As part of a campus-wide Master Plan implementation, HMR Architects completed a programmatic analysis of Simons Dining Hall for the Institute for Advanced Study. The analysis revealed that an expansion of the existing underground kitchen and food service facility would be necessary in order to meet the changing needs of the Institute. HMR’s design created new below grade spaces for specialized storage and refrigeration, and completely renovated the commercial kitchen. The underground expansion also allowed the servery to be updated and enlarged to accommodate the increased demand on campus dining services. Exterior work included the restoration of the plaza above the expanded underground kitchen and the construction of a freestanding service elevator above grade. The concrete and glass elements of the elevator addition were designed to reflect the materials and proportions of the existing Dining Hall.
Photography: Michael Slack