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Mike Buzalka

Murray-Aikins Dining Facility
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Segment: College/University

Enrollment: 2,400

Seating: 650

Area: 40,000 sq.ft.

Hours: 7 am-11 pm (M-Th), 7 am-9 pm (F), 9 am-9 pm (Sat.), 9 am-11 pm (Sun.)

Summary: The Murray-Aikins renovation replaces a traditional steam table café that opened in 1964. Planning began with only a simple updating but the school soon realized it would need much more in order to satisfy the expectations of today's students and to meet the institution's needs for a central campus gathering place.

Therefore, the renovation became in effect a reconstruction that expanded the space, though without expanding the footprint. The entire interior was demolished and a second floor added, which holds new catering and conference facilities.

Community is a central tenet of Murray-Aikin's new incarnation, and the spaces are designed to be warm, inviting, comfortable, colorful, fanciful and fun. The school's rich art heritage is mined for the design and materials chosen. Comfortable, padded chairs and fireplaces invite relaxation and interaction while the flexible equipment placement and appliances (stone hearth oven, scratch pasta makers) encourage culinary exploration.

“Green-ness” is achieved with geothermal heating/AC through 14 heat pumps that are expected to reduce energy consumption. The dining hall is augmented by a café/c-store in the new atrium pavilion.

Stations: Supremos (pizza), Corner Deli, Emily's Garden (salad/vegetarian), Grill, Cook-Your-Own, Breakfast, International, Seminola's (pasta)

Cost: $13 million

Consultant: Connor Architecture, LLC