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Project Profile
Brown University Watson Institute for International Study
New Academic Building

Odeh Engineers worked with the internationally renowned architecture firm of Rafael Vinoly Architects, PC, New York, to design this innovative new facility for Brown's Watson Institute for International Studies. Completed in 2002, the building is a twenty-first century academic facility that remains in harmony with Brown’s historic campus in Providence.

The three-story building houses classrooms, meeting facilities, offices, and research facilities for the Watson Institute. The structure consists of a steel frame, with brick and glass exterior and various unique architectural elements.
Client
Rafael Viñoly Architects PC

Location
Providence, Rhode Island

Cost
$25,000,000

Timing
Construction Completed January 2002
Design Innovation
  • Multi-story glass enclosed "pods". The glass "pods", in the rear part of the structure, contain unique library and conference spaces and are structurally separated from the main building.  
  • Large multi-story cantilevered stairway structures. Each end of the building has a two-story cantilevered stairway structure. A vierendeel truss system was designed with moment-resisting frames along the longitudinal axis of the building to support the cantilevers.
  • Earthquake and hurricane design. The unique shape and configuration of the structure required 3D modeling for earthquake and hurricane loads. Odeh Engineers fine-tuned the lateral system using a combination of moment resisting frames and structural bracing.
Construction Type
  • Steel
Building Uses
  • Higher Education
  • Office Space
  • Auditorium
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