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2012 national competition project #040 | cafeteria redesign

By aubhumphrey10 | L Redesign your school Cafeteria | 2012 National High School Architecture Competition

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Welcome to the 2012 DiscoverDesign National High School Architecture Competition!
These are the instructions for entering a design project in the competition.

Design Challenge Background
Cafeterias are often dark and crowded. They are uncomfortable and unhealthy.

Design Challenge Brief
The challenge is to redesign your high school cafeteria and re-think how your school’s cafeteria should, or could, function asas a healthy eating space. What does a cafeteria look like that is designed around a person’s needs?

You may redesign the interior of the existing cafeteria space, expand on the existing space, or design a completely new addition on to your school building. Your design should contain all the spaces and functions required for a typical school cafeteria – a variety of seating options for students (inside and out!), as well as a food storage, space for the kitchen, outdoor eating spaces, serving areas, and places to pay for the meal. You should also consider sustainability issues and the environmental impact of your design.

What should I upload in this Overview step?

Write a short description of the problems you will be trying to solve in redesigning your school library.

What is the Design Process?

How do you start a project? How do you get from the design problem to the final design? Learn more about the design process here.

THE PROBLEM-

Existing concerns at Johnson City High School Cafeteria include lacking space, poor acoustics and an out-of-date kitchen area. The cafeteria may be unsystematic to distribute food to students. Also, it lacks some slight features that could advance the overall cafeteria and expand it, using more natural resources. From my own common awareness I notice that our school’s cafeteria may not work to its maximum potential with the student body.
The lines to get food are extremely unorganized, long and tedious. Also it is very easy to cut and to create problems during the process of lunch time. The way the lunch lines are designed is very chaotic when it comes to lunch time. During lunch kids wait for their food in long lines, wasting their time.
Currently there are roughly 200 students at Johnson City High School. Unfortunately, with all of the students, there may not be enough sitting room in the cafeteria. When it is cold outside the students cannot all fit inside let alone have a place to sit. However, some students prefer to not eat in the existing interior space. The school’s center courtyard is an area of vacant space that has potential to be a wonderful area for outdoor seating. The garden/courtyard will allow our school to be very eco-friendly. The idea of all natural and energy efficient ways to store water, natural soils, and compost would allow our school to offer a healthy cafeteria.
Our existing cafeteria tables can be crowded and uncomfortable. I would like to see a variety of tables for students to collaborate with work, music, and artwork. Also, the cafeteria may consist of too many open entrances, which makes the safety of the building not very reliable.
Through my designs, I will make the cafeteria bigger to hold more students, and change the layout so it is easier to maneuver around. The new cafeteria we are creating will reflect healthy eating habits and energy effectiveness.

THE PROBLEM- (REVISED)

Existing concerns at Johnson City High School Cafeteria include lacking space, poor acoustics and an out-of-date kitchen area. Also, it lacks some slight features that could advance the overall cafeteria and expand it, using more natural resources. Unfortunately, the school’s cafeteria does not work to its maximum potential with the student body.

•The lines to get food are extremely unorganized, long and tedious.

•It is very easy for students to cut and to create problems during the process of lunch time.

•Currently there are roughly 200 students at Johnson City High School. Unfortunately, with all of the students, there is not enough sitting room in the cafeteria.

•When it is cold outside the students cannot all fit inside let alone have a place to sit.

•The school’s center courtyard is an area of vacant space that has potential to be a wonderful area for outdoor seating. The garden/courtyard will allow our school to be very eco-friendly. (The idea of all natural and energy efficient ways to store water, natural soils, and compost would allow our school to offer a healthy cafeteria.)

Revised: 3/29/2012

Comments

Hi aubhumphrey10! Thanks for starting a cafeteria design project. We're looking forward to seeing your creative work. Are you planning on submitting this project for judging in the 2012 DiscoverDesign National High School Architecture Competition? If so, you'll need submit a registration form and a consent form to CAF before Wednesday, April 4. Contact us with any questions: discoverdesign@architecture.org.
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All the details and the forms for entering the competition can be found here: www.discoverdesign.org/Competition2012

By jmasengarb, Architect at 05:58 pm, 06 March 2012

Hi Aubrey-

Your problem statement is very comprehensive. You have done a great job of outlining the major issues with the current space. I recommend that you make it a bit easier to read however.
1) Take a few minutes to consolidate and group the statements above into 3-4 problems that will be addressed with your design. Bullet each of the issues for easy reference as well. I think all of your issues are valid. Here are a few additional areas to proof.

2) Group the "facts" about the space together.

3) "The cafeteria may be unsystematic to distribute food to students"
"Unfortunately, with all of the students, there may not be enough sitting room in the cafeteria"

designteach: Is it, or is it not? This is no place for "may" or "maybe"...if the tax payers are going to spend money on a redesign, then let's be sure the problem is valid. Also, is unsystematic the best word to describe??

4) "From my own common awareness I notice that our school’s cafeteria may not work to its maximum potential with the student body."

designteach: Take any "I" or "my" (ownership) out of the problem statement and make it neutral.

The problem statement is so very important as everything you execute in your design should point back to the problem definition.

Cheers,
designteach

By designteach, Educator at 02:44 pm, 27 March 2012

THE PROBLEM- (REVISED)

Existing concerns at Johnson City High School Cafeteria include lacking space, poor acoustics and an out-of-date kitchen area. Also, it lacks some slight features that could advance the overall cafeteria and expand it, using more natural resources. Unfortunately, the school’s cafeteria does not work to its maximum potential with the student body.

•The lines to get food are extremely unorganized, long and tedious.

•It is very easy for students to cut and to create problems during the process of lunch time.

•Currently there are roughly 200 students at Johnson City High School. Unfortunately, with all of the students, there is not enough sitting room in the cafeteria.

•When it is cold outside the students cannot all fit inside let alone have a place to sit.

•The school’s center courtyard is an area of vacant space that has potential to be a wonderful area for outdoor seating. The garden/courtyard will allow our school to be very eco-friendly. (The idea of all natural and energy efficient ways to store water, natural soils, and compost would allow our school to offer a healthy cafeteria.)

Revised: 3/29/2012

By aubhumphrey10, Student at 12:10 pm, 29 March 2012

I like how you summed up everything at the end, taking the problems and bulleting each one. I like your idea of the collaberating of the music and artwork and such. Your plan to redo the cafeteria is very great.
-Kaitlyn.

By KaitlynFitzy, Student at 10:08 am, 16 April 2012

Curious about the instructions for this step of this cafeteria design problem? >>

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In the Collect Info step of the design process, you try to gather as much information as possible about your existing school cafeteria, along with the students and staff who will use it.  You can't propose new solutions until you figure out and document what the existing problems are.

Try This

  • Walk around the interior of your school building and take photos or a short video of the existing cafeteria. You can upload those photos or short videos here. Be sure to write a detailed description for every image.

Think About

  • How many students need to be seated in the cafeteria during one period?
  • What types of furniture is used in the existing cafeteria? Does it need to be movable? Why or why not?

Try This

  • Interview students, cooks, and other staff about what they think of the existing cafeteria.  What changes would they make to spaces if they had a choice?
  • Make a list of those features that you really like about how your cafeteria looks and functions.
  • Make separate list of all the ways that your current cafeteria is not so well designed (chairs may be uncomfortable or the light is poor, or there are really great outdoor eating areas).

Try This

  • Take measurements of the overall dimensions of your existing cafeteria.
  • Take interior photos of the hallways and entrances that lead into your existing cafeteria.

Think About

  • What are the different pathways that students use to get into the cafeteria now?
  • What types of food are available in your cafeteria? How are they stored?

 

Try This

  • Visit Flickr or another photo sharing site and search for other types of cafeterias to determine good and bad examples of how cafeterias accommodate user’s needs, especially teens.

Think About

  • Does your new school cafeteria need to look like the same typical cafeteria with long rows of tables?  What other eating spaces around the world are inspiring and interesting?

What should I upload in this Collect Info step?

Consider uploading photos, a short video, and a site plan drawing of your existing school library. Help us understand the existing conditions and the location of this room.

How do I collect Information?

How can collecting information help me with the design problem? Learn ways to collect information that will help you with the design process here.

aubhumphrey10's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary
After a very close examination of my school cafeteria and the surrouding areas, I observed several main troubles with the present cafeteria.
INDOOR SEATING- Unfortunately, with all of the students, there may not be enough sitting room in...
2 comments
ENTRANCE HALLWAY- (1 OF 4) The cafeteria may consist of too many open entrances, which makes the...
1 comment
KITCHEN- This kitchen may be out-of-date and lack the space needed to maneuver easily.
3 comments
EXISTING LAYOUT OF JOHNSON CITY HIGH SCHOOL INCLUDING- 1. INDOOR SEATING 2. OUTDOOR SEATING 3...
1 comment
SERVING LINE 1- The lines to get food are extremely unorganized, long and tedious. Also it is very...
1 comment
OUTDOOR SEATING (COURTYARD)- Some students prefer to not eat in the existing interior space. The...
1 comment
OUTDOOR SEATING- Some students prefer to not eat in the existing interior space. The school’s...
3 comments

Curious about the instructions for this step of this cafeteria design problem? >>

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In the Brainstorm Ideas step of the design process, you put some early ideas down on paper that show what you've found in the Collect Info step.  You also might take more photos to show specific new ideas you have. 

The simple diagrams you make here will help you understand how the existing cafeteria location and design compare with your new ideas.

 

Try This

  • Walk around the exterior of your school building and take photos of possible locations for your new cafeteria with outdoor seating.

Think About

  • Will this cafeteria replace your school's existing cafeteria or become an addition to a different part of the building? Will it be built in an empty lot or space?  Will it be underground or built on the roof?  You decide.

Try This

  • Use Google Maps to view and print out an aerial photo of your school. 

Think About

  • Spend some time looking at the aerial photo of your school.  What types of other buildings surround your school?  Homes, businesses, parks, parking lots, or an empty field?  How will these other buildings impact the design of your new library?
  • What types of streets surround your school? Are they busy or quiet?     

Try This

  • On a piece of tracing paper placed over the aerial photo of your school, sketch a diagram showing a large arc around the building to show the path of the sun throughout the day.  This drawing is called a site analysis diagram.  (Remember, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.)
  • Draw other lines on this diagram to indicate the best views around the building.

Think About

  • Based on the site analysis diagram you've sketched, where is the sun located throughout the school day? 
  • How can the indoor and outdoor seating areas of your new cafeteria be positioned to take advantage of the sunlight for good lighting?

What should I upload in this Brainstorm Ideas step?

Consider uploading hand sketches or a quick study model of all your first ideas. You can scan these drawings or take photos of your model.

How do I brainstorm ideas?

Brainstorming ideas is your first step towards making an informed decision to the design solution. Learn more about that here.

aubhumphrey10's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Summary
To brainstorm ideas, adjacency and criteria matrices were created. These tools help generate creative solutions to the problems.
Preliminary Bubble Sketch-1
1 comment
Preliminary Bubble Sketch-2
0 comments
Preliminary Bubble Sketch-3
0 comments
Preliminary Bubble Sketch-4
0 comments
CRITERIA MATRIX
2 comments
ADJACENCY MATRIX
1 comment
REVISED ADJACENCY MATRIX- The Circulation area is the square footage in a building which...
0 comments

Curious about the instructions for this step of this cafeteria design problem? >>

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In the Develop Solutions step, your rough ideas come together with drawings and models that can show others your solutions for a new cafeteria.

Important! Since DiscoverDesign is about investigating the design process, the other people viewing your project - other students around the country, your teacher, and the competition judges - want to see how your ideas have changed over time. This means that while you're working on your digital model, you’ll want to be sure to keep re-saving it with a new file name every few days as you work through the steps.

Try This

  • Draw a sketch or use software such as Google SketchUp, AutoCAD, or Revit to illustrate your ideas.  You can upload photos (JPG files) from your SketchUp model, video fly throughs (FLV files) of your SketchUp model, or drawings (DWF files) from AutoCAD.

 

Try This

  • Make sure your cafeteria includes the following types of spaces and furnishings.
    - indoor seating area (tables, seating)
    - outdoor seating area (tables, seating)
    - food storage (shelves)
    - cook desk (place to check out)
    - small office for kitchen staff
    - bins for recycyling

 

What should I upload in this Develop Solutions step?

Consider uploading images (JPG, GIF) of your rough digital model. It's ok if your model is still a work in progress. Show an axonometric or perspective view with people, which will help others understand the scale of your library.

How do I develop solutions?

Look at all of the ideas you gathered in the last step. How do those respond to the needs of the space? Learn more about developing solutions here.

aubhumphrey10's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Summary
In the "Develop Solutions" step, I began to create my preliminary designs to represent my brainstormed ideas.
PRELIMINARY SOLUTION- OUTDOOR SEATING
3 comments
PRELIMINARY SOLUTION- KITCHEN & FOOD SERVICE
1 comment
PRELIMINARY SOLUTION- INDOOR SEATING
2 comments
A CONCEPTUAL SKETCH REPRESENTS THE GENERAL LAYOUT OF A PRELIMINARY SOLUTION
0 comments
(REVISED) - PRELIMINARY SOLUTION- INDOOR SEATING
0 comments
1 comment

Curious about the instructions for this step of this library design problem? >>

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The final step of the design process is to create more finished drawings that illustrate your ideas to others. Remember, your explanation text, and the types of drawings, images, and models you share need to tell the whole story of your project to someone who may or may not have ever visited your school.

You might want to share floor plans, elevations, renderings of your digital model, photos of a physical model, or a video animation of your model.

Continue to collect feedback from your peers, teachers and the online community to help you improve on your final design. Be sure to review and add constructive comments on the work of other students who are solving the same design problem. If your ideas change, be sure to explain your thinking and let others know about the new work you have posted to your account.

What should I upload in this Final Design step?

Consider uploading final hand or digital renderings, images of your finished physical model, or your finished digital model (as a DWF file).

How do I know I have my final design?

Consider all of the design considerations you made in your last step. Use feedback from students, teachers, and mentors to finalize your design. Learn more about finishing your design here.

aubhumphrey10's work for the Final Design step:

Summary
The Final Design Plan depicts solutions to the existing concerns at Johnson City High School Cafeteria.
With the changes made in this design, existing problems will be solved! The lines to get food are...
8 comments
0 comments