DiscoverDesign.org is produced by the
This project has been archived. To make it an active project, contact your teacher or the site administrator.

New Mira Loma High School Cafeteria

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

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

Show Hide

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The current Mira Loma High School cafeteria is small and outdated; the current kitchen and utensils have been used for about forty years. The cafeteria is not being used efficiently - there should be assemblies, talent shows, and even presentations in the cafeteria. Elite Designs hopes to fix these problems while incorporating sustainable, durable, and green products, and giving the cafeteria a more spacious feeling.

Comments

You have set up some really nice parameters to start designing a much more pleasant and flexible and usable dining and community space for your school. I can't wait to see where this process takes you!

A couple of quick notes on this overview/analysis:
-putting together a solid list of new program ideas / goals would be great - here you mention presentations, performances, assemblies, art display, interaction/relaxation space - it will help drive your design.
-start to understand what causes all of the lines in the cafeteria - it may not be as simple as just 'secluding' the lines.
-i'm excited about the idea of a more sustainable and green cafeteria - the sooner you can start to clarify these strategies the better - its easy to just say those broad terms, but i'll be really interested in seeing how you plan to achieve them
-maybe the student garden could just serve the students at lunch instead of being sold??? promoting good health in your school and it would just be cool to grow your lunch!

By logan_rogers, Architect at 12:01 pm, 09 September 2011

Ok Elite- Where are your plans and your overview? lets see that creativity take form.

By Stiles-Roberts, Educator at 07:05 pm, 11 September 2011

Thank you for the constructive comments! We'll be sure to keep them in mind.

By mlhselitedesigns, Student at 12:04 pm, 12 September 2011

It seems like some of the more detailed collect info is included in the overview. I think you also have interesting ideas and are developing a projec that will respond to what your "client" wants/needs. Now it time to move to the next step.

By Prindle_18, Educator at 05:06 pm, 12 September 2011

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

Show Hide

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.

mlhselitedesigns's work for the Collect Information step:

Mira Loma High School's cafeteria is in need of a makeover. There are about 300 students who use the cafeteria during break, and about 450-500 students during lunch. With Mira Loma's limited space of 100' x 70', there is not enough indoor seating for students during the extremely hot weather or the rainy seasons.

Because the indoor cafeteria tables are long and skinny, which does not encourage student interaction and does not aid in socialization, the kitchen staff at the school suggest the use of more round tables. There is only one restroom for each gender in the cafeteria, which is an insufficient amount, especially when there are only two stalls in the girls' restroom.

There are a multitude of issues with Mira Loma's cafeteria and there is much work to be done.

The students say that they would like to see more creativity in the cafeteria and also more space. They also want the place to feel like a place they can "hang out" with their friends. Many girls suggest that there should be more stalls in the cafeteria since it is remote from other bathrooms around the school.

Completed

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

Show Hide

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.

mlhselitedesigns's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Elite Designs is filled with copious ideas and inspirations from images of other successful architecture, as well as ideas from personal experiences.

Our Director of Interior Design will incorporate reusable items and materials in the school cafeteria, including:
• Recycled glass countertops
• Kitchen paper stone and rain stone
• WM Solar Powered Compacts
For students to socialize and further interact with one another, there will be a variety of table sizes and shapes, including rectangular, square, and circular, as suggested by the Mira Loma kitchen staff; the tables will not be long and thin like the current cafeteria tables. The seats will be cushioned for comfortability, and not connected as one extended bench that is immovable. There will be additional student art work placed throughout the cafeteria. The cramped kitchen will be much more spacious for the staff members to prepare and serve food.

The Director of Landscaping will use drought proof plants and eliminate as much grass as possible. There will be beautiful rocks added to the landscaping and an irrigation system that will be solar powered. The Director of Landscaping will also use recycled materials, such as recycled tires for the mulch by RubberRecycle. We will use plants such as:
• Euonymus Compactus
• Cortaderia Pumila
• Nepeta Walker's Low

Because there will be community garden added into the school's design, the Director of Communications will speak to the community and make sure that they will be willing to participate with the maintenance of the garden. The Director of Landscaping will also inform the community about the upcoming construction. The Director of Communications will also:
• Plan community events in the cafeteria
• Make sure extra veggies from the garden go the elderly or the hungry

Our Director of Building Design will make the building circular so the cafeteria will not look like every other rectangular/square cafeteria. The building will be enclosed by laminated glass curtain walls for insulation. The cafeteria will have two levels - an indoor first floor and an outdoor second floor, giving students choices of indoor and outdoor seating.

Our Director of Sustainability & Energy Efficiency will use:
• Laminated glass curtain walls
• Solar cells
The laminated glass curtain walls will be a safer material for students because if the glass breaks, it will not separate and fall into a million pieces. Solar cells are eco friendly products that will conserve energy from the sunlight.

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

Show Hide

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.

mlhselitedesigns's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Elite Designs has developed solutions to the many problems of Mira Loma's cafeteria. We have researched eco-friendly materials to use in our design. The materials will be sustainable and will hopefully be the solution to many of the cafeteria's problems.

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

Show Hide

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.

mlhselitedesigns's work for the Final Design step:

Elite Designs has created a brand new, high-class cafeteria for Mira Loma that will hopefully be the solution to the current cafeteria problems. With a bigger size and newer shape, the cafeteria will provide more room for student seating and a bigger kitchen, and attract much more of the students' attentions.