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Kenyon College Peirce Dining Hall
Preserving and modernizing a treasured Gothic Revival building.
The center of student life on campus, Peirce Dining Hall brings together a diverse mix of spaces including dining, student activities, meeting rooms, classrooms and the campus pub.
Kenyon College
Peirce Dining Hall
A preservation mindset.
Preserving and restoring the original building’s architecturally significant features was a priority. Since its completion in 1929, the building evolved through a series of additions. In order to make the building more operational, the additions were removed and replaced with new construction that follows the form of the original building. New and old are linked by a glass atrium that creates a circulation spine. To preserve the architectural integrity of the historic facade, the atrium’s structure is cantilevered from the new addition.
Blending the historic with a modern aesthetic.
Within the Great Hall, historic light fixtures and wood paneling are cleaned and restored to their original condition. Fire protection, insulation, and air conditioning are seamlessly integrated into the finely detailed wood truss and beam ceiling. The new dining spaces offer a contemporary interpretation of the scale and character of the historic spaces, improving the overall cohesion of the building. While the Great Hall continues to be an inward-looking space, Thomas Hall (the new dining room) is oriented to the landscape. Expansive windows offer near panoramic views of the surrounding campus.
Supporting the local food program.
The major expansion of the kitchen and servery allowed for a significant increase in the existing local food program — about 40% of food purchases come from local sources. Twelve food stations replace the traditional cafeteria line and promote greater choices and fresher food. Glass front refrigerators and refrigerated display cases showcase fresh ingredients, and the open servery showcases food preparation—offering students a visual and sensory connection with their meals. Recycling stations reinforce daily habits of recycling. Slurry lines transport food waste to the pulper on the basement level, which prepares food waste for composting.
A variety of spaces.
Smaller dining rooms are located on the lower level and provide views to an outdoor terrace. These private dining rooms are regularly reserved by student groups and are fully equipped with A/V tools. An expanded pub on the lower level, in addition to the music room, computer lab and many other lounge spaces located within the building, encourages day-to-night dining, academic and social activities, and fosters campus community.
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