CNM: Rio Rancho Campus

The new campus is expected to be completed over several years totaling 250,000 s.f. The first phase (61,500 s.f.) to be completed in 2010 includes administrative and faculty offices, 18 multi-purpose classrooms and three computer classrooms accommodating 28-30 students in each, a nursing lab and simulation laboratory (2,800 s.f. each), a biology and chemistry laboratory (1600 s.f. each) with prep area (1,100 s.f.), two large presentation rooms (1,500 s.f. each) to accommodate large meetings or classes, media room, tutorial room and a library (1,000 s.f. each).

The new campus maximizes sustainable design and is expected to be used as a teaching tool to demonstrate sustainability. It features ground couple heat pumps for HVAC systems, natural daylight and views in 90% of occupied spaces, operable windows and retention of water run-off for landscaping. It is anticipated the campus will achieve a minimum silver-level LEED® certification.

The campus is organized around a large central courtyard to maximize light and to provide an outdoor, landscaped space for occupants. Materials were selected to blend and integrate with the desert mesa site, respond to intense sunlight and to not overwhelm the surrounding residential area.