The
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) officially opened its new east entry
expansion project on August 22, 2008 marking six months from the time ceremonial shovels opened
ground last February.
New Mexico State Governor
Bill Richardson, who championed the long-awaited project and who is one of several state
and tribal dignitaries who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The east entry was
designed to be more inviting to the thousands of visitors to the Center and to
expand the cultural/museum experience said Ron Solimon,
President and CEO for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. “The expansion is an
architectural statement that reflects our mission to preserve and perpetuate
the Pueblo culture. The shape and
materials incorporated into the design pay homage to our Pueblo homelands.” Solimon added, “We are thankful to Governor
Richardson and the state legislature for assisting us in this next phase of regenerating
our mission.”
Designers of the building
made sure that Pueblo sensibilities were evident in the overall design and
ambiance - for instance, emphasizing the cultural significance of east-facing
entryways to the 19 Pueblos. The east
entry is grand in scale and pays tribute to the centuries-old practice of facing
east and greeting the sunrise. The
unobstructed views of the
from the east entryway also adds to the project’s cultural elements as the mountains
are at the center of the Sandia Pueblos’ spiritual activities.
The $2.4 million project
funded primarily by state Capital Outlay funds
adds 18,244 additional square feet to the main building that houses the Museum
of Pueblo History and Culture, Pueblo and Native American Exhibition Galleries,
Pueblo Gift Shop, Pueblo Harvest
Café, and administrative offices.
The new addition was
designed by Rick Bennett Architects. The
General Contractor was Global Structures, Inc.
Eighty-four new part and full-time positions have been added to the IPCC
workforce as a result of this project.
This building project at IPCC
is the first of a three-phase planned expansion. Because of space restrictions, the IPCC
began Phase 1 with an expanded east entrance, new gallery and restaurant
relocation.
Phase 2 will move the gift
shop to the current dining room, as well as add additional office space and
improvements to the courtyard. The vacated
gift shop will create 10,000 square feet of space on the first floor, allowing
for Phase 3 – the development of new exhibit and interpretive space for the
museum.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural
Center is a 501 © (3) corporation operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico and
is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Center offers public programming, yearly signature events, tours to
the Pueblos of Acoma and Zuni, cultural exhibitions and more.
Additional Project
Features:
- New two-story east entrance project
- Indoor and outdoor public areas
- Adds 18,443 additional square feet to the main
building. Interior square footage
totals 14,550, with 3,893 square feet of covered patio and portales
- 19 laser-cut, exposed vigas extend out to each
of the second floor support columns topped with a reproduction of the
tribal seals of each of New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos
- The new building will extend closer to 12th
Street, and will replace the existing iron fence. The intent is to make IPCC more inviting
to the public
- The building interior will features authentic
Pueblo art and natural southwestern building materials.
- The new entrance will be centered on a
two-story flagstone fireplace
- Large indoor water feature
- The new addition will provide a new entryway
and gallery area, needed office space, restrooms and storage, and provide
for additional dining areas
- The new museum introductory space will feature
semi-permanent exhibits starting with a photo display of contemporary and
historic photos of pueblo people and pueblo places
- The second floor railing is reminiscent of
fine-line designs painted on Pueblo pottery
- The gallery is intended to begin the visitor’s
museum experience at IPCC