Rendering, Clet Dining Hall at Niagara University - Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY BHNT Architects, known for design expertise in the architectural design and planning of higher education dining halls and student unions, has been commissioned by Niagara University to lead the design of the renovation and expansion for Clet Dining Hall. BHNT has worked collaboratively with the owner and Metz Culinary Management, the dining hall operator, to improve the overall dining experience at Niagara University and meet the increased demands for on-campus event and banquet facilities. Students were invited to participate in the presentation for the new dining hall and vote on concepts for the interior design.

The 18,000 s/f dining hall will feature a number of improvements, including:

• An open kitchen concept with new presentation cooking and serving areas.

• New seating options, including banquette/booth seating, a mix of round, rectangular and square tables and chairs, lounge seating within the dining area, and high-top tables with bar stool seating.

• A new patio with green space, patio-style tables and chairs, flowering planters, and a rain barrel to support 875 s/f of green space for container plantings of herbs and native plants.

• A new dining addition with seating for 250 for sit-down dining. The addition can also be used as a theater-style set-up for 278, with a projector and large presentation screen.

• Large view windows with low-e, solar control glass.

• Mobile device charging stations, and digital televisions and displays.

The new dining facility will also have a focus on energy efficiency. The facility will feature new rooftop units, kitchen equipment, and a dish washing machine, all of which will save utility expense.

Construction of Clet Dining Hall began on April 11^th and will continue through the summer. Niagara University’s newly renovated and expanded dining hall will open in the fall of 2016.

BHNT Architects, P.C. is a Buffalo-based architectural firm which offers a full range of architectural and planning services including site evaluation, building assessment, code review, project feasibility, programming, master planning, architectural and interior design, construction documentation, and project administration. BHNT provides service for communications, commercial, corporate, education, housing, hospitality, industrial, health care and retail clients.