WaterFire Arts Center
An exciting addition to Providence's Woonasquatucket Corridor District, this historic industrial building consolidates WaterFire Providence’s operations and expands their mission by serving as a multi-purpose venue for exhibitions, community gatherings, and events which benefit a wide variety of cultural arts, institutional, educational, and community organizations. The adaptive re-use design approach was light-handed in order to preserve and respect the building's industrial history and appearance while carefully inserting new architectural elements to ensure modern functionality. A new mezzanine level was created to provide space for administrative offices by suspending new steel floor structure from original gantry crane rails. The flexibility of the space, particularly the main hall, accommodates the organization’s varied programming as well as community partnerships.
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"Before the WaterFire Arts Center, we were placemakers without our own place. Thanks to DBVW and the entire project team, we now have a home in the community and an amazing new arts and cultural resource for all Rhode Islanders."
Peter Mello - Managing Director of WaterFire Providence
2019 Providence Preservation Society Award
2017 AIA Rhode Island People’s Choice Award
2017 AIA Rhode Island Citation Award for Adaptive Reuse
2017 Rhody Award for Historic Preservation
2017 Outstanding Smart Growth Projects