Stanford University: Florence Moore Dining Hall

Stanford University: Florence Moore Dining Hall

PHOTOS © KEITH UYEDA

Completed in the summer of 2014, the renovation of Stanford University’s Florence Moore Dining Hall servery brought to life the vision of Shirley J. Everett, senior associate vice provost of Residential & Dining Enterprises, “to create a unique design which enhances the student living-and-learning experience with an equally innovative, educational and sustainable dining experience.”

The 58-year-old Florence Moore facility consists of seven co-ed residence houses that encourage communal living and dining. The renovation of the 13,576-squarefoot central dining kitchen included a dramatic transformation to an open kitchen design, containing state-of-the-art, energy-efficient equipment to maximize the kitchen’s functionality and the culinary team’s talents, while inviting students into the entire cooking experience.

“I am extremely proud of the newly renovated dining hall which has enhanced our student dining program and set a new standard for exceptional culinary experiences, community building opportunities and an unprecedented design for students to dine together and build a vibrant community,” says R&DE Stanford Dining’s executive director, Eric Montell.

In keeping with the original design intent of “California Living” and to create a modern, open feel, the clerestory in the servery and kitchen was opened up to let in more natural light. A 10-seat chef’s table, made from reclaimed 100-year-old teak railroad ties, sits near a newly exposed window and is used for chef’s dinners, providing restaurantstyle dining options and additional community building opportunities for students.

An outdoor chef’s courtyard kitchen with a hearth deck oven and dual wood- and gas-fired grill next to an herb and vegetable garden was included in the design.

These features were strategically and purposefully located throughout the kitchen, servery and outdoor courtyard to allow students to thrive in an atmosphere that fosters community, encourages intellectual and social engagement and provides high-quality culinary experiences throughout the dining hall.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • Montclair State University Starts Construction on $120M STEM Building

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $120-million Interdisciplinary Science Building, according to university news. The university partnered with HoK Architects for the project’s design, and it’s scheduled to open in time for the 2028–29 academic year.

  • Missouri Child Development Center Completes $2.3M Expansion

    The Urban Sprouts Child Development Center in St. Louis, Mo., recently announced the completion of a $2.3-million expansion and adaptive reuse project, according to a news release. The new space includes a retail café, outdoor learning space, and a support office building.

  • Georgia State University Opens New Research Tower

    Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new, nine-story, 155,000-square-foot Research Tower, according to university news. Amenities include academic classrooms, a large lecture space, teaching labs, faculty research space, and the uppermost floors reserved for future expansion.