Renovations at JWU Center for Physician Assistant Studies Complete

DBVW Architects

Providence, RI—-DBVW Architects was hired to renovate an existing 17,000sf building into new academic medical space for Johnson & Wales University. The renovation transforms a historic building into an open, vibrant, and high-tech facility that includes a gross anatomy lab; a clinical skills practice lab; a 60 person lecture hall; an active learning classroom for 48 students; a library; and administration space.

 

 

The design also features a new entrance and main staircase as well as new lounge and learning commons within 1,800sf of newly constructed space. To meet historic requirements and specific program needs, the exterior ribbon windows include specially screen-printed glass and shadow box assemblies designed to reinterpret the patterns of the original windows while also creating visual depth at glazed areas that would otherwise be flatly opaque.

The exterior also includes custom concrete wall panels that can be easily removed in the future. The DBVW team worked with JWU during the Programming Phase to ensure a building that promotes collaboration and is highly functional.

This state of the art facility features a lecture hall equipped with global teleconferencing capabilities, a clinical skills lab and a gross anatomy lab with ceiling arm mounted computers and e-study guides at each dissection station.

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Michael Viveiros, AIA, Principal, DBWW Architects said:  “ Working with JWU, Shawmut, and our team of consultants we were able to bring the first Physician Assistant program to Rhode Island.  This new technologically advanced facility is the latest addition to Providence’s growing Knowledge District and is a critical piece in building the District into the collaborative, creative and vibrant place envisioned. No less important, the Center is designed to educate students to become PAs with a collaborative and humanistic approach to patient care.  This will have a significant, positive and lasting impact on Rhode Island and beyond.”