University of New Mexico Starts Construction on Science Center

The University of New Mexico (UNM), in Albuquerque, recently celebrated the start of construction on the university’s new Physics & Astronomy Interdisciplinary Science Center (PAIS Center). The aim of the new science facility is to create a flexible, collaboration-focused space on campus for all types of science education.

University of New Mexico Starts Construction on Science Center

The new facility will feature offices, labs, and special spaces that are strategically placed to maximize construction and energy efficiency. There will also be a light-filled entry space, a courtyard, and a lounge area for occupants. At 137,200 square feet, the PAIS Center will also be the largest building on the campus of UNM.

The PAIS Center project is being helmed by VHGArchitects with EYP of Boston serving as consultants for the building’s laboratory spaces. The PAIS is slated to open in July 2019.

Featured

  • Designing for Every Mind

    Learning environments have the power to shape not just what students know, but who they become. When a school is designed with genuine empathy—for the full range of ways students think, sense, and engage with the world—it becomes more than a building. It becomes a catalyst for growth, confidence, and belonging. That is the animating idea behind neurodiverse design, and it is one that is transforming how more architects and designers are thinking about school design.

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • S4L Announces 2026 Education Design Showcase Winners

    Spaces4Learning is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 27th year, the annual awards program honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education.