The Rio Grande Wellness Center is a space to help relieve the people of Santa Fe, New Mexico with their mental and physical difficulties and to encourage overall good health. The building will welcome the locals to learn new skills, relax in a comfortable environment, and improve their quality of life. The building will be designed in respect to the landscape using sustainable methods, materials and systems to also give back to the environment. The design will consider and conserve costs in regards to materials, systems and energy consumption.
The concept is the generational evolution of the pueblo dwelling. This people began their lives in caves at the base of the surrounding cliffs and then moved above land to adobe multistory complexes made out of baked clay bricks, which still stand after dozens of generations. They have gradually modernized over the eras by using more technologies and variety of skills and building materials, but have held onto the traditional structure of their cultural homes. They have kept a harmonious relationship with the earth in tact using variety and repetition of shape to fit new landscape, yet maintain unity. They derive relative size, texture, and color to compliment the Rio Grande and contrast to draw attention to architectural openings. This relationship that they have fostered throughout history will connect the community with past and future generations of the culture and enhance rejuvenation in the Rio Grande Tribal Outreach center.
