Providence, RI
Rhode Island School of Design, Fleet Library
Scope/Solutions
Designed by York & Sawyer, this 1917 Italian Renaissance style building is on the National Register of Historic Places. SGH worked with the architect and was responsible for investigating and analyzing the concrete-encased, steel-framed structure as part of a project to convert the building from banking offices to a school library. With this project, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) gains 55,000 sq ft of usable library space in the building’s 114 ft by 180 ft grand banking hall and housing for 500 RISD students on the upper eight floors.
Highlights of our work include the following:
- Reviewed existing documents and historical literature to gain an understanding of the existing construction
- Investigated the structure’s condition through destructive and nondestructive surveys
- Analyzed the existing structure and the new, digitally fabricated, one-story Reading Room and Circulation Island structures
- Conducted materials and physical testing of mockups to evaluate sustainable materials proposed for nonstandard applications
- Prepared construction documents and provided construction administration services
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Project Summary
2005
Completion Date
Award
Winner
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Structures
Markets
Education
Client(s)
Office dA
Specialized Capabilities
Building Design
Key team members
Additional Projects
Northeast
University of Connecticut, Family Studies Building
The steel-framed, single-paned windows were part of the original circa 1950 construction. SGH developed a window replacement program that preserved the original appearance of the building while improving the windows performance.
Northeast
Wesleyan University, New Science Building
SGH served as the structural engineer of record for the new 196,000 sq ft structure and a 920 sq ft greenhouse addition and provided building enclosure consulting and commissioning services for the project.