CNM/RIO RANCHO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
RioTECH AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

SMPC is leading the design of the new 43,800-square-foot Automotive Technology Center, the second major facility on the RioTECH campus in Rio Rancho. This ambitious project is the result of a forward-thinking partnership between Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) and Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS). Together, they are redefining how high school and adult learners access skilled trades and career technical education through co-located, dual-credit programs.

Designed as a comprehensive training environment, the new facility will house CNM’s Automotive Technology and Electric Vehicle Technology programs, along with introductory courses in Light Diesel Technology. Specialized labs emulate real-world repair shops, providing immersive, hands-on training with professional-grade tools and current industry technologies. Each lab features adjacent classrooms and instructor offices featuring large windows, allowing full visibility into the lab spaces to support real-time instruction and ensure safety.

The building features tilt-up concrete construction, integrating aesthetics, structure, and durable finishes into a single efficient system. Dramatic 82-foot clear-span, bottom chord-bearing joists define the lab spaces, creating expansive, column-free environments that provide exceptional flexibility and openness. Each lab is lined with nearly continuous translucent wall panels, filling the interior with soft, natural daylight to create bright, safe, and energy-efficient learning conditions. At night, these panels transform the building into glowing lanterns, drawing attention to the program and celebrating the innovation within. Flexibility was a driving design principle, ensuring the facility can adapt gracefully to evolving technologies and instructional needs.

In addition to dedicated lab and classroom spaces, the building includes individual tool rooms for each lab, an EV battery storage room, an automotive electrical systems lab, a student commons with access to an outdoor courtyard, and secure exterior storage for up to 95 training vehicles. At the main entry, a reception area, conference room, and community showroom provide space to showcase student work, display vehicles, and celebrate the evolving careers within the transportation trades.

SMPC’s design supports a flexible, student-centered learning experience aligned with the region’s workforce needs. The facility allows students to complete both academic coursework and technical training in one integrated setting—eliminating the travel typically required for trades education. It also opens opportunities for adult learners seeking career advancement or retraining in high-demand technical fields.

As CNM celebrates its 60th anniversary, the Automotive Technology Center honors the institution’s legacy of hands-on education while positioning its students—and New Mexico’s economy—for a dynamic future in transportation technology.