TheeMakers
Thee Makers would like to redesign our school cafeteria because it does not meet the needs of students or adults. Our current school cafeteria is so small, that all the students are crammed together. The lunch lines travel all the way out into the seating area. Many students do not enjoy eating in there and opt for other places on campus to eat. We would like to have many more healthy food options and a rock garden.
TheeMakers's work for the Collect Information step:
We went to the existing cafeteria and took pictures of the interior and exterior. We took pictures of the tables, the traffic movement, the doors, the windows and the flags used for decoration. On the outside, we took pictures of the the existing Border cafe, and of the actual building itself. We interviewed our principal Mr. Paul Oropallo. He views the existing cafeteria as "old looking" with ceilings that are way too high. He'd like to see it to be more pleasing to the eye and incorporate more Mira Loma spirit. He would like to design a wall for showcasing student work.
TheeMakers's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:
We would like to make our school cafeteria big enough to accommodate everyone with indoor and outdoor seating options. We plan to create a wall between the lunch line and eating area down both sides of the cafeteria so they do not interfere with each other. The line on the left side of the cafeteria will be a salad bar with fresh fruits and vegetables. The right side will be for regular cafeteria food that will provide healthier options for the students. We will put round tables around the cafeteria so students can sit with their friends. Outdoor seating will also be provided with canopy coverings.
TheeMakers's work for the Develop Solutions step:
The outside of the cafeteria
The canopy area
Standing from the line, the wall separate's the eating area
Standing from the line, looking towards the serving area
From the serving area looking towards the sitting
Over view of kitchen an serving
Kitchen
Rock garden
When the students and the administration were interviewed about the current cafeteria, the biggest issue was the lack of space. We solved this problem by positioning the lines away from the seating area to give a greater sense of space to students already eating. A second seating area was also made on the outside of the building for additional space. We included more windows to allow more light into the building, and we painted the walls with vivid colors.
Comments
Where are all the steps in your design process? How did you gather your information, where are your photos of the existing structure? Where is your ariel view?
You're behind Thee Makers. Bring it!
We really like the interior of your new cafeteria design. We also found the rock garden interesting but it is too close to the outdoor seating. :)
I agree. The design is interesting, but the rock garden too close. How can you move it to allow it more visual appeal? Also where are your specifics within the brainstorm section? I need more process details. You need a logo as well.
Think about the required exits and how you will direct traffic in case of an emergency?
How does this design benefit the community? What are your eco friendly aspects?
Make sure you add a feedback section so you can dialog and respond to any/all feedback you get. You will be responsible for this during your final presentation Oct. 4 & 5.
It's great to hear that you interviewed your principal. He gave you some very specific feedback on improvements he would like in the new cafeteria, but I am not sure I seem this reflected in your design. How are you incorporating the Mira Loma spirit? Did you include a wall to showcase student work?
It would also be helpful if you included more photos of the existing conditions that you took. I'd love to see some pictures of the cafeteria in action, to see the overcrowded conditions. Maybe include a diagram of the current traffic patterns (you can contrast this against a diagram of the traffic patterns in your design.)
Process sketches are also essential. How did you get to your final design? Do you have other drawings besides the sketch up model? An overall plan would be really helpful.
I appreciate that your team really focused on the lack of space and improving the organization of the cafeteria. I think that your design could really improve the function of the cafeteria, but what about the quality of experience? Adding windows and using bright colors are a start, but I would like to see more exploration of the design of the space. What will it feel like to be in the new cafe?
Like any project there will not be a unified position on any given aspect of your project. I like the location of the rock garden and it's influence on enviroment. The low wall seporating the line from a seating area could bring in artistic elements inot yoru project as well. Will the division of existing space result in areas that will be under used because they are too small? I like your exploration of outdoor space since it can be comfortabely used for 8 months out of a 10 month school year.
Hey TheeMakers. Now that you have some original design work, it's time to change your portfolio cover image to reflect this. Consider putting up one of your Sketchup models / renderings. Good stuff here!
Thanks for all the comments and feedback we will upload or portfolio cover image tonight.
Thank you for the feedback. We will upload more photos of our existing cafeteria and sketches that we have created ASAP. We would like to dedicate one wall to showcase all student work. We would also like to create a mural on another wall to show our Mira Loma pride. We are in the process of putting more windows in our design and the roof will be made of glass so the cafeteria will have natural light.
We appreciate your feedback to our project prindle18. The rock garden, we believe, will have a bigger feeling of influence on its environment than you may perceive. This is still a work in progress, and we already have new, more exciting ideas to make it more appealing to the eye. Also, the outdoor seating area will protect against rain because of the canopy, so it can be in use all year long! The only exception would be very low temperatures, but those are rare during lunchtime around here.
Thanks again!
I'm looking forward to your rock garden enhancements. Can artwork be painted on the rocks every year by the Senior class?
Your cafeteria is very well designed. The outdoor seating was an interesting addition, and the rock garden has a lot of potential. The only flaw we have noticed in your design is that there is a lack of space for students to just relax and enjoy themselves. Maybe you could incorporate a few couches or cushioned chairs. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your feedback. We think that your idea about painting on the rocks for the rock garden is a great idea. We are still trying to decide whether we want to paint them or not.
Thank you for your feedback. We also think that we need to incorporate a few couches like you mentioned. We thank you for your ideas and also your wonderful feedback.
i like all the enthusiasm here! and i see from your comments that you are continuing to push your design, which is great. be sure to post your updates.
For our rock garden, we want to keep it in the same location, because we think it brings a Zen atmosphere to the students eating outside. However we will move it over two feet, just so we can remove the posts from the garden.
@ theemakers where is your inspiration for your new cafeteria design? We love your idea of having outdoor seating for the students. Keep up the good work!!!!!
Yes, I agree.. be sure to post your updates and how you are actually using the feedback to inspire greater designs and creativity within your ideas. Keep up the good work.