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New Mexico Highlands students work in the restored trolley barn, now home to the media arts program. (Kirk Gittings Photography)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Baker A+D architecture firm has been awarded the Jeff Harnar Award from the Thornburg Foundation for its work on the historic trolley barn at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M.

The award is meant to recognize architecture that pushes boundaries and envelopes, according to a news release announcing the award.

The building, which dates to 1905, was renovated to house the school’s Media Arts and Technology Program in 2016.

“Baker A+D’s goal was to celebrate the history of the site through the juxtaposition of modern and historic materials,” according to the news rlease. “The interior features exposed stone walls, polished concrete floors, exposed steel structure and a preserved steel barn door.”

The 21,000-square-foot project cost $8.3 million to complete, including construction, furnishings and equipment, according to NMHU.

The award comes with a $10,000 prize. The jury chair for the event was Marc Tsurumaki of Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL) Architects in New York City.