Reflecting on my own studio crits and campus walks, navigating UNM's architecture as a student is a constant lesson in contrasts.
One minute, I'm sketching the imposing concrete masses of a Brutalist structure, grappling with its sheer monumentality and trying to understand the design intent behind that raw aesthetic. The next minute, I'm analyzing the elegant simplicity of the Pueblo Revival style, appreciating how it so seamlessly integrates with New Mexico’s complex history and landscape. Scattered between are modernist buildings that seem to bridge the gap striving for a clean, contemporary feel while still hinting at local materials or forms.
It’s fascinating to see these different architectural languages coexisting on one campus. It keeps our design discussions lively, constantly pushing us to consider diverse approaches and the stories buildings can tell.
Noah Laffler is a freelance photographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
