaphor, it would be “herding sheep,” especially in proposal development. “Putting together a proposal is like putting together a puzzle, but the pieces […]
FBT Breaks Ground on Multiple Projects
The last couple of weeks have been filled with elation, gratitude and excitement as FBT Architects celebrate three groundbreaking ceremonies for projects across the region. These projects, spanning multiple offices and studios, include a wellness center for Taos Pueblo, a middle school for Atlas Prep in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a meeting house for The Twelfth […]