Fresh and upscale Renovated facility and healthy food options transform dining experience By PATRICIA GARRITY
In partnership with Rivier’s food service provider, Sodexo, Inc., renovations to the Dining Center— an integral initiative in the University’s strategic and campus master plans—were completed over the summer. Connor Architecture of Lexington, Mass., an awardwinning firm specializing in providing innovative architectural solutions, designed the new layout and worked with Sasso Construction from Wilmington, Mass. to complete the project. “The renovation of the Dining Center has resulted in a more welcoming and comfortable gathering space for the Rivier community,” said Vice President for Finance and Administration Brent Winiger. “We appreciate our partnership with Sodexo and the great work done by Mark Conner and Sasso Construction in completing this project. We intend for this to be the first of several campus transformations that will better serve our students, friends, faculty and staff.” New design elements were incorporated into the space to enhance the dining experience, including pounded copper, glass tiles, tinted windows and window treatments, no-finish
sustainable tile, carpeted flooring and new textures which add to the contemporary appeal. The new dining environment creates a modern restaurant feeling with weathered and handmade accents influenced by old mill buildings with waterwheels and barns, according to the architects. This is evident in the visually interesting shapes such as the waterwheel-inspired 360-degree action station. The canopy window treatments on the banquette wall were intended to carry the mill feeling through the loominspired copper metal mesh draping overhead. The space also features a new seating arrangement, making the room more open and increasing seating capacity with round tables and booths. A new palette of paint colors featuring vibrant earth tones of green, gold, and orange complete the feeling of an upscale restaurant. Like many other upscale dining establishments, guests enjoy spending time outside of eating—socializing and studying as well. "I find the renovated Dining Center to be an inviting place where students can hang out and study, not only eat," says Aimee Ruetzel, Class of 2015, a biology education major. FALL 2013 11