News and Articles

Santa Fe County Receives Merit Award for Public Works Complex

Santa Fe, NM – December 23, 2011 – The Santa Fe County Public Works Complex has received a 2011 American Institute of Architects Citation Award for Architectural Design. Michael Freeman Architect and Bauer Freeman McDermott Architects designed the complex and the contractor was HB Construction.

The Public Works Complex includes four major buildings on 30 acres which include an Administrative Office Building, Sign Shop, Vehicle Maintenance Building and Vehicle Wash Facility. The Complex is located just off the NM599 Santa Fe Bypass.

The project was designed for energy efficiency and to establish new standards of environmental awareness for facilities of this type. The design of the facility highlights the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) commitment to clean sources of power.

Utilizing both passive and active energy systems, the buildings are functionally responsive and environmentally responsible. The use of solar heating, convective natural ventilation and controlled natural light also reduce project operation and maintenance costs.

The materials and equipment selected were analyzed for life-cycle value and to minimize the environmental impact. Recycled steel was used for the exterior surfaces and structural components, while renewable and natural finishes were selected for the interior.

One of the most recognizable features at the facility is the wind generator, which is designed to provide a portion of project power requirements and to feed back into the PNM grid when project demands allow.

A few comments regarding the Public Work Facility from the American Institute of Architects awards jury include:

 • Great care in how the building and site design negotiate with surrounding contexts of highways and mining land use.

• Highly appreciate the sensibility towards the landscaped courts, all spaces having connection to outdoors, natural ventilation and passive heating cooling systems through massing and formal strategy.

 • Sense of scale on landscape is sensitive to regional typologies and works in harmony with the program requirements.

• The particular attention to the human scale and sense of light is impressive

 • Consistent and elegant use of simple materials to maintain budget, executed with precision.