Cullinary Arts Center

Project Use: Learning
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Client: Monroe College
Completion Date: 2007
Award: American School & University Outstanding Design Award 2008;
McGraw-Hill Construction Best of 2007 Award,

This former auto repair shop is now transformed into a sleek, state-of-the-art culinary arts facility for Monroe College’s School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Arts, with sparkling stainless steel equipment and accent colors. The open-plan layout responds to the facultys vision of a flexible learning space with the concurrent uses typical in a large commercial kitchen, and includes a banquet battery, pastry battery, and two a-la-carte kitchen areas organized around a service spine. Unlike a typical commercial kitchen, the space was designed for visual transparency, in keeping with the college’s commitment to creating a culinary education showcase. The vestibule functions as an observation point for kitchen activities. It’s angled portal into the pastry area follows the slope of the dramatic ceiling within, which conceals ductwork while enabling natural light to permeate the space from the high windows. The glazed windows with sunshades for integral climate control provide a view of student chefs from the adjoining courtyard, a major campus gathering space.