After a year-long master plan study of Rhode Island School of Design’s Freshman Quad, North Hall launched the first phase to reclaim a series of outdoor spaces, increase the bed count, and unite the freshman around studios and common landscape. North Hall encompassed a bold number of ‘firsts’ for RISD: First new residence hall in 34 years; first hybrid steel and CLT structure (see below) in New England; first project to use Integrated Project Delivery, a collaborative approach that redistributes risk and profit among client, design team, and contractors.
The unique building was both environmentally aligned with RISD’s mission and expedient in its erection, thus supporting the aggressive construction schedule required for a return on investment.
The building’s ambition to deploy its detailed materiality was driven by the many scales of College Hill. On the north and south faces, the stacked bond brick uses varied indentations to produce the depth and weight of the academic buildings of both RISD and nearby Brown University. On the eastern and western faces, lightweight cement panels monumentalize the vernacular shingle style of Providence’s East Side, using simple material to achieve iconic value.
The interior is spare and durable, befitting housing for artists. The lowest level is poured in place concrete with moments of warm wood.
Upstairs, CLT structural deck allows for 9’ wood ceilings. NADLAB fabricated much of the interior millwork, including re-purposed remnants from the CLT deck as work counters and benches.