The University of Rhode Island, Office of Capital Projects, retained a multi-firm architectural/engineering design team led by Payette Associates to provide conceptual and final design services for the construction of a $54 million, 140,000-SF Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences classroom and research building. 

PARE provided full site/civil design for the development of the new building, including the site design, utility design, and stormwater/drainage design.  PARE provided geotechnical investigations at the site of the proposed new building, evaluated feasible foundation alternatives, and provided recommendations pertaining to the design of the foundation systems for use by the project structural engineer. 

PARE also assisted in preparing documentation for submission to and certification by the U.S. Green Building Council under their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.  Sustainable site design features include a green roof, a raingarden, and stormwater stream features.  A green roof was incorporated on the building to promote water quality, infiltration, and reduce the amount of runoff generated from the building’s roof.  Roof runoff is discharged to a rain garden, which provides water quality improvements, reduction in peak runoff and runoff volume as well as promotes infiltration.  The building opened in January of 2009 and was awarded a “Gold” LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.  The Boston Society of Architects Committee on Design awarded the building a Merit Award for Design in 2010.