Nelson Architects helps MSU gain green building nod for dining hall
We’re pleased to share, as covered by the Great Falls Tribune, that MSU’s Miller Dining Commons project received the LEED Silver Certification.
As featured in the Great Falls Tribune, Sunday, October 1, 2017
In August 2015, Nelson Architects of Great Falls completed a $14 million modernization of Montana State University’s 1970s cafeteria; the Miller Dining Commons. The project was honored in American School & University’s Educational Interiors Showcase for outstanding designs in August 2016.
In August 2017, MSU’s Miller Dining Commons project received the LEED Silver Certification.
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. The certification program focuses primarily on new, commercial-building projects and based upon a points system. The more points you earn, the higher your rating.
One of the mandates at MSU is that all construction projects meet LEED Silver or better.
“It takes a tremendous amount of planning and strategy to renovate a 1970s building and make it LEED certified in the process. LEED is more easily applied to new construction,” said Dale Nelson, senior managing partner for Nelson Architects. “It was especially challenging as the project had a number of value-engineering budget cuts along with numerous unexpected design changes.”
The design features “controlled daylight” which provides passive solar heat in the winter and reduced electrical demand for lighting during operating hours. The design also opens up the ceilings in the central core of the commons, allowing hot air to rise and release via automatically-opening windows. This night purge reduces the amount of air conditioning needed during the summer months.
In August 2016, MSU Miller Dining Commons received the grand prize for residential dining concepts in the National Association of College and University Food Services’ annual Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards. The Horton awards recognize excellence among campus dining professionals across North America.
Visitors to this 720-seat dining hall are greeted by a variety of exhibition-cooking venues including: Toscana (wood-fired pizza and pasta); Froth & Foam (espresso bar), Tamari Grill (Mongolian grill), Indulge (bakery), Crossroads & Chop’t (vegan and gluten free fare), Route 406 (Montana made products), Blaze (smoker and rotisseries), Grazers (home-style cooking), and Picante (Mexican fare). Miller Dining Commons, open to the public and students alike, prepares approximately 7,000 meals each day.
For more information about Nelson Architects go to www.nelsonarchitects.com, or call 406-727-3286.
Click here to view our project portfolio for the MSU Miller Dining Commons