University of Rhode Island Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering

Location Kingston, RI

Client University of Rhode Island (URI)

Services Program Management

Project Value $132 million

This project was the first undertaken in the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) program to replace the College of Engineering’s outdated buildings and update its academic paradigm. Following the demolition of 5 older engineering buildings, construction began on the 186,000 SF Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering.  

Before the Fascitelli Center, URI’s College of Engineering operated in 50-year-old buildings that constrained the growth of educational programs and research opportunities. The Fascitelli Center provides a modern environment for engineering students that supports collaboration and innovation. Extensive MEP and AV work allows for the most current in laboratory equipment to be incorporated into the facility. In addition to four capstone class areas and ten general classrooms/teaching labs, the Fascitelli Center features a machine/fabrication shop, a high-bay lab, about ten spaces containing “corelab” areas, and imaging equipment suites. There are approximately 50 research areas. The count of lab areas is flexible as spaces can easily be broken up as research grants vary and programs grow or contract. 

Hill provided program management services for the construction of the new building. Hill’s responsibilities included confirming safety plans were implemented and followed on-site among the hectic college campus, meeting the University’s schedule goals, and keeping the project within budget. 

A key challenge was the move management from the old facilities into the new Center. Hill was responsible for relocating all personnel and equipment from the five existing College of Engineering buildings into swing spaces both on and off the campus. The team had to move staff into the temporary spaces over just a few weeks during the college’s breaks at the end of summer and then over the winter break. Then demolition of the 5 outdated buildings—about 90,000 SF—could begin. After taking careful inventory of the laboratory equipment, the Hill team worked closely with designers and the faculty to evaluate the feasibility of fitting the equipment into the Fascitelli Center’s rooms.

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