Santa Fe Community Convention Center

Fentress’ design for Santa Fe represents a completely unconventional, innovative approach to convention center architecture.  While typical centers are large, imposing boxes walled off from the community, the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center fully engages its neighboring streets and, architecturally, has no visible backdoor. In fact, the city requires new construction follow strict design guidelines in its popular historic downtown. Therefore, portals and zaguans disguise the building’s mass, and keep it from overpowering the intimate scale of Santa Fe.

Flexibility & Functionality

The Fentress design is inherently flexible.  It allows the building to be reconfigured for a diverse set of concurrent users. The interconnected courtyard, meeting rooms, and exhibit space can each be used independently or together, allowing for multiple events to occur at the same time without intruding on each other and for revenue generating functions to be booked during weekends or evenings.

The shielded service courtyard allows space for deliveries in a concealed area, and eliminates the sight of an expanse of loading docks facing the street. Similarly, the drop off point was relocated off the main street to prevent a backlog of traffic during events. The courtyard engages with the existing City Hall plaza, while pedestrian connections draw people through the Center and provide access to parking and City Hall. The pocket park creates an additional connection to the surrounding area and is an asset to the community.