Vision 3 Architects design for Johnson & Wales University's Grace Welcome Center located on the Harborside Campus, has been awarded LEED Gold Certification for new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council.
For the nearly 4,000 students enrolled in JWU's culinary and graduate programs at the Harborside Campus, Grace Welcome Center stands as a gateway to their careers, and also serves as the first stop and first impression for visitors arriving at the Johnson & Wales' campus. The 7,700 s/f facility is the university's second LEED Certified Building. Every design decision, ranging from building materials to fixtures and furniture selections, were chosen because of their unique environmentally friendly characteristics and reduced impact on the environment.
The Grace Welcome Center, situated on a former brownfield site, was designed to complement surrounding campus buildings. The one and a half clearstory lobby space provides visitors with an inviting and user-friendly setting, and expands to a gallery area that features displays of culinary artifacts from the university's museum. The building also functions as a conference center, providing the university with the ability to host various types of functions. The facility accommodates a large multi-use presentation room with audio and video systems, administrative offices, and meeting space. The building façade consists mainly of large spans of glass strategically placed to offer visitors' views of the campus, maximize daylight, and minimize the use of artificial lighting. An outdoor terrace and amphitheater with views of Narragansett Bay opens up from the main conference space and has become a sought-after location for special functions and receptions.