The process for creating a new building began several years ago, when the university's administration decided to unify its dining halls into one large facility. "The University had a number of places where they provided food service," explained HHPA Founding Partner Malcolm Holzman, FAIA. "They wanted to bring the dining together in one location, because they thought it would have a positive effect on the campus community. Since the University is in a remote place, everyone could eat together, and they also could get the faculty involved."
The new facility, which is 43,000 square feet in size, includes two major dining areas as well as a series of secondary spaces, including a formal 450-seat dining room, a 250-seat informal dining area, a servery, a state-of-the-art kitchen, meeting rooms, and support and administrative spaces. The building is situated at the heart of the inner campus, where the university's historic All Saints' Chapel and other significant structures are located.