Randolph-Macon College Estes Dining Hall Renovation

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Unchanged since its original design and construction, Randolph-Macon College sought to improve food serving efficiency and increase capacity for its aging dining hall.

Leveraging input from college stakeholders and food service providers, our higher education team established a three-phase improvement plan, which began with replacing and relocating the kitchen’s outdated dishwasher with a new energy-efficient unit. Layout and design planning followed soon after, yielding a reorganized and open servery area that can quickly accommodate hungry students with hectic schedules.

The dining hall renovation also included a 2,500 sq. ft. addition that created much needed seating space. Design goals focused on enhancing the overall ambiance, achieved by all-new furnishings and table-to-ceiling windows that look out over the campus’ central gathering courtyard.

Completion of the first two phases of the dining hall renovation transformed this dining environment into a multi-functional hub for eating and socializing and has become an important asset for student recruitment. Plans for the final phase are slated for 2023.

Photographer: Sterling E. Stevens