University of Rhode Island Opens Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering

The University of Rhode Island opened the $150 million Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering in September of 2019 in Kingston. Designed by Ballinger to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, the six-story, 190,000-sf facility provides three large active-learning classrooms, teaching and research labs, core instrumentation suites, two computer labs, a robotics lab, a 24/7 student maker space, and capstone project areas. The building also offers 90 faculty offices, six faculty lounges, and six conference rooms. Built by Dimeo Construction Company, the structure utilizes a unique truss support system that eliminates the need for interior columns. The project also included the renovation of Bliss Hall and the demolition of five outdated engineering buildings. DBVW was the associate architect, with Odeh Engineers as structural engineering consultant and Hill International as owner's representative. Ground was broken on the facility in April of 2017.