University of new mexico | College of pharmacy renovation

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Completion: Est. 08/2027

Size: 55,000 sf

The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy renovation transforms a 55,000-square-foot, three-story facility into a modern hub for pharmaceutical education, research, and collaboration. The project updates a 1970s concrete structure into a high-performance, light-filled learning environment that connects New Mexico’s ancestral healing traditions with contemporary pharmaceutical practice.

Inspired by the ventifact, stone shaped by wind, sun, and human touch, the design emphasizes carved, layered materials. A new building envelope improves energy efficiency, comfort, and daylight access, while a three-story solarium with a sculptural shade scrim recalls New Mexico’s rock formations and moderates solar heat gain.

Flexible classrooms, study nooks, conference rooms, and collaborative spaces support interaction and discovery. Biophilic strategies, including indoor plantings and views to landscape, enhance well-being and connect occupants to place. Material choices combine tactile stone, masonry, and concrete with refined metals, wood, and glazing, reflecting the evolution from traditional healing to precise pharmaceutical science.

By reusing the existing structure, exceeding ENERGY STAR standards, and prioritizing accessibility and adaptability, the renovation strengthens the College’s identity while modeling sustainable, inclusive campus development. The project creates a welcoming academic destination that honors New Mexico’s history, supports innovation, and reinforces connections across the UNM Health Sciences campus.