KBE Underway with RIC Renovation – DPC Architect – Sgarzi Athletic Design

June 29, 2011

Providence, RI – KBE Building Corporation began renovation of the 70,000sf recreation center at Rhode Island College (RIC) last month.

Providence, RI – KBE Building Corporation began renovation of the 70,000sf recreation center at Rhode Island College (RIC) last month. The $12.5 million project is part of an overall plan by the college to enhance and modernize student life around the campus. Once completed, the facility will house a number of support functions for recreational and fitness activities. Included in the plan are a weight room, a multi-purpose dance studio, a field house and natatorium. The renovation will also include necessary and extensive HVAC system upgrades andarchitectural renovations.
KBE is working with Design Partnership of Cambridge (DPC) and Sgarzi Associates on the recreation center renovation project, which is part of a campus-wide effort to modernize student life facilities on campus. The design team worked closely with RIC to evaluate the viability of reprogramming the existing building to better serve campus recreational needs. The team conducted several user-driven forums to better understand and accommodate the needs of faculty, students and staff.
Based on those results, DPC developed a program and design solution that will create an architectural companion to the existing athletic building, address circulation and security complexity within the existing facility, create an inviting recreational complex for the campus community, maximize daylight into interior spaces, provide multi-use functionality for sports and special events. The program will also provide space for fitness, weight room and multipurpose rooms, social gatherings, and a sports medicine area.
As part of addressing urgent building needs, the renovation will include necessary and extensive HVAC system upgrades and architectural renovations.
The KBE on-site construction team is currently coordinating the interior demolition work in preparation for the renovations. Wiring and fire safety resources are also being installed.
KBE is phasing the project to keep the recreation center operational throughout. The weight room facilities have been temporarily relocated to the field house, and the pool and field house will remain open over the summer.
Completion date is scheduled for January 2012.