PROVIDENCE – Johnson & Wales University has hired Boston-based ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge to design a 30,000-square-foot student services center in a two-story building that began life as a jewelry factory.
The center will consolidate academic services now scattered across the campus, to create “a one-stop experience for students,” Rob Quigley, a principal at ARC, said in a statement today.
“Our goal is to create a convenient, friendly and engaging facility where students will have access to academic services including registrar functions and counseling, university financial aid, financial planning, student IDs and the international center,” Quigley said. The center also is to include multi-purpose space for student use.
“We are excited to be working with ARC on this project,” said Irving Schneider, president of JWU’s Providence campus.
He praised the firm for its “willingness to understand and interpret Johnson & Wales’ building needs to centralize our student services while preserving the historic integrity of the Rolo Building, a former prominent landmark in Providence’s jewelry district.”
Owned by JWU since 1997, the property has been used mostly for staff and faculty parking. Now, the former factory building is to be fully renovated and upgraded.
“Our design solution respects the historical and architectural elements of this 1921 brick building,” Quigley said. “The building’s large industrial windows and clerestory monitors will be updated to improve natural ‘day-lighting’ and energy efficiency while keeping with the building’s historic character.”
The center will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2008, ARC said.
Architectural Resources Cambridge, founded in 1969, specializes in the design of educational, sports, corporate, science, biotechnology and R&D facilities. ARC’s academic clients include Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Massachusetts. Additional information is available at www.arcusa.com.
Johnson & Wales University, founded in 1914, is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in food service, hospitality, education, business and technology. JWU has more than 16,000 students at its campuses in Providence, North Miami, Denver and Charlotte, N.C. Additional information is available at jwu.edu.
