Foster Hall Biology Laboratory Building Renovation and Expansion at New Mexico State University

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The renovation of Foster Hall is comprised of two buildings, totaling 69,185 square feet. The first building, constructed in the 1930’s, the second building was constructed in 1969. The 30,000 sf addition includes eleven wet labs, an animal surgery room, prep rooms, support spaces, a darkroom, thirty faculty offices, graduate student offices and lounge, conference room, the department office suite and an accessible entry—and is designed to wrap 1969 building with traditional campus architecture. This detailing integrates the entire building into the adjacent campus architecture.

The mechanical and electrical systems required complete upgrades in the renovated buildings. Air requirements were brought up to the current standards for biology research laboratories. The fume hoods and biosafety cabinets were replaced with current state-of-the-art equipment.
Both of the existing buildings required extensive asbestos lead paint and PCB removal. The existing 1930s building required a new accessible entry. Studio SW worked with the New Mexico State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) to develop an accessible entry/ramp system. Code upgrades, such as accessible toilet rooms, correcting exiting requirements, providing correct fire barrier separations and installing a fire sprinkler system, were also a part of this intricate renovation and addition project.

LOCATION: Las Cruces, New Mexico
CLIENT: New Mexico State University
DATE OF COMPLETION: 2007
SIZE: 39,185 s.f. renovation; 30,000 s.f. addition
FEATURES: Complex renovation and expansion of an existing building. Phased construction.
         
 

 

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