New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute Meadows Long Term Care

PROJECT NARRATIVE

This facility is the first of a three-phase, state-funded project that will eventually replace two existing behavioral health facilities. This 50,000-square-foot facility provides skilled nursing and long-term care accommodations for 36 residents, including those with dementia and behavioral health needs, and also includes common areas to serve the eventual full build-out of 180 beds. The goal was to create a small-town atmosphere within a large facility, one that would be inviting and uplifting.

With five neighborhoods wrapping around outdoor courtyards, the design reflects the region's architecture with colorful stucco, local stone, and metal roofs. Inside, 18-resident households feature family rooms, seating areas, and dining venues. A daylit central indoor plaza is surrounded by a chapel, wellness center, mercado, library, salon, and hearthside seating areas. Focused on staffing efficiencies and resident-centered care, the design represents a step forward in cultural change for long-term care environments.

Serving as a model for a sustainable facility was also a driving goal. Among this LEED-NC Gold certified project's most significant successes on that front was the complete elimination of potable water consumption for irrigation through two underground cisterns that store rainwater for reuse. Prioritizing energy efficiency during design also yielded significant savings: recognizing that not all areas of the building operate around the clock, the team divided nursing from non-nursing areas so mechanical and plumbing systems could be separately managed, taking full advantage of setbacks in unoccupied spaces. Careful placement and sizing of windows resulted in daylit spaces with a 16% window-to-gross wall ratio, increasing the average exterior wall R-value while providing natural light and connections to nature. Insulated concrete form construction provides a continuous air barrier that helps keep temperatures consistent throughout the space, improving thermal comfort for this vulnerable resident population.

Thoughtful space planning and individual dimming controls in each bedroom allow residents to select lighting levels suited to their own needs, independent of their roommates. These controls, alongside high-efficiency ballasts, time clocks, and LED accent lighting, resulted in an interior lighting design 22% better than ASHRAE standards while maintaining a residential feel. Operable windows, individual room thermostats, and diverse outdoor courtyard spaces further support occupant preferences, and additional metrics include a 30% interior water-use reduction, 27% regional materials, 26% recycled content, and 65% FSC-certified wood.