Spring Break
New dining facilities to be built
James Marconi
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: News
The back green behind Champagnat Hall and the Student Center will receive a new addition to the current collection of buildings - an upgraded, completely separate dining facility, according to college administrators.
While an exact design has not yet been finalized, said Director of Physical Plant Justin Butwell, the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill LLP has already created a rough conceptual design for the new dining facility.
"We haven't moved much past concept drawings on that," Butwell said. "Right now it's competing with other projects - housing is definitely the priority [at the moment]."
The hope, though, is that within the next few years the new building for dining will be complete. It is intended to meet the ever growing demands on campus space, providing a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for student use, said Associate Dean for Student Affairs Steve Sansola.
"The college is continually updating its master plan," Sansola said. We came to the conclusion that it was far better for the college to build a new facility…[than to] renovate the existing space."
Initial plans call for a green, or grass covered, roof in order to keep open areas available for students, and to maintain a view of the Hudson River. Sansola said that some of the other features might include "energy efficient glass" offering a panoramic view of the river, more environmentally friendly and efficient kitchen equipment, and a "restaurant style" interior design with carpeting, booths, and smaller tables placed further apart.
"The goal would be to make it [the new facility] more comfortable," said Assistant Dean of Student Life/Development Patricia Cordner, "with cozier dining more conducive to conversation."
Once the new building is finished, according to Cordner, the currently existing dining hall will be renovated to accommodate other activities, possibly comprising multipurpose rooms, offices, and other types of student facilities.
While an exact design has not yet been finalized, said Director of Physical Plant Justin Butwell, the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill LLP has already created a rough conceptual design for the new dining facility.
"We haven't moved much past concept drawings on that," Butwell said. "Right now it's competing with other projects - housing is definitely the priority [at the moment]."
The hope, though, is that within the next few years the new building for dining will be complete. It is intended to meet the ever growing demands on campus space, providing a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for student use, said Associate Dean for Student Affairs Steve Sansola.
"The college is continually updating its master plan," Sansola said. We came to the conclusion that it was far better for the college to build a new facility…[than to] renovate the existing space."
Initial plans call for a green, or grass covered, roof in order to keep open areas available for students, and to maintain a view of the Hudson River. Sansola said that some of the other features might include "energy efficient glass" offering a panoramic view of the river, more environmentally friendly and efficient kitchen equipment, and a "restaurant style" interior design with carpeting, booths, and smaller tables placed further apart.
"The goal would be to make it [the new facility] more comfortable," said Assistant Dean of Student Life/Development Patricia Cordner, "with cozier dining more conducive to conversation."
Once the new building is finished, according to Cordner, the currently existing dining hall will be renovated to accommodate other activities, possibly comprising multipurpose rooms, offices, and other types of student facilities.
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