Providence College, Comprehensive Master Plan

Providence, Rhode Island

Firm

SMMA

Client

Providence College

Area

4,573,842 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$75,000,000

The Providence College campus has grown through acquisition of properties and construction of new buildings. The new master plan creates new places on campus: a new “cultural” quadrangle, fronted by the new Center for the Arts; a new residence hall; an existing residence hall (Fennell Hall); an academic building (Howley Hall); a new campus space adjacent to Harkins Hall, adjoining the existing Student Center common; and a new athletic precinct, with additional playing fields and improved circulation between various athletic venues.
The master plan creates a twin circulation spine, tying all the major campus buildings, spaces and functions together. It orders the space between the buildings and works to knit the two halves of the campus together. A pedestrian precinct is created at the crossing of Huxley Avenue by using a change in grade and narrowing the roadway at the crosswalk. The “table top” crossing will serve to slow traffic and provide a physical reminder to the change in the character of the street. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic is separated, and a hierarchy of paths, walkways and major circulation routes were created. The participatory approach to the master-planning work encouraged “buy-in“ and ownership of the plan by a cross-section of the community.
Note: Total cost based on square-footage unite cost for suggested master plan program development over 12 years