Phildelphia-based Ballinger Studio recently designed the Fascinelli Center, the new campus and interdisciplinary hub of the University of Rhode Island, built as part of a large project dedicated to the redevelopment and expansion of the College of Engineering.
The goal of the architectural team was to create a new building that would be a connection between the science and humanities areas of the campus, demolishing five obsolete buildings.
The building has five floors and a key feature is the truss support system, which replaced the construction of internal columns: the spaces are so wide and continuous, with a strong lighting during the day
To encapsulate a spiral staircase and create distinctive wall and ceiling elements, Ballinger’s designers used Bencore‘s Starlight panels customized in Clear satin and Orange satin finishes, looking for light weight, structural integrity, color possibilities and translucency.
The Starlight panels developed by Bencore offer a wide selection of colors; also, in addition, the panels can be curved even if they are large, resisting lateral forces when used as a balustrade.
Terry D. Steelman, senior principal at Ballinger, explains:
“We chose the yellow color because it reminds us of the University’s colors, yellow and blue. The color has become a symbolic reference for vertical flow. Throughout the building, whenever there is a stairway or elevator, there is a yellow element to aid in the sense of orientation. panels transmit the light is very valuable method and this is important for the success of the project; moreover, the Bencore has a very tactile nature: it is perceptible from a distance, but as you get closer it becomes even more extraordinary and more magic“.
The staircase at night appears as a large bright yellow column, creating an impactful scenic effect. The honeycomb panels have a significant role in the Fascitelli Center, generating extraordinary effects of light and reflection.
