search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

Seizing Sustainability

By Kate Gawlik
February 3, 2010
When embarking on a sustainable plan that has the potential to transform a campus, why not start with a highly visible bang? Providence College in Providence, R.I., recently seized such an opportunity by installing thin-film building integrated photovoltaics on the roof of the Slavin Center, the college’s student center.

Building integrated photovoltaics were installed on the roof of the Slavin Center. Photo by John Scott, AIA, Symmes Maini & McKee Associates Inc.


When embarking on a sustainable plan that has the potential to transform a campus, why not start with a highly visible bang? Providence College in Providence, R.I., recently seized such an opportunity by installing thin-film building integrated photovoltaics on the roof of the Slavin Center, the college’s student center. “The college is in the process of putting together a campus sustainability plan. This construction project allowed us the opportunity to take advantage of the nonobstructed south-facing orientation of the addition for the photovoltaics,” said Mark Rapoza, assistant vice president for capital properties and facilities planning for Providence College.

The college chose ATAS International’s ATA-Solar BIPV system.ATA-Solar is available in different panel options, but the center’s roof consists of 24-gauge steel standing-seam roofing panels in a Silversmith color with a thin-film amorphous silicon laminate applied. In all, 4,880 square feet of metal roofing and 72 18-foot laminates were installed. The laminates have a rating of 136 watts DC each, yielding a total system rating of 9.792 kW.

The college selected the metal roof for aesthetics as well as chose the sustainable material because of its minimal maintenance. When comparing solar system options, BIPV stood out because of its effectiveness. “Based upon our usage, budget and the life expectancy of the various options, the integrated design was the most efficient for the college,” Rapoza said.

Jim Bush, vice president of sales for ATAS, added: “ATA-Solar is an attractive system that gave the university the look it wanted as well as an efficient, low-maintenance energy source.” 

Providence College called on architectural firm Symmes Maini & McKee Associates of Cambridge, Mass., to design the addition and, thereby, create a new entrance for the Slavin Center and transform the existing usable space. The firm also was asked to improve the aesthetics of the Slavin Center, which opened in 1971. “The architecture of the late 60s/early 70s was less than attractive by most opinions,” Rapoza explained. “The hope was that the addition would add a new façade to the existing [structure], which was heavily dominated by brick/concrete. The newly constructed glass atrium allows for natural light and a space that is far more welcoming.”

The project consisted of expanding the south side of the building with a two-level addition, which encompasses a total of 8,800 square feet of new space and 560 square feet of renovated space on three levels. The lower level of the two-level addition contains a student lounge with an adjacent coffee and snack shop. The upper level consists of a quiet student lounge. The primary renovations to the existing building were the expansion of studio space for WDOM-FM radio and PCtv.

John Scott, AIA, ACHA, principal and project director for SMMA, led the design effort and believes the addition has transformed the Slavin Center. “It is light, airy, transparent and very inviting during all hours of the day. You can now see the activities within. It has become the magnet of the center, the sustainability workshop, the centerpiece of the Common and the backdrop for commencement activities.”

Those interested in observing the BIPV system at work can watch daily panel outputs on a flat-screen monitor in the center’s lower level or visit www.tinyurl.com/yaelo6e. And as any proper collegiate institution should, Providence College is putting its cool roof to use in the classroom. “We had hoped that the installation of the panels, along with other sustainable initiatives in the project, would be somewhat of an educational element of the project,” Rapoza said. “We have scientists and students using the information generated on the website in a number of classes.”

Sidebar

Architect: Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Cambridge, Mass.

Roofing distributor: Beacon Sales Co. Inc., Cranston, R.I.

General contractor: Farrar & Associates Inc., Newport, R.I.

Roofing contractor: Roofing Concepts Inc., East Greenwich, R.I.

Electrical contractor: Rossi Electric Co. Inc., Cranston, R.I.

BIPV system: ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa.

Thin-film laminate: Uni-Solar, Auburn Hills, Mich.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Kate Gawlik is a Lockport, Ill.-based writer focused on design and construction. She can be reached at kategawlik@gmail.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Columns
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Steep Slope Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

Florida has become the focal point for construction-site raids, attracting national attention and altering labor dynamics throughout the industry.

Florida Emerges as the Epicenter of ICE Raids

Agentes de ICE arrestaron a casi una docena de empleados de una empresa de techos en Lowell, Massachusetts. Los arrestos son parte de una redada federal más amplia contra la contratación no autorizada y las violaciones migratorias en Boston.

ICE Redondea a Equipo de Techos Afuera de Boston

Kingspan’s planned 100-acre roofing campus in Oklahoma is under consideration as the new location for asphalt shingle production.

Kingspan Flirts with Disrupting the U.S. Shingle Market

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing