NEW MEXICO SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
Connor Hall is a complex project involving demolition, historic preservation, and new construction. It is located on the New Mexico School for the Deaf (NMSD) campus in Santa Fe. The existing building was built in 1928 with an addition in the 1950’s. The design includes demolition of much of the historic building not seen from Cerrillos Road, preserves the high profile Cerrillos Road facade and gym, and removed the 1950’s addition. The historic area has been renovated to support classroom and office space for the technology, counseling and TV studio. New space supports the wood and welding shop and art studios (art, sculpture, ceramics, weaving, and jewelry).
The NMSD Art and Vocational program was relocated from 1950’s era Dillon Hall. The new areas were designed to accommodate current and future planned curriculum.
All areas benefit from substantial daylight from floor to ceiling glazing and high ceilings. A significant design challenge was to align three low historic floors with two modern higher bay floors. The central Connor Hall lobby provides ramps, stairs systems and an elevator to join three historic levels to two new levels. The surfaces of the rooms are painted concrete floors with a slight grit added for slip protection and plastic laminate on storage cabinets. It is important that the rooms are easily cleaned and support the art/vocational activities planned.
The Wood Shop is fully coordinated with a mix of existing shop equipment and some newly updated items. Equipment includes welding areas, paint room, and sawdust collection system coordinated with wood shop items. An overhead, glazed delivery door provides daylight and also allows easy delivery of large items. The paint room provides necessary finishing of items with a code compliant exhaust system.
The Art Room houses equipment for drawing/painting, weaving, sewing, and ceramic work. Storage for all items and flexible space allows artwork and associated materials to be brought out and left out for the duration of the art project.