ARC to Begin Construction on Dormitory and Faculty Residence for Portsmouth Abbey School

February 11, 2011

The 27,000-SF building will contain 30 beds and 3 faculty residence units organized in central corridor style; includes sustainable features

Advanced Building Concepts GC
Portsmouth, R.I. —ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge, one of the nation’s leading architectural, planning and interior design firms specializing in educational, sports, science and corporate facilities, announced today that construction has begun on a new student dormitory and faculty residence for the Portsmouth Abbey School.
Portsmouth Abbey School, a coeducational, Catholic Benedictine boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12, is located on a 500-acre campus along the picturesque shores of Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. The 27,000-square-foot building will contain 30 beds and 3 faculty residence units organized in a central corridor style.
This is ARC’s second housing project on the campus, having completed St. Brigid’s House in 2007. The new Boy’s Dorm will incorporate similar design features including a large common room and central study which emphasize the sense of community the school strives to foster. The design will integrate local vernacular as well as elements of the existing architectural style of the campus. The building reinforces the concept of a “campus green” as the heart of the residential zone.
“Portsmouth Abbey is delighted to be breaking ground on a much needed boys’ dormitory. The design and subsequent construction of the girls’ dormitory by ARC in 2007 was a huge success. The amount of light, warmth, and airiness in this girls’ dorm has a significant impact on the students. We expect the same with this new boys’ dorm,” remarked David H. Brown, Business Manager, Portsmouth Abbey School.
Sustainable features include the use of roof-top solar panels which will provide anywhere from sixty to one hundred percent of the building’s hot water needs. Water saving toilets and faucets, energy efficient lighting and appliances as well as an efficient insulation system will also contribute to the building’s sustainable design.
Advanced Building Concepts is the general contractor for the project and will begin construction in March with a scheduled project completion in the Summer of 2012 and occupancy in the Fall of 2012.