See inside Queens University’s upscale dining hall

Hot take: The dining hall is one of the most important places on a college campus.

Here’s why: While academic discoveries happen in the classrooms, dining halls are where friendships are formed and memories are made. Plus, they’re often a deciding factor for prospective students.

What this means: Dining halls need to be multi-purpose spaces that can efficiently serve hundreds of people at a time, multiple times a day.

• They also need to be aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.

An example: The newly-redesigned Morrison Hall at Queens University checks all of those boxes and then some. From a pizza oven to bright jewel tones, it’s an exciting spot to have a meal or cram for a test (or both at the same time).

• It was designed by Charlotte-based firm VisionBuilders Design.

Here’s a look around Morrison Hall.

More info: We talked to Danielle O’Melia, Project Manager at VisionBuilders Design, to learn about how the project came to life.

What was the goal of this project?

We wanted to enhance the dining experience for all students, regardless of if they were residents or commuters or what type of meal plan they were on.

• Additionally, the space needed to be accessible 24/7 with an all-day market.

What did you do to bring that goal to life?

First things first: We gutted the existing student center, which allowed us to create a 24/7 seating area that would be shared between resident students and commuting students.

• Even better: After hours, the food-serving areas can be closed down and separated from the seating area via a system of sliding screens.

What’s your favorite part about this project?

I loved the sense of community. We worked hand in hand with the school to give the students the best dining hall.

The deets: In a granular sense, I love the design and function of the space. Each station has a unique look but they work seamlessly to create a cohesive space.

• I also love the clever station names that all pay homage to Queens University and Charlotte, like “MecklenBurger.”

Are there any other special aspects of this project?

The story: The students raised money to honor a Queens employee, Betty Davis (aka Miss Betty), who has been employed with Queens for over 60 years.

• The Market was named “Miss Betty’s Marketplace” in honor of her.

More generally, what are some trends in higher education design you’re noticing?

Similar to Queens, we’re seeing a trend towards multifunctional, 24/7 spaces.

Here’s why: These spaces are areas for students to meet, hang out, work on projects, or have alone time.

• We can accommodate those needs by adding phone rooms, small collaborative spaces, and social spaces like communal tables and large banquettes.

Even better: Diversity in food and dietary needs is another thing we consider and incorporate into our designs based on the school’s population.

Looking ahead: Another trend is the integration of technology, like kiosks and mobile app ordering. Some spaces are also introducing food delivery robots that can deliver your food directly to your table.

Check out VisionBuilders Design’s portfolio to see more cool spaces around Charlotte. If you’re a business owner, get in touch to see how they can bring your vision to life.

This content was produced in partnership with VisionBuilders Design.