Northern New Mexico College Solar Energy Research Park and Academy (SERPA)

The Solar Energy Research Park and Academy (SERPA) for Northern New Mexico College is a new high-tech academic study, research laboratory, testing, and evaluation facility designed to reflect and advance the "solar culture" of the region.  SERPA Phase 1 is a single story, approximately 10,000 sf building that will incorporate sustainable strategies for both design and construction in pursuit of certification under the LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) green building rating system.

The main architectural goal was to create a welcoming and modern building that expresses the buildings use for engineering and research and also articulates the building systems, such as the structural system and integrated solar collection strategies.

The basic diagram of the building is a linear corridor running east west that bisects the functions of the building. The block to the north of the corridor houses the academic/research functions and the curvilinear forms to the south of the corridor house faculty and support. The building envelope was designed to emphasize energy performance while meeting the client’s desire to express both technology and local material traditions. The northern half of the building, the classroom and lab spaces, is clad with a high performance insulated metal panel system. The curving forms on the southern half of the building are conventional materials that reflect the vernacular architecture of the area. These envelope strategies, along with the mechanical and lighting strategies, are expected to reduce the building’s energy costs by 35%.

Location: Española, NM