URI engineering programs temporarily move to Schneider Electric to make way for building project

HERE IS A rendering of the engineering project at the University of Rhode Island. / COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
HERE IS A rendering of the engineering project at the University of Rhode Island. / COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Three University of Rhode Island engineering programs have temporarily relocated to space leased at Schneider Electric’s offices while construction of a new engineering building is underway at the university.

“This is another great example of how the URI engineering programs are partnering with industry,” Raymond Wright, dean of the URI College of Engineering, said in a statement. “I can’t think of a better place for our students while our new facilities are being built. The Schneider building is not only near to the college, but Schneider is also engaged in engineering. This active engineering environment will create some very interesting student/industry interactions.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Feb. 3 celebrating the temporary location at 132 Fairgrounds Road, which is approximately 2 miles from the Kingston campus.

URI’s electrical, computer and biomedical engineering programs, including laboratories, offices and classrooms, will occupy a total of 30,000 square feet on the first and second floors of the Schneider Electric building.

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To accommodate the demolition of five engineering buildings and construct the new 195,000-square-foot building on the same footprint, nearly all of the university’s engineering programs must temporarily relocate, according to the university. The new engineering building is slated to open in 2019.

The College of Engineering’s year-long capstone design program also relocated to Schneider Electric, in addition to the three programs. The program, for senior-level students, partners them with local companies who want solutions to specific engineering problems. The capstone area at Schneider will feature 3-D printers, a machine shop and technical staff, Wright said.

“We’ve never had a dedicated space where all the capstone design teams can be together and where they can easily interact with faculty members and industry representatives. This is going to be a very positive step for the program, allowing us to test out different configurations in anticipation of moving the program into dedicated space in the new building,” Wright said.

J. Vernon Wyman, URI assistant vice president for business services, said Schneider, as it is in the business of electrical engineering, is looking forward to having the students “enliven the work environment.”

The university is working with Rhode Island Public Transit Authority for a shuttle service to bring students back and forth from campus to Schneider Electric.

Demolition of the existing engineering buildings will take place in early spring, according to the university, and the new building will replace Crawford Hall, Gilbreth Hall, Kelly Hall, Kelly Hall Annex and Wales Hall, all of which opened in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
The new building will house seven of the university’s eight engineering programs: biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering.

The project is being funded through a $125 million bond that Rhode Island voters approved three years ago.

Phase II of the engineering complex project involves the renovation of and an addition to Bliss Hall, built in 1928 and home of the College of Engineering.

Last November, voters approved another bond referendum for $25.5 million for Phase II engineering, and $20 million to fund a university-affiliated Innovation Campus program to establish one or more innovation campuses in the state.

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