RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY ANNUAL DESIGN AWARDS
"our judges cooked up a lively mix of winners for Rhode Island Monthly's thirteenth annual design awards including a punchy city abode, a classy renovated stable and an imaginative learning center. Some old favorites have triumphed again. But there are new faces in the crowd, and that also makes us happy. And this year, something different: Several projects came away with multiple awards."
Megan Fulweiler, Rhode Island Monthly, November 2007
On Friday, October 26th Rhode Island Monthly recognized Brown University for the renovation of the Susan P. & Richard A. Friedman Study Center in the Sciences Library with High Marks Gold in the commercial construction/renovation category and Trend Setter Gold in the commercial interior design category. Read the full article to find out why the judges were "bowled over" by the "intensity of thought."
The project scope included moving approximately 100,000 books from the Sciences Library to the Library Annex at 10 Park Lane to allow the bottom three levels to be captured as a student study center. Level A was dedicated almost entirely to collaborative and individual study spaces with gateway services. The ground floor has a new cafe extending out onto the south terrace with the mezzanine remaining as additional quiet study space. New finishes, furniture, and technology transformed the appearance and functionality of the space. In addition to the new fire alarm system installed throughout the building and command center, fire protection was installed within the Study Center, and the project incorporated a facility renewal upgrade to the HVAC system and waterproofing repair at the south terrace.
As was intended, the project created dynamic and inviting 24-hour student study spaces in the heart of campus, updating the functionality and character of the Sciences Library.
Reprint permission was granted by Rhode Island Monthly Communications, Inc.© 2007