Western Michigan University
With a goal of providing students, staff and guests with a blend of housing and dining that enhances social interaction and appeals to all kinds of students, the University chose to construct the impressive new Valley Dining Center. The state-of-the-art dining venue serves 3,000 students occupying the adjacent Valley residence halls. The two-story wood and steel framed facility houses an upper-level open plan main floor dining area with a variety of venue options and a lower level with back-of-house functions and retail cafe. The facility is designed to provide students and guests with a contemporary food venue featuring kiosk-style cooking and clearly visible preparation areas. The design of the building also enhances pedestrian activity and safety while respecting scenic features and ecologically sensitive areas. A green roof and daylighting were implemented, while recycled materials were used during construction.
Location: Grand Rapids
Market: Higher Education
Delivery Method: Construction Manager at-Risk
Architect: SmithGroup
2019 Honorable Mention, Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) 2018 Building Honor Award, AIA Detroit