Providence College - Hickey Laboratory

Overview

Built in 1961, Hickey Hall is a two-story facility housing the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Departments, as well as faculty and graduate research laboratories (both wet and dry).

To consolidate and expand research space, the psychology department formerly occupying the first level was relocated and the entire building was gutted. New windows, roof, fire stairs, and HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems were installed. The individual laboratories were outfitted with new fume hoods.

The ground floor accommodates six biology faculty research labs with shared equipment areas, tissue culture laboratory, cold room, radioisotope laboratory, and microscopy. A laser lab with associated vestibule is provided for engineering physics. The slab-on- grade construction of the ground floor lab minimizes potential vibration and creates a light-free environment.

The second floor houses laboratories for Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Engineering Physics. Two gas cylinder storage rooms with manifolded distribution provides gasses to the individual labs. Location of the chemistry labs on the second floor minimizes the fume hoods’ exhaust ductwork and the number of floor penetrations required.