Providence College New Science Complex Addition and Albertus Magnus Hall Renovation / photo: Alain Jaramillo
Providence, RI –The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) recently completed the programming, planning, and design of a new 36,000sf science complex addition connected to the existing 70,000sf Albertus Magnus Hall at Providence College.
In addition to full architectural services, SLAM provided preconstruction estimating, structural engineering, and landscape architecture services. Construction of the addition project is being provided by BOND Brothers Construction of Everett, Mass.
The addition creates a new front entrance for the teaching and research facility, which is part of a $50 million multiphased project, an initiative of the Campus Transformation Project, contained within three adjoining buildings. The Science Complex houses state-of-the-art spaces for the biology, chemistry and biochemistry, psychology, and engineering-physics-systems departments.
“The new addition achieves the goal of faculty and administration to bring the excitement of what is happening in the building to the surrounding quadrangle,” says Neil Martin, AIA, lead designer and SLAM principal, Boston office. “The existing science complex will be renovated by replacing existing windows and expanding interior layouts to create a science culture that will advance research.”
The building’s large expanse of curtainwall lends the modern and open interior spaces a beautiful background of exterior focal points — campus walkways and gardens, and adjacent structures. The palette of interior colors and materials defines the science disciplines and aids in way finding. This color intent is captured in flooring pattern designs, wall surface accents, bright mechanical duct colors in open plenum ceilings, and in furniture finishes and upholstery.
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SLAM’s team of programmers, planners, and interior designers have worked closely with key stakeholders in developing a program that encourages collaboration among students and faculty within a multi-disciplinary environment across a variety of spaces including state-of-the-art classrooms, lecture halls, labs, offices, seminar rooms, collaborative areas, and student/faculty common areas. The common areas are the highlight of the building as it knits together the program and becomes the catalyst for an advanced science culture.
SLAM has a longstanding relationship with Providence College that includes completion of a comprehensive master plan in support of the College’s 2017 Centennial and implementation of the Campus Transformation Project. As part of the campus transformation, SLAM has recently completed the programming and design of the new 64,000-square foot Ruane Center for Humanities, and is currently leading the Huxley Avenue Transformation project, a pedestrian thoroughfare to replace the roadways surrounding Huxley Avenue and provide a link between east and west campus.
