Student Residence and Dining Hall Renovations

Missouri State University

Location	901 South National Avenue Springfield , MO United States 37° 11' 54.9024" N, 93° 16' 42.8916" W See map: Google Maps Missouri US
Size	Garst - 14,000 SF renovation, 4,000 SF addition Blair Shannon - 3,500 SF renovation, 3,000 SF addition
Completion Date	2012
Project Type	Interiors, Restoration Renovation, Higher Education Education & University Site Design
Services	Architecture, Existing Building, Interiors

Main Content

Description

BNIM has completed many projects at Missouri State University in recent years, including work on renovations and additions to the Garst and Blair Shannon Dining Centers. Each project involved the refurbishment of an existing dining facility and the construction of a new wing for additional seating capacity. The renovation work included the rollout of an entirely new dining concept for MSU; as such, BNIM work closely with the University's food service provider.

Working effectively with the client and contractor within a compressed schedule and limited construction budget, BNIM was able not only to complete the work on time, but also provide a very high level of design work in the process.

Geographically, Blair Shannon is near the heart of MSU's campus. BNIM's addition slows pedestrian traffic and creates a generous gathering space at its base. The architectural treatment of the addition relates to the expressed structure of the adjacent residence halls, as well as the materiality and geometry of the rec center.

The exterior of the Garst addition complements the existing structure. The addition is further shaped by its site; a gracious roof extends outward from the building to provide shelter along an existing pathway to the adjacent residence hall, and a multi-use courtyard is carved out of the volume to create an exterior gathering place.

The limited construction budget of the projects required BNIM to be creative in delivering the "wow" factor sought by the University. The design team chose a reductive strategy in order to meet this goal, stripping away all unnecessary interior finishes and exposing the raw structure of the existing building. The result is a taller, cleaner, more timeless space than what existed before.

Both the Garst and Blair Shannon Dining Centers incorporate many sustainable strategies, including the use of materials with high recycled content, interior finishes with low-VOC content, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and areas of glazing to maximize natural lighting, which in turn reduces the need for electric lighting.

Quotes

“The Garst Dining Center renovation converted what was a dated, 1980s 'brass and ferns' interior to a very relevant, open, and airy, upscale interior. Students have obviously responded to its casual but classy interior. This past year, the number of meals served at the center have nearly doubled over previous years.” - Terry Rowland, Project Manager “BNIM joined the Missouri State University team on the design of two complete dining center renovations and additions on our campus. Each of these projects clearly reflected their sense of place on our campus. The projects have been warmly received by not only the students, but the food service staff as well. Thank you for helping us make our dining centers an exciting place for our students to gather.” - Douglas Sampson, University Architect, Director of Planning, Design & Construction, Missouri State University

Awards

https://www.bnim.com/sites/default/files/project_pdfs/student-residence-and-dining-hall-renovations_0.pdf