Skip to main content

Robert L. Torres and Associates Job Files and Other Material

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-781-BC

Scope and Content

The Robert L. Torres and Associates Job Files and Other Materials collection consists primarily of Robert L. Torres and Associates job files. In addition, the collection contains Robert L. Torres' miscellaneous professional and personal files. The job files include many public and parochial schools, churches, fire stations, state and community projects, and private businesses and residences in New Mexico. Some specific projects in the collection include the New Mexico State Hospital (1966), Las Vegas, N.M.; the Albuquerque Public School Program Facility (1980), Albuquerque, N.M.; Belen Housing Project (1981), Belen, N.M.; the energy award-winning Sunland Park Elementary School (1982), Santa Teresa, N.M.; Acoma Pueblo Housing Project (1985), Acoma, N.M.; St. Therese Church Community Center (1986), Albuquerque, N.M.; the Bernalillo County Courthouse (1991), Albuquerque, N.M.

Dates

  • 1974-1991
  • Majority of material found within 1981-1988

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biographical Informationy

Robert L. Torres was born May 2, 1935 in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Jefferson High School in San Antonio in 1953, attended Trinity University, San Antonio College, and received his training in architecture at the University of Texas. Torres worked as an architectural draftsman for Lawrence A. Garcia & Associates, Architects, in Albuquerque. In January1967 Torres received his license to practice architecture in New Mexico and entered private practice as an architect in Albuquerque in 1968. Torres was also a registered architect in Arizona and Colorado. In 1977 he completed training in Energy Conservation at the New Mexico Energy Institute at the University of New Mexico, and was certified in Financial Analysis of Building Projects by the American Institute of Architects.

His firm Robert L. Torres and Associates designed many public and community projects throughout New Mexico including public and parochial schools, childcare centers, hospitals, and low-income housing projects including the Home Education Livelihood Program (H.E.L.P.) for the elderly, the Chandler LULAC Village in Arizona, and the LULAC Proyecto Bienvenido in Albuquerque. Other notable projects include the New Mexico State Hospital, the Acoma Pueblo Housing Project, University of New Mexico Married Student Housing, and the Martineztown Urban Renewal Project.

New Mexico Governor Jerry Apodaca appointed Torres to the General Construction Board of New Mexico (1976); as a member of the Regional Housing Authority (1977), and Chairman of the New Mexico Construction Industries Advisory Board (1978). Torres was reappointed to the Advisory Board in 1979 by Governor Bruce King. In 1984 Torres won the National Award for Energy Innovation for his energy-saving earth-sheltered design for the Sunland Park Elementary School in Albuquerque. Torres was a member of the Environmental Planning Commission for the City of Albuquerque, and Chairman of the Regional Housing Authority for Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrence, and Valencia Counties in New Mexico. Torres was also a co-founder and Chairman of the Coronado Savings and Loan Association. Additionally, Torres was an active member of the Albuquerque Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and served as Chairman of the AHCC Discovery 1992 Committee. Torres became a certified planner and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 1997.

Extent

6 Boxes (5.45 cu. ft.)

Abstract

The Robert L. Torres and Associates collection consists primarily of job files, but also includes Robert Torres' miscellaneous professional files and personal files.

Arrangement

Organized into three series:
  1. Job Files, 1974-1991
  2. Miscellaneous Professional Projects
  3. Personal Files, 1987

Related Archival Material

Robert L. Torres and Associates Architectural Drawings Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico

Processing Information

Processing completed January 25, 2007.
Title
Finding Aid of the Robert L. Torres and Associates Job Files and Other Material, 1974-1991
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Ramona Rand-Caplan
Date
©2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451