New Mexico Veterans Memorial Visitor Center
Owner:
City of Albuquerque
Date of Completion:
November, 2004
Building Area:
3,790 square feet
Builder's Name:
Enterprise Builders Co., Phase I
Innerspace Systems, Phase II
Historic military barracks were the inspiration behind the design of the Visitor Center with wrap around porches, double hung wood windows, a fireplace and high pitched ceilings, open to the structure. The Visitor Center houses a small exhibit space, an office, library, restrooms, commercial kitchen, a large divisible meeting space and off-exhibit museum storage.
This project introduced Cherry/See/Reames to exhibit space design, requiring openness and flexibility. The building boasts the addition of a hydraulically lifted operational periscope from which you can view the entire park. This unique, permanent exhibit required research into lightning protection, weatherproofing and facilitating an administrative amendment for its full height protrusion. Cherry/See/Reames became the first periscope architects in New Mexico!
An additional feature includes the four stained glass windows. They consist of art pieces depicting Americana and Remembrance as well as the six seals of the branches of military service. We found that working with an artist during the design process gave us added inspiration. Art is incorporated throughout the entire project, both on the interior and exterior.
Like the art, we provided educational opportunities throughout the building in exhibits and outside in monuments. These monuments permeate the surrounding landscape so that the visitor may learn about New Mexico’s military history during park hours even if the Visitor Center is closed. The many memorials reflect Cherry/See/Reames involvement in establishing guidelines for the park that address materiality, permanence, vandal resistance, and variety.
