This project overview details the design, construction, and deployment of a 1,400-car parking structure utilizing the versatility and strength of precast concrete for the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, NM. The precast concrete parking garage spans 6 elevated levels with dimensions of 185′ x 440′, offering an expansive 440,000 square feet of parking space. Notably, this is the largest garage in the state to utilize a blend of precast, tilt-up, and cast-in-place concrete techniques, demonstrating the adaptability and efficiency of precast materials in large-scale construction.
The structure is composed of 1,242 precast concrete components, including double tees, beams, shear and light walls, stairs, spandrels, and columns, ensuring a robust and secure framework. The exterior finish of the garage is painted to seamlessly integrate with the University campus colors, reflecting aesthetic and functional precision.
A key feature of the project is the inclusion of a Central Utility Plant (CUP) measuring 99’ x 185’ on the East end of the garage, built with adherence to a category D seismic requirement for enhanced resilience. This vital facility hosts major mechanical equipment necessary for continuous hospital operations, even amidst unforeseen disasters, thus underscoring the reliability and strategic significance of precast concrete systems in critical infrastructure.
As part of a wider expansion initiative at UNMH, this precast concrete parking structure supports the development of a nine-level, 684,000-square-foot Critical Care Tower, aimed at advancing healthcare services across New Mexico. The parking garage facilitates essential logistical functions, housing the CUP to power the new tower and providing additional space for operational support services. A pedestrian bridge, also constructed using precast concrete, connects the parking garage to the tower’s second level, ensuring seamless access for patients and staff alike.
The University of New Mexico Hospital parking garage project features a precast concrete structure designed to accommodate 1,400 cars across 6 elevated levels, covering a total area of 440,000 square feet. This structure employs a combination of precast, tilt-up, and cast-in-place concrete construction techniques. It includes 1,242 precast components such as double tees, beams, and columns, and is finished to match the campus colors. Located on the east end is a Central Utility Plant (CUP), measuring 99’ x 185’, designed to category D seismic standards to ensure operational continuity during unforeseen events. The CUP not only supports hospital operations but also aids the new nine-level, 684,000-square-foot Critical Care Tower. The garage is connected via a pedestrian bridge to the tower’s second level, facilitating seamless access for patients and staff, as part of a larger initiative to enhance healthcare services in New Mexico.
Precast Benefits
The use of precast concrete in the University of New Mexico Hospital parking garage project offers numerous benefits, enhancing both construction efficiency and long-term performance. Precast concrete ensures a high level of quality control, as components are manufactured in a controlled environment before being transported to the site. This method enables faster construction times, reducing site disruption and accelerating project completion. Precast elements also contribute to reduced labor costs and minimized material waste, making this an economically viable solution.
Additionally, precast concrete is known for its durability, providing superior resistance to weathering, wear, and seismic activity, as evidenced by the incorporation of seismic standards in the adjacent Central Utility Plant. Its inherent fire resistance and low-maintenance requirements further underscore its suitability for large-scale infrastructure projects like this one.
The flexibility in design allows for aesthetic cohesion with existing structures, as demonstrated by the exterior finish that matches the university’s colors, ensuring that the structure is not only functional but visually integrated into its surroundings.
Coreslab Structures is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of precast concrete products. Since 1975, we have been a premier producer of precast/prestressed concrete products, supplying top–of–the–line structural, architectural, and hollow core solutions to clients across Canada and the United States.
Our extensive network of precast/prestressed concrete facilities, combined with our commitment to excellence and technical expertise, has helped us become a leader in construction innovation and sustainable practices.
