Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies, Providence College
247 Huxley Ave., Providence
Architect: Symmes Maini & McKee Associates
Construction manager: Dimeo Construction Co.
Cost: $30 million
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BEFORE: The exterior of Dore Hall prior to renovation. / PHOTO COURTESY PROVIDENCE COLLEGE[/caption]
Use: Dore Hall was built in 1930 as the neuropsychiatry ward of the Providence City Hospital (later the Charles V. Chapin Hospital). It was purchased by Providence College in 1974 and later renovated into a dormitory. Early this year, Dimeo Construction Co. transformed the space into the Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies at Providence College. The project included a 42,489-square-foot addition and a complete renovation of the 33,084-square-foot Dore Hall, which was gutted to create office space for faculty and administration. The original brick exterior of Dore Hall is still exposed in a new two-story glass atrium, which connects the former dormitory to the curved classroom addition. The first level of the addition houses a 125-seat, tiered classroom, two 50-seat, data laboratories, two breakout rooms and a lounge. The second floor features four 50-seat, active-learning classrooms, a 30-seat, active-learning classroom and a quiet lounge space. Other amenities include a student café, collaboration rooms, a high-tech trading room and other, smaller laboratories. Learning spaces are technology-driven with a focus on interactive learning experiences, and classrooms are equipped with Skype and Apple TV technology and multimedia capabilities.
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AFTER: The exterior façade of the original Dore Hall, formerly a dormitory, is still visible in the building’s new atrium. The original building now houses offices. / PBN PHOTO/NICOLE DOTZENROD[/caption]
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AFTER: The Ryan Center’s atrium connects the original building to its addition. / PBN PHOTO/NICOLE DOTZENROD[/caption]
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AFTER: A media lab in the new Ryan Center, which students refer to as “the spaceship,” was designed for technology-based learning. / PBN FILE PHOTOS/NICOLE DOTZENROD[/caption]