Providence, RI – Groundbreaking ceremonies were held recently and construction started on the $42 million Hillside Residence Hall at the University of Rhode Island (URI).
URI President David M. Dooley said Hillside Hall is a critical part of the strategic plan for URI in building a diverse community. “We know that living in a residence hall builds social and leadership skills, enhances students’ ability to relate to those different from themselves and leads to friendships that enrich their lives,” Dooley said. “This building will also be another striking example of our ability to innovate and respond to critical environmental issues that could affect generations to come.”
Hillside Hall is designed to be the gateway of URI’s undergraduate residential district. The five-story structure will house 429 students in double rooms, each with nine-foot-high ceilings, built-in closets and the newest technology. This residence hall is targeted for URI’s freshmen and sophomore classes. The project is located on Baird Hill. The east side of the property will be preserved as woodlands, and existing student residence halls flank the remaining sides.
Lerner Ladds Bartels Architects of Providence designed the building in collaboration with Rhode Island engineering firms Odeh Engineers Inc. (structural), Pare Corporation (civil), and Creative Environment Corp. (mechanical/electrical/plumbing), along with associate architects Mackey Mitchell Architects of St. Louis. Hillside Hall will feature several architectural elements and use many of the traditional materials of neighboring halls, yet will reflect more modern styling and innovative building technologies that will reduce its environmental impact.
Residents will enjoy large windows for natural ventilation and lighting. There will be common lounges, recreation rooms, a classroom and multi-purpose room, and quiet study rooms throughout the building. A strong architectural feature will be the four-story, glass-faced bridge linking the two wings of the building. This structure will offer a connecting central staircase and two-story lounges with outstanding views of the exterior landscaped courtyards.
Hillside Hall will have up to 30 percent of its domestic hot water needs supplied by rooftop solar collectors. The building is designed to meet LEED Silver standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council. Many of the building materials will have recycled content, and the building will also feature naturally ventilated spaces, a vegetated roof, heat-recovery equipment, indoor bicycle storage, and building energy monitors in the main lobby.
The ground floor of the building will house new offices for URI’s Department of Housing and Residential Life. The department will move from its current home in the Roger Williams Commons building, which is being transformed this year into a new student wellness and fitness center.