John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University

John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography

JOHN J. BOWEN CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND INNOVATION AT JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY

Architectural Resources Cambridge

Category
Science Center, University

LOCATION
Providence, United States

YEAR
2016

AREA
71000 ft²

MANUFACTURERS
ALPOLIC, AutoDesk, EQUITONE, 3form, Forbo Flooring Systems, Adobe, Carpet, Consolidated Brick, Kawneer 1600, McNeel, Microsoft, Newforma, PPG IdeaScapes, Trimble

LANDSCAPE
Travers Landscape Architects

CLIENTS
Johnson & Wales University

CONSULTANTS
Lam Partners Inc, R.W. Sullivan Engineering, Vermeulens Cost Consultants, Thornton Tomasetti

ENGINEERING
Odeh Engineers, BR+A Consulting Engineers Inc., Woodward and Curran

COLLABORATORS
Edward Rowse Architects

DESIGN TEAM
Rob Quigley, Christopher Angelakis, Mark Dolny, Sarah Walker, Adrian Walters, Charles Hibbard, Jennifer Gregoire, John Cochran, Tim Gordon, Stephen O’Conner, Katherine Mavrides

Text description provided by architect.

In 2012, Johnson & Wales University purchased 40 acres of property that had become available due to the relocation of I-195 in downtown Providence.

John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography

As the first completed building constructed on this reclaimed land, the building serves as a new beacon on the edge of the campus and is designed to support the evolving urban street grid with a cafe, outdoor courtyard, lobby event space, and learning activities visible from the street.

Gallery space on the street level showcases student work for the public, and the floor-to-ceiling windows provide unencumbered views into daily activity.

John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography

“Innovation on Display is a foundation of our school,” states the Dean of the School of Engineering and Design.

“Neighbors, visitors to the city, and our own college community can look into the windows and see the work that our students do on a daily basis.”

John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography

This new 71,000 SF STEAM building expands the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary and experiential learning.

A guiding principle for the project was to provide openness and flexibility to foster a healthy integration of diverse disciplines – science, technology, visual arts, engineering and computer science.

Now an active destination on campus, the building features flexible, adaptable spaces that meet ever-changing needs and programming.

This dynamic hub for discovery and collaboration attracts students from a wide variety of departments to an area on campus that previously seemed off the beaten path.

John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography

Challenged to design an interdisciplinary academic building with maximum flexibility and versatility, programmatic adjacencies were considered, including locating the student lounge and teaming spaces near faculty office suites to encourage faculty/student interaction and enhance the “out-of-class” student experience.

Transparency into and throughout the building is also a key design feature, showcasing continuous student activity in the labs and classrooms, and views to the campus and urban neighborhood.

John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography

Enhanced visibility offered by glass partitions between corridors and teaching spaces promotes an interactive, collaborative environment, and passersby can see science on display in the first-floor innovation lab and exhibit spaces.

“It’s really neat to see what’s going on inside a biology lab while I’m walking to one of my design classes,” said a graphic design major.

John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
© John Horner Photography
© John Horner Photography

“It’s so helpful to see the experiences of the other students here with all these collaborative spaces put together in this beautiful building.”


John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
Construction detail
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
Site axon


John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
Plans
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
Plans
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
Site plan
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
Plans


John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
South elevation
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
North west elevation


John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
Section
John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation at Johnson & Wales University
Section