University of New Mexico Valencia Campus

Studies consistently show that attractive, functional outdoor spaces play an important role in student recruitment and campus life. With this in mind, UNM set out to modernize its Valencia Campus and create a more engaging environment for students, faculty, and visitors. SITES collaborated with Vigil & Associates under an on-call contract to design a series of improvements to both indoor and outdoor campus spaces.

The work focused on enhancing the common areas between buildings and strengthening pedestrian connections throughout the campus core. A key element of the project was creating a direct and welcoming connection to a new high use parking area at the southwest corner of campus serving the Health Sciences and Adult Education buildings. The team also designed a shaded, multi-level study plaza and a new access point on the west side of the Student Center.

Additional improvements included a landscape renovation of the main parking lot to create a more appealing campus entry. To protect the mature shade trees in this area, UNM agreed to remove several parking spaces, allowing for expanded planting beds that preserve tree root zones and reduce future damage to curbs and paving.