Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

By Edith Cherry and James See – August 30, 2019

501 Elizabeth St. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123

Access: 505 275-8731  |  Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

Designed to accommodate a wide variety of uses—from fitness to art classes and more—for citizens of all ages, Manzano Mesa was the first such facility to be built by the City of Albuquerque.

The form of the building is contemporary, incorporating trapezoids and a curved wall with a very long radius. Clad in corrugated metal, that northern wall faces Southern Boulevard SE and helps block street noise. The building’s main entry, on the south, welcomes visitors from the parking lot through a rough-faced masonry wall. Between these two major architectural features are interesting spaces that use a variety of geometries.

Interesting interior structural features include a ceiling truss in the Game Room that has a cable for the bottom chord, and the north wall of the Gymnasium—held in place by a regular rectangular frame, it tilts toward the street. The major exterior materials are metal siding, masonry, and stucco. The colors of the masonry and stucco recall the Southwestern landscape.

Completed: Phase I, 2002; Phase II (gym), 2003
Architect: Kells + Craig Architects
Landscape Architect: Consensus Planning
Contractor: Luther Construction Co., Inc.

Awards:
Merit Award, Albuquerque AIA (2004)
Best Building Award by Associated General Contractors/NM Business Journal (2003)
 

8/30/19