University of New Mexico. Dept. of Facility Planning.

The University of New Mexico is built in the Pueblo Revival Style of architecture, a style introduced to campus around 1901. Architect John Gaw Meem perpetuated the regional style, designing many buildings on the UNM campus, 1933-1959. In 1963, architect Van Dorn Hooker was appointed UNM's University Architect. After his retirement the Dept. of Facility Planning was established in 1988. The department oversees the master planning of the main and branch campuses of UNM, as well as general campus development. Other specific duties include the approval or disapproval of building designs and landscape projects, interviewing and recommending architects, and recommending decisions to the President. The department further oversees capital construction, facility planning management, disabled needs compliance, and space planning.

The University of New Mexico, unique among college campuses, is built in the Spanish Pueblo Revival Style of architecture. The style was first introduced to the campus by President George Tight around 1901. President Tight and architect E.B. Christy, helped popularize the regional style throughout Santa Fe and central New Mexico.

Architect John Gaw Meem researched and further developed and popularized the Spanish Pueblo Style, designing many buildings on the UNM campus, from 1933-1959. Meem, and partners Hugo Zehner, Edward Holien, and later William R. Buckley, became passionate advocates of the preservation of New Mexico’s indigenous architecture.

In 1963, architect Van Dorn Hooker was appointed UNM's University Architect by the Campus Planning Committee. Hooker's tenure was characterized by his commitment to maintaining the historical and visual continuity of the University’s built environment. Acting in an advisory and administrative capacity, the Campus Planning Committee, with Hooker as a member, established long-range planning for the University. In spite of rapid campus expansion from the 1960s to the 1980s, the University of New Mexico campus retained its unique, regional qualities. The sensitive management of Van Dorn Hooker allowed contemporary architectural designs to appear without losing campus integrity. The result was a careful blending of traditional forms with modern interpretations.

After the retirement of Van Dorn Hooker in 1987, the Department of Facility Planning was established in July of 1988. Within its various capacities, similar to those of the University Architect and the Campus Planning Committee, the department oversees the master planning of the main and branch campuses of the University of New Mexico, as well as general campus development. Other specific duties include the approval or disapproval of building designs and landscape projects, interviewing and recommending architects, and recommending decisions to the President. The department further oversees capital construction, facility planning management, disabled needs compliance, and space planning.