Introduction

Offering well-equipped laboratory, teaching, conference and office space, the new CHTM building is contributing significantly to CHTM's ability to meet its objectives. The building is located at the University of New Mexico South Campus Research Park (see "CHTM Map"). It was officially dedicated on October 17, 1997, and the ceremony included speeches by the Honorable Pete Domenici, New Mexico's Senior Senator, the Honorable Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico's Junior Senator, and the Honorable Ray Sanchez, Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives. The ceremony was followed by tours of the new building and demonstrations of some of the research projects.

The American Southwest is rich in traditional forms of architecture, ranging from the adobe pueblos of the Native American population to the territorial style of the Spanish settlers. At UNM, echoes of these traditions date back to 1906, when UNM President William Tight built an adobe power plant and a "kiva" for the Tri-Alpha club. Since then the University has maintained this unique architectural style, ensuring that all campus buildings have an adobe-style finish and are in keeping with the proportions of pueblo structures. While the pueblo style has evolved the buildings have continued to be (in the words of 1930's architect John Gaw Meem) "still part of the earth, as dignified in their simplicity as the land itself". The CHTM building was designed by SMPC Architects of Albuquerque to create an environment where high technology can flourish within the context of a mission style exterior. The twin entrance towers reflect those of missions at Jemez, Taos and others throughout New Mexico. The building style serves as a constant reminder of the spirit of place, and of CHTM's role in the continuing growth and success of that place.

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Building Features

The 60,000 gross square feet main building comprises:

• laboratory space (35,000 square feet including chase areas),
• 2 classroom/seminar rooms
• a technical library equipped with a selection of technical journals and desk space (600 square feet)
• a class 100/1000 cleanroom for semiconductor processing (5000 square feet) 
• shop and technical support areas (2000 square feet) 
• faculty and research staff offices (6900 square feet)
• 3 conference rooms, administration and staff offices (3500 square feet)
• state of the art  building controls and systems, many under direct digital control
• dedicated central plant mechanically isolated from the main research building (5200 square feet)

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Custom Features

The facility was purpose-built to support CHTM's research so...

• 40% of the laboratory space is on a vibration-isolated foundation "slab" with a demonstrated vibration of less than 125 microinches/sec 
• laboratories are provided with a class 10,000 clean room environment making them suitable for precision optical experiments
• closed loop processed chilled water and deionized water is readily available in labs
• continuous gas monitoring and emergency protocols are in place where hazardous materials are used
• waste water is treated on site, pH is monitored before disposal
• access to the building, the cleanroom and and to all laboratories is controlled by magnetic card readers

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Take a PHOTO tour of the new building !