On May 12, the University of Rhode Island broke ground on their new $125 million engineering school. Governor Gina Raimondo, University of Rhode Island (URI) president David Dooley and URI College of Engineering Dean Raymond Wright joined other State, University and business leaders in a ceremonial groundbreaking to launch construction of URI’s new $125 million engineering complex.
The facility, with two 72-seat “active classrooms” and a 60-seat “active learning classroom,” as well as vibration proof laboratories, a clean room, computer labs, offices, a café and more, is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. The key feature of the building is the truss support system, which is often used in bridge and design construction. The new engineering facility will have three trusses, which eliminate the need for interior support columns or posts and allow for large, open spaces.
Ballinger is the prime architect, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, and structural engineer on the project, and DBVW Architects is the associate architectural firm. The associate structural engineering firm is Odeh Engineers of North Providence. The owner’s representative is Hill International, an international firm with an office in Providence. The construction management firm is Dimeo Construction Co. of Providence.
Rendering: Courtesy of Ballinger
