University of New Mexico Crisis Triage Center — Albuquerque, NM

9Wood’s Role in the Project

Amid this carefully crafted environment, 9Wood’s 2700 Kerf Reveal Linear panels in Cherry were selected to enrich interior atmospheres with warmth, elegance, and a sense of calm. Their rhythmic linearity and fine finish offer both a tactile and visual backdrop that supports the facility’s healing-centered design—subtly reinforcing the integrity, dignity, and human focus of the BHCC experience.

Positioned adjacent to the University Psychiatric Center on the UNM North Campus, this Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) was conceived and executed as a thoughtful expansion of psychiatric services—blending outpatient stabilization, peer-led support, and emergency psychiatry within a unified, cohesive environment.

Davis Partnership Architects, together with McClain + Yu, carefully tailored spatial flows to accommodate three core program areas:

• Crisis Triage Center (CTC): Offers 16 single-patient rooms for medium-acuity stabilization (up to 14 days), with group therapy and observation zones..
• Peer Living Room (PLR): A welcoming drop-in environment staffed by certified peer support workers, providing de-escalation services and supportive coaching, accessible through a dedicated entrance and lobby.
• Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES): The state’s only 24/7 psychiatric emergency room—designed for individuals with higher acuity and featuring discreet access for public safety and law enforcement.

Specialized design strategies like daylighting, ligature-resistant detailing, clear and separate entry points, and safety-conscious circulation underpin the user-centric and therapeutic ethos of the facility.

HB Construction mobilized in July 2022, implementing perimeter fencing, wayfinding signage, and safe circulation protocols to protect adjacent occupied medical facilities during construction. After nearly two years, the center opened its doors on June 25, 2024, following a celebratory ribbon-cutting held in mid-June.