Campus News

The Moveable Feast

Construction on the dining hall began in mid-May, which meant that the kitchen staff had to figure out a way to continue providing meals and a place for everyone to enjoy the illustrious spreads. Two mobile kitchens were first brought in and placed in the side area of Church Square. Then three large tents were set-up in Church Square and the surrounding area to provide a shaded outdoor eating area and serving line.

The dining hall renovation will not only provide physical improvements but from a design perspective, the character of the space will feel far more open as the seating area will wrap completely around the kitchen and serving area.

Renovations include:

• Centralized food and salad serving area with dual serving lines • Outdoor dining patio • Expanded kitchen prep area • Relocated monastic dining room • Tempered insulated windows • New cafeteria style tables • New lighting • New flooring • New PA system • Additional TV • Expanded restroom facilities • Safety enhancements including fire sprinklers and improved seismic performance

The architectural design was done by Goring and Straja Architecture, who also designed the Benedictine Buildings and the LaureL STREAM Center. Construction is being done by McNeily Construction, and Dave Brett, former board chair is our owners rep. The dining hall renovation is expected to be completed near the end of October.

The dining hall exterior (viewed from the STREAM building) and outdoor eating area.

A rendering of the new dining hall interior.

One of the temporary dining halls located at Church Square.

A look inside the mobile kitchen.