PUBLIC WORKS
Glenrio Rest Area Alterations

LOCATION: Texas-New Mexico state line, US Interstate 40, Glenrio, New Mexico

DATE: 2005-2008

COST: $8,000,000

PROGRAM: The New Mexico Department of Transportation and the New Mexico Department of Tourism retained our firm to work on the following Renovations and Expansion to this Welcome Center for visitors to New Mexico driving in from Texas:

1. The Visitor Center building is 8,500 sq. ft. There are Men’s and Women’s restrooms and traveler information available on a 24/7 basis. 
2. The Rest Area has 94 car spaces, 53 truck spaces and 14 (future) picnic shelters. 
3. “Green” technology wind powered turbine electric systems generate 20% of the facility’s electrical needs.
4. 100% recycling of the facility’s wastewater during summer months will be used in the site irrigation system.
5. The Visitor Center building incorporates high efficiency “Green” technologies in its heating and cooling systems and is super insulated to minimize heating and cooling costs.
6. For this facility, the State was interested in a Welcome Center building that said something about the rich Spanish Colonial building traditions of New Mexico. In this case, we designed a facility with a modern version of a Hacienda’s courtyard with surrounding portales and called for a great interior space, inspired by the sacred tradition of Spanish Colonial Iglesias.
7. The building courtyard faces due south for excellent passive solar heating during winter and for cool shade under the portales in summer.
8. The landscaping design incorporates native plantings from the Eastern half of New Mexico.