Pare Corporation was part of a multi-disciplinary consultant team selected by the College to program and design a comprehensive upgrade and expansion of the 1970’s-era Rhode Island College Art Center, including modernization of art studios and the creation of new program spaces.

Pare provided structural engineering design for a 6,000-SF building renovation on the north side of the facility to accommodate special studios for jewelry making, ceramics, carpentry, and print making. Structural design was also provided for a two-story, 31,000-SF building addition on the south side of the existing building to house studios for photography, graphic arts and digital media, as well as an arts education classroom, auditorium and student lounge. The $17 million project provides a total of 54,000-SF of space.

Pare also provided civil engineering services for the project, which included the design of a new pedestrian-oriented corridor by removing a parking area and roadway. Pare designed new utility services for the facility and a new sustainable and low-impact stormwater management system for control of stormwater runoff which included the design of several rain gardens.