In 2008, the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market in New Mexico successful opened a brand new facility, breathing new life to downtown. The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Building is a design-build project by Huitt-Zollars in Albuquerque and Cameron Construction in Santa Fe. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) assisted in developing the initial architectural design concept. The market is LEED gold certificated for energy use, lighting, water and material use. This is the first farmers' market in the country built to meet LEED standards and thus serves as a national trend setter.

Agriculture and architecture intersect at farmers’ markets. USDA has been actively involved with the development of farmers markets and related activities for decades. The design of farmers markets is challenging because of the lack of architectural design standards. The USDA has collaborated nationally with architects to explore design ideas and concepts for farmers market in a variety of historic settings for instance in Syracuse, NY “Central New York Regional Farmers Market” and Kansas City, MO “City Market.” Farmers’ markets are now integral parts of civic plans. Farmers’ markets re-energize public spaces and neighborhoods and provide economic development opportunities for small size farm operations.

Past Design Matters

Central Michigan University—Grand Rapids Center

Charles Hostler Student Center

Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center

Paul Mellon Center for the Arts

Grand Hyatt Washington

Ingalls Ice Arena, Yale University

CityCenter Automated People Mover fabric structure

Supreme Court of the United States