SLAM creates new $50m science complex at Providence College

Providence, RI The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) brings a new vision for the science complex at Providence College that is founded on creating an addition that represents a new front entrance that will become a showpiece for research and teaching.  The addition’s design uses stone as a base material that begins at the entrance and presents a three-story expression of science that continues throughout the facility. The goal of faculty and administration is to bring the excitement of what is happening in the building to the surrounding quadrangle. Their vision continues with the transformation of three adjacent brick buildings to the lab and research space.

On August 22,  the “Blessing of Beams and Raising” ceremony was held at Providence College, signaling the completion of a key construction milestone for the new addition to the Albertus Magnus Science Complex, designed by SLAM. The new $50 million multi-phased project, an initiative of the campus transformation project, is contained within three adjoining buildings and include a 36,000 s/f addition to the existing 70,000 s/f science complex, which will also undergo extensive renovations currently in design. The complex houses teaching and research space for the biology, chemistry and biochemistry, psychology, and engineering-physics-?systems departments. 

“The new addition embraces the energy of the faculty, researchers and scholars who will advance the sciences at Providence College. The existing science complex will be transformed by replacing existing windows and expanding interior layouts to create a science loft setting” says Neil Martin, AIA, lead designer and SLAM principal.

Since 2013, SLAM’s team of programmers, planners, and interior designers have worked closely with key stakeholders in developing a program that will encourage collaboration amongst students and faculty within a multi-disciplinary environment across a variety of spaces including classrooms, lecture halls, labs, offices, seminar rooms, collaborative areas, and student/faculty common areas. In addition to full architectural services, SLAM also provided pre-construction estimating, structural engineering and landscape architectural services.

“This is an exciting time of transformation at Providence College, as it readies the campus for today’s learners and next generation classes to come.  The new addition to the Science Complex represents a commitment to providing high-performing spaces to advance the sciences and educate future leaders in environments that inform and positively impact teaching and learning outcomes,” says Richard Polvino, AIA, LEED AP, SLAM principal-in-charge on the project.

The new addition is expected to be completed in autumn 2018, with the multi-phased renovation continuing into the following years. Construction is being provided by BOND Brothers Construction. 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 s/f Ruane Center for Humanities, and is currently leading the Huxley Ave. transformation project, a pedestrian thoroughfare to replace the roadways surrounding Huxley Ave. and provide a link between east and west campus.