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International competition winners URS Corporation and Foster + Partners have unveiled the renderings for soon-to-be-realized New Mexico Spaceport Authority Building in Las Cruces, New Mexico where both commercial and tourism launches will be held. Richard Branson' Virgin Galactic operation will make a cozy headquarters nest in the low-lying, 100,000 square-foot structure. Construction will begin in 2008.

The design is from a U.S.-British team, consisting of URS Corporation and Foster + Partners. They created a low-lying, striking design that uses natural earth as a berm, and relies on passive energy for heating and cooling, with photovoltaic panels for electricity and water recycling capabilities. A rolling concrete shell acts as a roof with massive windows opening to a stunning view of the runway and spacecraft.

via dezeen