University of Rhode Island Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences

IBI Group provided landscape architecture services for a new 134,000 sq. ft. LEED Gold Chemistry Building, which is now under construction at the University of Rhode Island (URI). The building is located within the Kingston campus’s new North District, a sustainable neighborhood that houses the major life science programs and includes 14 teaching labs, 36 research labs, as well as general classrooms.

We provided preliminary feasibility studies showing multiple design options for the Chemistry Building and site layout in response to existing topography, a wetland and woodland preservation area, and the adjacent IBI Group-designed rain garden as part of the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS) project.

New site features for the building include bioswales and stormwater features that connect to the existing rain garden, constructed landforms planted with native grasses, new pedestrian circulation to negotiate a steep hillside, and a central plaza area that connects the three new science buildings.

In conjunction with the Chemistry Building site design, IBI Group also provided feasibility studies for a new 600-car parking garage on-site. We provided landscape architecture services for two other buildings within the North District – the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS) and the College of Pharmacy.