Through the pandemic, I think we all wondered if University/College dining would ever be the same. For years, SCI designed higher education dining halls, student unions, study centers or lounge areas where students could gather in groups, collaborate and be with their friends. Then COVID hit and we found ourselves adding individual pods, putting up plastic dividers and trying to convince students that being in smaller groups made sense. We quickly learned that students crave community and want to be in places that encourage that.
In 2022 we are back on track, creating higher education spaces that students love. In late 2021 SCI partnered with DesignSmart, Leger Corp and Union University to create a university dining facility that gives students what they want, a place to gather with their friends to study and enjoy a good meal.
During the design process, we used every inch of space to not only maximize the dining hall’s capacity but to offer students different options for seating. There are bar-height communal tables and picnic tables to appeal to large groups, custom booths and banquettes wrapping existing columns for more comfortable seating, and individual counter seats for those who want to dine alone. Various university seating options were designed while still maintaining flexibility when needed. SCI prides itself in being able to bring every client’s vision to life from design to installation and everything in between
