Type: Special Event/Hospitality/Casino
Project Name: Providence Convention Center
City: Providence
State: Rhode Island
Client: City of Providence
Features: 1,680-car spaces on seven supported levels plus grade.

Description: The complex serves as a gateway from Interstate 95 to the downtown State Capitol and Justice Center area of Providence, Rhode Island. The garage is physically linked to the convention center and a hotel at grade, and at the main exhibit hall and ballroom levels, allowing the parking structure to be part of the egress route from the convention center. The parking structure is sheathed in pre-cast concrete panels using a sandblasted finish, and an exposed aggregate finish of rose-colored granite. Special care was given to the design of joints, exterior lighting, banner supports, and other details, to give the building the scale, texture, and architectural character of the neighboring complex and other buildings in the surrounding historic district. The selection of exterior finishes allows the facade of the building to reflect the light, airy quality of the historical stone buildings, which are prevalent in the Providence area. The order of details jointing expresses the simplicity of assembly achieved by using pre-cast forms. The north wall of the parking garage is a gateway from the interstate highway to the center of the city. During the evening, light from the large exterior openings reflect out of the warm interior to form a lantern effect, signaling availability and use of the garage.

Pre-cast concrete was chosen for its ability to meet schedule, cost, and durability requirements. Aesthetically it relates well to the downtown historic setting and is well integrated with the design of the convention center, hotel and office tower. The pre-cast color provides visual relief and a welcomed lightness to the structure which is still in keeping with older granite or limestone buildings. Through commitment and attention to detail, the structural pre-cast achieves a quality of finish that rivals more costly contextual component of this prominent civic facility. DESMAN Associates is the Parking Consultant and Structural Engineer of Record.