In recent years, the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst has routinely ranked among the top in the nation for best campus food by The Princeton Review. To maintain that standard of excellence, while also fulfilling one of the university’s project goals outlined in its capital project master, the existing dining commons was replaced with a new facility. STV provided owner’s project management services for a detailed programming and schematic design study of the existing dining commons. The firm performed the same services for the new facility.
During the study phase, it was determined that a complete replacement of the dining facility was more economical and effective than an expansion or renovation of the existing one. The new 87,000-square-foot dining commons includes a ground-floor retail food café, a commercial bakery, a student center, and a restaurant. The facility achieved LEED® Gold Certification for its numerous sustainability features integrated throughout the building.
STV worked with the client to maintain operations of the existing dining facility while construction of the new structure was underway. One of the primary challenges of the construction program related to the relocation of underground utilities adjacent to the project site. The new dining commons was constructed directly over steam lines that serviced a nearby research building and were relocated without interrupting service.
87,000
New square footage
800
Seating capacity
42%
Reduction in potable water usage
