Brown University
Sternlicht Residential Commons and Health & Wellness Center
Project
Sternlicht Residential Commons and Health & Wellness Center
Client
Brown University
Location
Providence, RI
Completion
2021
Size
96,000 GSF
Certification
All Electric, 100% Fossil Fuel Free, Designed to LEED Silver and Fitwel Standards
Category
Residence Halls, Campus Innovations, Health, Wellness, + Spirituality
Designed to foster a holistic approach to student wellness at Brown University, the new center co-locates services and programs instrumental to students’ physical and emotional well-being — including Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Brown Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and BWell, the University’s health promotion program — and integrates 162 student residential beds. Student bedrooms are organized in pod-style arrangements of single bedrooms, as well as several 4-person suites – all with optimum views of the adjacent Pembroke Field.
It is pretty hard to be in this building and not be happy. There are so many vistas and so many points where the outside is brought in. It’s just open and uplifting.
Vanessa Britto, Exec. Director for Health and Wellness
EMBODIED SUSTAINABILITY - CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER
The project is designed to embody well building principles and incorporates sustainable and healthy living design features throughout. Access to ample natural light, views to nature in the form of ‘outdoor rooms’ carved out of the project footprint and views across to the signature Pembroke Field provide a sense of connection to the outdoors and circadian rhythms. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structural decking is incorporated both as a Carbon negative building material as well as, allowing for the exposed natural, warm wood ceilings in the student residences. Consistent with Brown University’s carbon goals the project is all electric with no fossil fuel burning equipment within the building systems. In addition to Well building standards the project is benchmarked to LEED Silver V4
Linking the variety of uses with a transparent and accessible interior street gives each use an ‘address’ and organizes shared ‘fusion’ spaces where residents, students, patients, staff and clinicians can come together as a larger community centered on a commitment to well-being. These fusion spaces become opportunities for diverse wellness educational programming, events and community engagement. Similarly, these spaces are designed to become places for collaboration and engagement by student and residents during unscheduled times and evenings.
PLAN DIAGRAMS
Meeting Street - Level 00
Cushing Street - Level 01
Upper Levels 2-4
Ground Floor Diagram
Awards + Press
2021 DBIA New England Award
Project Consultants
Design-Build Construction Manager | Shawmut Design and Construction
Structural Engineer | LeMessurier Consultants, Inc.
Mechanical / Electrical Engineer | Buro Happold Consulting Engineers
Civil Engineer | Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
Landscape Architect | Stephen Stimson Associates
Lighting Consultant | HLB Lighting Design
Acoustical Engineer | Acentech
Photographer | Bruce Martin