Following our firm’s completion of a campus-wide dining services master plan, the University of Pittsburgh decided to renovate Litchfield Dining Commons. This venue is located on the lower level of three freshmen housing towers and was dated and not inviting. In order to improve overall ambiance, menu variety and selection and customer throughput, our firm teamed with MCF Architects in Pittsburgh to completely renovate this facility.
In addition to being below ground, this project had the additional challenge of keeping the three resident towers intact including the load bearing walls throughout the servery and dining areas. In addition, all new utility and HVAC requirements had to be routed through one existing chase.
The design of this venue, dubbed “Market Central,” features as an innovative platform dining food court with varied types of seating interspersed throughout the servery. Destination stations offer a wide variety of made-to-order and self-serve menu options. The stations include an expansive salad bar with prepared salad options, an Asian fusion station featuring an authentic Mongolian grill, an Italian station featuring wood oven-baked pizzas and pastas, international foods featuring Mediterranean and European-style fare, a classic-style diner featuring grilled foods as well as a breakfast options, a bakery station where breads and pastries are baked on site, a deli bar and beverage stations. Outside of “Market Central,” there is a Taco Bell concept; a grab & go outlet and a convenience store.
