CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

The Pecos Campus is the "flagship" of CGCC and as such needs to develop a cohesive architectural image that is representative of the College's stature as an educational institution. The enrollment figures sited earlier in this report indicate that this campus needs to be more urban by nature than it does sub-urban or rural. The relative density grows out of several determinants. One is the need to park the student, faculty, and staff population. Another is the large amount of land necessary for open space such as play fields, and water retention. And a third is the expressed need for outside teaching and gathering places coupled with strong axial pedestrian paths. All of these lead to less land available for buildings indicating that buildings must both huddle closely together and grow upwards into multi-story structures.

This report proposes placing one of the larger building masses on the campus' north end to conclude the main north/south axis. Furthermore, the largest mass, the Wellness/Athletics Center, should be placed between the east edge of the campus and the west edge of the playing fields. With these two buildings in place, the future growth of the campus is well defined. Subjugate to the placement of these two buildings is the remainder of the building program which becomes either infill or expansion to existing facilities.

Buildings should be sited to create exterior places for people. These exterior spaces should be configured so that can be used for both formal and informal education as well as simply offering relief from the noonday sun.

Materials Palette
The architectural vocabulary of the Pecos Campus is southwest in nature in that it is derived from the Pueblo style. The materials currently used to express this vocabulary are stucco, stone, and integrally colored, modular masonry (8 x 8 x 16) finished in the colors of the Sonoran desert. As the campus grows to the extent described in this master plan, the established palette of color and texture shall be used to develop continuity among the diverse buildings. It is the recommendation of this master plan to employ more stone, and integrally colored modular masonry in the future in order to enhance continuity while creating a sense of permanence. Stone and modular masonry present an appropriate palette for creating texture, juxtaposed with more uniform stucco finishes. Emphasis should be given to masonry elements. Hardscape should continue in its present pattern with the use of natural, gray concrete contrasted with colored concrete at crossroads and building entries.