A Space that Sparks Conversation
The Central Valley Central School District is a merged district committed to providing its students a relevant, progressive, educational, and social foundation. A centerpiece of this broad initiative was at the high school which has been re-imagined into a dynamic academic facility with the intent to prepare its students for a higher education experience with more areas outside of the classroom to work, socialize and engage with their education.
A Multi-Functional Hub
This once underutilized space at the center of the high school’s complex became the building’s main entry hub and first impression for all who enter.
This space connects the functional aspects of a cafeteria, bookstore, and administrative offices around a newly formed, multi-functional indoor commons and cafeteria.
An important goal from the start was to make this space highly flexible with as little floor area obstructions as possible.
Strategic patterning of resilient tiles creates zones of space that channel circulation through the common area to the adjoining classroom wings, creates areas of rest and areas of activity while delivering a monolithic and durable surface for any function to take place.
Each major wall in the cafeteria has deliberate functionality: operable access to the food service zone and bookstore, bright expanses of glass looking into the Academy’s courtyard for generous daylighting, and a simple backing wall for café style booths.
Structural Harmony
The ceiling design pulls it all together: exposing the steel structure at the zones of high activity for an expansive feel and establishes an organizing band with the wood soffit that aligns to the flooring below and masks the bulky aspects of the new HVAC equipment.
This cafeteria is a culmination of highly strategic space planning, functional analyses, and many invested user groups. While the space works hard to meet the goals of the intended uses, it is presented in a design that is bright, airy and, almost feels effortless.
