The McNutt Dining Project includes a renovation and addition to the existing McNutt Center building in the McNutt Quadrangle Residence Hall Complex. In addition to a larger dining facility and main kitchen, the project includes Residence Life offices and other associated support spaces. The renovation and addition is isolated to the ground and first floors of the existing building. The upper two floors primarily remain as is, except for miscellaneous mechanical spaces and chases.
The architectural expression of the new building addition is sympathetic to the existing Mid-Century Modern architecture of McNutt Quadrangle. Indiana ashlar limestone used on the existing building is used in the same application on the new addition. Large windows are placed on axis with new green space created by North Housing. The new dining project is an anchor to this new central green. A large curved wall of the addition gives reverence to the new green spaces and follows the projected path students take as they transfer southeast to main campus. The new architecture of McNutt Dining is carefully knitted into the context of McNutt Quadrangle as well as the adjacent new housing project. CSO collaborated with Hanbury and BakerGroup on the design of this project.
The micro-restaurant style dining concept includes ten different themed restaurant concepts, a new Starbucks, and a convenience store (C-Store). A centralized prep kitchen and dishwashing area, loading dock and other back-of-house spaces support the dining operations.
The 24,500 square foot addition expands the dining facility, and gives it another “front door”, visually connecting it to the new North Housing Development.
During the planning process, careful consideration was given to the facility’s location in relation to campus, and nearby residence halls. The design includes spaces for dining, collaboration, and studying. The facility will provide 685 seats in a variety of seating areas and offer Micro-Restaurant style dining with seven to nine different restaurant concepts. Centralized prep kitchen and dish washing areas, along with other back-of-house spaces, will support the dining operations. Dining and kitchen spaces are located on the main level.
In addition to dining, the facility will house the administrative offices for Dining & Food Services and Housing & Residence Life. These office facilities will be on a second level, with a designated entrance along McKinley Ave. This project was designed in collaboration with Hanbury.
Wells Quadrangle is comprised of four buildings, including Memorial Hall and Goodbody Hall. The project involved repurposing both buildings from academic space to student housing. The University also wanted to determine the best location to accommodate a dining facility with an outdoor terrace. Originally, IU had targeted space in one of the other buildings in the quad, but a study led by CSO determined that an addition to Goodbody Hall would be the best solution to accommodate a 200-seat dining facility.
The design of the addition to Goodbody Hall required a solution that integrated seamlessly into the architectural character of Wells Quadrangle. The 1-story addition emerges from the base of the existing Goodbody Hall, and houses a dining area with open views toward the quad. A roof terrace above is accessed from both the exterior grade and the second level. This elevated terrace provides options for outdoor seating and a sweeping overlook to the quad.
The overall project required careful coordination to maximize usable space while accommodating updated MEP systems and the technology infrastructure demanded by today’s residence halls.
The renovation created accommodations for 174 students. The room configuration is comprised of a mix of 2-bedroom apartments, 2-bedrooms suites, single rooms, and double rooms. A variety of restroom configurations are available depending on the room type.
