a history of excellence
70+ years of pushing boundaries
Getting started
A legacy of engineering pioneers
In 1951, mechanical engineers, Frank Bridgers and Don Paxton, founded the company we know of (and love) today as Bridgers & Paxton. Just like our founders, we're not just trying to find any solution, but an innovative one - like when they designed the first solar-heated office building in 1956. From the very beginning our leadership has shaped the engineering industry; their involvement as local and national Presidents of ASHRAE and ACEC inspire our current leadership to carry the legacy (or torch) forward.
In the past seventy years, we've augmented our capabilities by incorporating controls and electrical engineering in the 1990s, alongside a diverse array of services such as technology design, energy modeling, and BIM. Our evolution throughout the years has allowed us to expand our portfolio with new projects and clients and maintain longstanding ones such as Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, both of whom have been clients for over 70 years.
What began as two eager mechanical engineers starting a new venture in a tiny garage has grown to a company of 130+ employees, three offices, and a well-respected reputation.
OUR HISTORY
Thru the years with Bridgers & paxton
May 1951
Frank Bridgers created the first independent mechanical consulting engineering firm in New Mexico. Don Paxton joined the firm in September 1951.
1951
B&P's first project was an air conditioning systems renovation at Sandia Base (now Sandia National Laboratories) for the Atomic Energy Commission.
1951
B&P's first Kirtland Army Air Field (now Kirtland Air Force Base) project was for alterations to the Commissary Sales and Central Refrigeration Buildings.
1954
B&P's first University of New Mexico project was designing systems for Electrical Engineering Building in 1954.
1954
Simms Building is on the National Register of Historic Places. B&P designed the building with a geothermal heat pump system that used groundwater for heating and cooling.
1955
B&P's first White Sands Proving Grounds project was mechanical system engineering for the Missile Assembly Buildings 7 & 8.
1956
Bridgers & Paxton Solar Building was completed and is the world’s 1st solar heated office building. The building is also on the
National Register of Historic Places.
1957
The Bridgers & Paxton Solar Building was featured in the December 1957 issue of Life Magazine.
1960
Presbyterian Hospital B Tower Addition
1961
Winrock Shopping Center
1962
Rosenzweig Center's first high-rise office building was completed. The building was constructed by the Del Webb Corporation and became it's headquarters in 1962.
1964
Albuquerque City Hall Building
1966
New Mexico State Capitol Building. It is the only round state capitol in the United States, and is known informally as "the Roundhouse".
1966
University of New Mexico Basketball Arena “The Pit”
1968
Public Service Company of New Mexico's New 12-Story Office Building
1969
B&P installs its first in-house computer the IBM 1130.
1971
Albuquerque Convention Center
1972
Colorado State University Central Campus Refrigeration Study
1973
Phoenix Metrocenter Mall Shops
1975
Don Paxton Retires
1975
New Mexico State University’s Department of Agriculture Building with solar heating & cooling.
1976
B&P celebrates 25 years in business.
1979
B&P receives Owens Corning’s National Energy Conservation Award for the design of Argonne National Laboratory’s Program Support Facility.
1980
Public Service Company of New Mexico's New Alvarado Square Building with a south wall of solar collectors and a recovery heat pump system with thermal storage.
1981
Ethicon, Inc. Medical Device Manufacturing Plant
1982
University of Wyoming New Basketball Arena and Athletic Center
1984
B&P begins using CADD software for design projects.
1985
B&P establishes a full services office in Phoenix, AZ.
1987
Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Building
1987
Arizona State University West Campus Central Utility Plant
1988
B&P started working under its first Los Alamos National Laboratory On-call Contract in 1988 and continues to work for LANL under current contracts. B&P's experience on the Los Alamos Lab site began in 1952 and continues today.
1989
Phoenix Plaza Towers One & Two
1990
Albuquerque Convention Center East Expansion and New Parking Structure
1991
Frank Bridgers Retires January 1, 1991.
1991
B&P adds a Controls Design Group to the Albuquerque Office.
1991
B&P celebrates 40 years in business.
1992
B&P started working under its first Sandia National Laboratories On-call Contract in 1992 and continues to work for SNL under current contracts. B&P's experience on the Sandia site began in 1951 and continues today.
1992
University of Wyoming American Heritage Center
1994
Phoenix City Hall with Thermal Storage Systems
1995
B&P adds Electrical Engineering Capabilities
1996
Albuquerque BioPark New Aquarium & Botanic Gardens
1998
EMCORE Solar Manufacturing Facility - B&P's First Design-Build Delivery Method Project
1999
Albuquerque Academy Natatorium
1999
City of Albuquerque Public Safety Communications Center
1999
Newport Aquarium & Penguin Exhibit
2000
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Albuquerque Temple
2001
B&P celebrates 50 years in business.
2001
B&P creates a Technology Design Group with Registered Communications Distribution Designers.
2002
State of New Mexico Archives Building.
2003
Baca/Dlo'Ay Azhi Community School was B&P and the State of New Mexico's First LEED certified building. B&P has been a member of the USGBC since 2001.
2003
B&P began providing engineering services to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in 2003.
2005
Miraval Resort & Spa Addition & Renovation
2005
Tempur-Pedic Albuquerque Mattress Manufacturing Facility
2005
Sandia Resort & Casino
2006
Albuquerque Uptown Mixed-Use Development
2006
Johnson & Johnson Juarez Manufacturing Plant
2006
University of Arizona Law Commons Building
2007
Albuquerque Studios
2007
University of New Mexico, Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion & Children's Hospital Building
2008
Arizona State University Global Institute of Sustainability
2008
Rice University New South Central Plant
2008
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Strategic Computing Complex Roadrunner Supercomputer Platform Upgrades
2009
Rio Rancho Public Schools, V. Sue Cleveland High School
2009
Kirtland Air Force Base, D-B Armed Forces Reserve Training Center
2010
B&P establishes a full services office in Colorado Springs, CO.
2010
State of New Mexico, New Mexico Scientific Laboratories Building
2010
University of New Mexico, Basketball Arena "The Pit" Renovation and Expansion
2011
B&P celebrates 60 years in business.
2011
Presbyterian Healthcare Services, New Rust Medical Center
2012
Sandia National Laboratories, Molten Salt Test Loop
2012
Bal Seal Engineering New Office and Manufacturing Facility
2012
University of New Mexico, New Sandoval Regional Medical Center
2013
State of Colorado, Army National Guard Alamosa New Readiness Center
2014
Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Reverend Hugh Cooper Administrative Center/Corporate Headquarters Complex
2015
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Strategic Computing Complex Trinity Supercomputer Platform Upgrades
2015
Montezuma-Cortez School District, New Montezuma-Cortez High School
2016
Yuma Regional Medical Center Emergency Department Expansion
2017
Kirtland Air Force Base, D-B Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Sustainment Center Phases I & II
2019
University of New Mexico, Physics, Astronomy & Interdisciplinary Science Center Building
2019
Academy District 20, Legacy Peak Elementary & Challenger Learning Center
2019
City of Albuquerque, ABQ BioPark / Albuquerque Zoo New "Penguin Chill" Exhibit Building
2020
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Strategic Computing Complex Crossroads Exascale-Class Computer Platform Upgrades
2020
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, New Customer Service / Operations Facility, Warehouse & Fleet Facility
2021
Bernalillo County, D-B New Government Center / Alvarado Square Renovation & New Commission Chambers Building
2021
B&P celebrates 70 years in business.
2021
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, New Headquarters & Visitor Center
2022
Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Presbyterian Hospital New Patient Tower
2022
Maricopa County Administrative Building Renovation
2022
Lukachukai Community Replacement School, Dormitory, Teacher Housing & Fire Station / Maintenance Building
RANKINGS
We've got awards to prove it
MEP Giants
Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 2024
Giants 400 Report
Building Design + Construction, 2024
New Mexico Top Workplaces
Albuquerque Journal, 2024
Top NM Engineering Firms
Albuquerque Business First, 2024
Southwest Top MEP Engineering Firms
ENR Southwest, 2024
Best in Business Engineering Firms
Colorado Springs Business Journal, 2023 & 2019
it's a major award
We design some pretty cool systems and other people think so too. Here are a few of our latest honors.
- American Council of Engineering Companies – New Mexico, 2023 Engineering Excellence Award – Grand Conceptor, Bernalillo County @ Alvarado Square Project
- American Council of Engineering Companies – New Mexico, 2021 Engineering Excellence Award – Grand Conceptor, Los Alamos National Laboratory, SCC Exascale-Class Computer Cooling Equipment Project
- American Council of Engineering Companies, 2021 Engineering Excellence Awards – National Recognition Award, Los Alamos National Laboratory, SCC Exascale-Class Computer Cooling Equipment Project
- American Institute of Architects-New Mexico, 2023 Elevate Design Distinguished Architecture Award, Gallup-McKinley County Schools New Lincoln Elementary School
- American Institute of Architects-Albuquerque, 2022 Honor Award, General Design Category, Gallup-McKinley County Schools Lincoln Elementary School
- American Institute of Architects-Albuquerque, 2022 Citation Award, Remodel and Adaptive Reuse Category, University of New Mexico Farris Engineering Center
- American Institute of Architects-Albuquerque, 2022 Citation Award, Kewa Childcare & Family Engagement Center
- American Institute of Architects-Albuquerque, 2022 Special Recognition Award, General Design Category, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Customer Services & Operations Facility
- American Institute of Architects-Albuquerque, 2022 Merit Award, General Design Category, City of Albuquerque International District Library
- American Institute of Architects-Albuquerque, 2022 Merit Award, General Design Category, Lea County Judicial Complex
- American Institute of Architects-New Mexico, 2021 Distinguished Architecture Honor Award, University of New Mexico McKinnon Center for Management
- American Institute of Architects-New Mexico, 2021 Distinguished Architecture Merit Award, Albuquerque Public Schools Sandia Mountain Natural History Center
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2023 Best Buildings Award - Grand Prize of Show, Albuquerque Public Schools Early College Academy Renovation
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2024 Best Buildings Award - $20 Million and Over, City of Albuquerque BioPark Zoo Asia Multi-Level Exhibits & Expansion
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2024 Best Buildings Award - $5 to $10 million Category, NMIMT Brown Hall Administration Building Renovation
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2024 Best Buildings Award - $10 to $20 million Category, State of New Mexico Vladem Contemporary Art Museum
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2024 Best Buildings Award - Construction Management / CMAR Category, Presbyterian Healthcare, Downtown Hospital New Patient Tower
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2024 Best Buildings Award - LEED Certifiable Project Category, New Mexico National Laboratory, New Emergency Response Center
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2023 Best Buildings Award - $20 million and Over Category, New Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2023 Best Buildings Award - $2.5 to $5 million Category, UNM Taos Campus New College Pathways to Careers Center
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2023 Best Buildings Award - LEED Project Category, San Juan College New Student Housing (Nizhóní Sunrise Suites)
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2022 Best Buildings Award - Grand Prize of Show, UNM Phase 2 Renovations at Clark Hall Chemistry Building
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2022 Best Buildings Award - $20 million and Over Category, Sandia Resort & Casino South Expansion D-B
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2022 Best Buildings Award - Design-Build Category, Confidential Federal Entity D-B Office Building
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2022 Best Buildings Award - Municipal & Utilities Category, ABCWUA Customer Service and Operations Facility
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2021 Best Buildings Award $20 million and Over Category, University of New Mexico Johnson Athletic Center Expansion & Renovation
- Associated General Contractors of New Mexico, 2021 Best Buildings Award Design-Build Category, Pueblo of Laguna New Elementary School
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2021 Best Buildings Award LEED Certifiable Project Category, New Mexico National Laboratory Design-Build Z-Support Facility
- Associated General Contractors of NM, 2020 Best Buildings Award - $20 Million and Over, UNM Physics and Astronomy Interdisciplinary Science (PAIS) Building
- Design-Build Institute of America - National, 2022 Best in Process Award & Rehabilitation, Renovation and/or Restoration Merit Award, Bernalillo County @ Alvarado Square Project
- ENR Southwest, 2019 Best Projects Award – Sports/Entertainment, City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque BioPark Penguin Chill Exhibit
- Illuminating Engineering Society-Phoenix Section, 2024 Local Chapter Award for Interior Lighting Design, Maricopa County Administration Building "Re-Stack" Renovation Project
- NAIOP-New Mexico Chapter, 2023 Awards of Excellence – Civic / Public, City of Albuquerque New International Library
- NAIOP-New Mexico Chapter, 2023 Awards of Excellence – Education / Mixed, New Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School & Dormitory Building
- NAIOP-New Mexico Chapter, 2023 Awards of Excellence – Medical, Presbyterian Downtown Hospital New Patient Tower F
- NAIOP-New Mexico Chapter, 2022 Awards of Excellence – Medical, Presbyterian Healthcare Rust Medical Center Office Building Addition
- NAIOP-New Mexico Chapter, 2021 Awards of Excellence – Community & Civic Public Large, Jicarilla Apache Wellness Center
- NAIOP-NM Chapter, 2021 Awards of Excellence – Community & Civic Public Small, Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters & Visitor Center
- NAIOP-New Mexico Chapter, 2021 Awards of Excellence – Education, UNM Johnson Center Expansion and Renovation
- NAIOP-New Mexico Chapter, 2020 Awards of Excellence – Industrial/Infrastructure, EMERA Technologies Kirtland Resiliency Project
- NAIOP-New Mexico Chapter, 2020 Awards of Excellence – Education, Santa Fe Public Schools – Aspen Community School
- PNM Resources, 2021 PNM Business Energy Efficiency Star Award - New Construction Program, UNM Physics and Astronomy Interdisciplinary Science Building