BBS Architects Engineers

Iowa State University

Memorial Union Food Court
Memorial Union Food Court
Memorial Union Food Court
Memorial Union Food Court

Owner: Iowa State University (Dining Services)
Architectural and Engineering Design Services: BBS Architects | Engineers
Food Service Consultant: Bakergroup Food Service Consulting & Design
General Contractor: ASI Commercial Construction, Inc.
Construction Completed: August 2018
Construction Cost: $899,000

Photo Credit: Tim Bungert, BBS Architects | Engineers

Client Need:

ISU Dining Services had a vision of transforming an outdated food court on the first level of the Memorial Union into a fresh and healthy dining option for students and staff. The project focused on adding a full service salad bar featuring soups, salads & pastas. In addition, each of the existing food venues received new casework, food service equipment & digital menu boards.

BBS Approach:

BBS worked closely with representatives from ISU Dining Services and Facilities Planning and coordinated closely with our food service consultant to create an efficient flow that could better accommodate the large number of customers served by the food court each day. By carefully analyzing the queuing for the perimeter food venues and locations of beverage dispensing machines, our team was able to offer solution to resolve a number of existing congestion issues within the space. Moreover, a revised layout of the cashier stations improves circulation to and from the food court.

Solution:

The salad bar now serves as a focal point that can easily be seen from the food court’s entry. Increased illumination levels provided by new LED fixtures help to create a welcoming space, while directional lighting helps draw customers’ attention to the many available food options. New architectural finishes including natural stacked stone, glazed subway wall tile & quartz counter tops add character to the space, in harmony with the client’s vision. Wood-look floor tile helps to increase slip resistance, while providing durability required for the food court’s heavy customer traffic. 

Plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications services were updated and extended to support the new space and equipment. Because of the food court’s location in the building, these services were required to be routed through a number of tunnels in an unexcavated area of the basement below. Our engineers conducted rigorous site investigations during design development in order to prevent conflicts during construction. These steps were critical to maintain the client’s compressed construction schedule.

Terminal
College of Human Sciences
Minnesota Farm Bureau Center
DSM Airport Energy Effiency Improvements
ABC - Office Build-Out
Coover Hall Infrastructure Study
ETRC Howe Hall
New Office
Sabin Hall Renovation – LEED Gold
Food Sciences Building - Room 2379 Renovation
ETRC Hoover Hall
MacKay Hall Auditorium Renovation
Utah Farm Bureau Center
Reid “E” Research Facility
Dodge House Renovations
BBS at 219 8th Street
Hub Tower Elevator Modernization
Common Ground - Coffee Shop
Camp Dodge Pool Campus Improvements
Wyoming Farm Bureau Center
Catholic Pastoral Center Rehabilitation
LeBaron Hall Replacement Study
Hospital Emergency Room Renovation & Expansion
Iowa City Federal Building - VHA Renovations
Geoffroy Residence Hall
Parking Garage
Beardshear Hall Remodeling
Iowa Events Center
Ames Lab Metals Development Air Handling Unit Replacement
Camp Dodge Chapel Addition and Renovation
Kemin Food Sciences Lab Renovation
Union Drive Community Center Renovations
VRAC C6 and Office Suite
219 Eighth Street
Office Renovation
IADA Office Renovation
Executive Suites Renovation
Hub Tower Conference Center
Corporate Headquarters Renovation
Lance and Ellie's Sandwich Shop
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Levitt Center for University Advancement
Home Office Building with Expansion
Hub Tower Office Tenant Improvement
Corporate Highrise
Science Center - New Facility
Biological Sciences Facility
Arizona Farm Bureau Center
Covered Walkway
Lied Recreation Center - New Heating Water Plant
© 2024 BBS Architects | engineers, All rights reserved.