This project is an excellent example of how Baker A+D can work within tight budget and schedule constraints. When 3 Advertising came to us with the seemingly impossible task of designing their new 8,000 square foot corporate office all within, let's just say, a very very small budget, we took the opportunity as a chance to think outside the box. As a client with a creative sensibility, 3 Advertising had some general ideas about how they wanted their space to be: semi-open offices, portability (due to the fact that they wanted to be able to take as much of their office as possible if they ever decide to move) and to express their corporate culture. We developed a concept that captured the energy of 3 and provided a fun and creative work environment while still providing the essential functions that a corporate office needs. We provided each office a unique feeling of both privacy and openness. To achieve this we used removable translucent panels in a series of three different configurations in order to give a hierarchy and rhythm to the overall space. Common open spaces like the Print Shop and Production Area were provided a sense of importance with the use of wood screen walls or ceilings. This allows light to filter through while still maintaining a visual presence. We accelerated the construction schedule because a great deal of the project was fabricated off site then simply brought to the site and installed.

From this major Albuquerque remodel, one can see that Baker A+D is adept at working with existing structures. As a matter of fact, about 50% of our work is either a remodel or addition. We take pride in our ability to work with an existing situation and identify the existing merit therein and design harmonious new elements for a seamless result. Nob Hill Bar & Grill is a new restaurant in an old space. The building was essentially gutted down to the structure. The new bar top extends from the restaurant into a more secluded bar area. This creates a nice balance between the bar and grill; both spaces have their own atmosphere but definitely draw energy from one another. The exterior received a major façade improvement. Unfortunate 1970s alterations, such as a shingled mansard roof and a coat of paint to the original brick, were reversed to reveal the beauty of the original structure. A new steel façade and frameless glass picture window conceal some permanent blemishes and extend the interior theme of "old and new" to the outside.

The challenge of a successful spa project is to provide a relaxing yet unique atmosphere, a respite from the banalities and stresses of everyday life. Patty's Day Spa, located in the high desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico, provides something of an oasis in our dry and dust-driven climate. The building includes an integral 8-person hot tub, a 7-person sauna, and, through the use of a blue/ turquoise color palette and natural river rock finishes, it embodies the essence of water.

Patty’s Day Spa is a new, freestanding building located on a small lot. Baker A+D revitalized the mid-century modern aesthetic while also incorporating nods to traditional New Mexican architecture such as the timber portal and the massive stucco forms. This is an excellent example of Baker A+D's ability to work within a relatively limited budget. To meet the budget, the architects creatively designed a simple structure and specified budget-minded materials that do not sacrifice quality and appearance.

This day spa is equipped with a 7-person cedar sauna, an 8-person integral hot tub, three massage rooms, two locker rooms, and a relaxation room. In addition to the programmatic needs, spas must evoke a certain level of luxury. The finishes include an exposed wood structural system with 12' ceilings, polished concrete floors, built-in cabinets throughout, cedar lined hallways and pebble tile accent walls.

State-of-the-art 3D simulation is integral in all Baker A+D projects. This allows our clients to fully understand a building's design prior to construction.

The Whisque (pronounced like the drink) was an exciting project because it gave us the opportunity to totally reconfigure an existing building that was not designed as a restaurant. For the owners, the location was undeniable, at the top of a bluff on Albuquerque's Westsdie. The new dining room and patio have commanding views of the Rio Grande valley with the river bosque in the foreground and the Sandia and Manzano mountains in the distance. The challenge was to re-image the vacant drug store property into a new restaurant without the stigma of the previous use. Baker A+D collaborated with design firm Jones-Baker and produced a popular and successful restaurant for this area of Albuquerque. The Whisque's patio has won "Best Patio" in Albuquerque, The Magazine's annual awards for two years running.

Project Description: Conversion of Nob Hill duplex into a boutique for imported women's apparel and accessories.

Aqui Nob Hill is a new retail clothier in Albuquerque. Baker A+D successfully transformed a dilapidated duplex into an attractive facility which upon sight appears to be an entirely new building.

Aqui Nob Hill is located just off of Central Avenue, the original Route 66, and the design has focused on visibility and access from this important regional artery.

The design adds 440 square feet to the front of the structure extending it forward as far as possible to meet the adjacent commercial buildings. The design attempts to marry desirable qualities of residential architecture with the need for a commercial presence. The scale and colors provide a comfortable environment for shoppers. The palette is decidedly New Mexican, however the details and finishes are contextual with the contemporary architecture of Nob Hill.

Project Description: Addition of Treatment Rooms and Yoga Studio to existing Day Spa in Albuquerque’s North Valley
Improvements to public areas include: new massage therapy and facial rooms, new central relaxation room and new yoga studio. Improvements to back-of-house include: full mechanical and electrical upgrades, new offices and staff areas, and enhanced acoustical treatments throughout.

Bringing nature into the spa experience is central to Betty’s approach. This was accomplished with a central relaxation room which was conceived as an interior courtyard. Natural light streams into the space through thoughtfully located skylights. Each treatment room receives the light through above-the-door transom windows. The light also highlights and provides life to a natural bamboo garden, that in turn provides a certain tranquility to the interior court/ relaxation room. This project was a collaboration with Chris Beccone.

The Bluepoint Kitchen and Bar is a high-end fresh seafood restaurant with a full bar and seating for 324. Design focus was given to the indoor/outdoor relationships and maximizing the potential of Tucson’s favorable climate. Large folding exterior doors allow the interior dining to completely open onto the exterior patio.

A large circular bar and adjacent lounge area near the entry provide a comfortable waiting area and encourage bar sales. There are a variety of seating types to provide flexibility for the staff and options for the diners: tables, booths, group tables, group booths, bench seating, bar tables, bar stools, patio tables, and two private dining rooms.

Materials used include cherry wood, leather, steel, and stone which give the restaurant a sophisticated southwestern character. This project was a collaboration with the interior design firm Jones Baker of Dallas, Texas.