Hampshire Dining Commons Renovation (2013)

 Certified LEED NC v2009 Gold

In 2013, Hampshire Dining Commons underwent a $15.5 million, 20,000 S.F. partial interior renovation to revitalize the aging facility. The existing kitchen and serving areas were converted into an open, circular plan with flexible cooking and serving stations located around the perimeter. Expanded seating for 650 visitors encircles the core, creating a dynamic and accessible dining experience.

Completed in the fall of 2013, the state-of-the-art dining area has a contemporary New England style, with 12 unique food stations designed according to UMass Dining Services’ four guiding principles: healthy eating, sustainability, world flavors, and community. Hampshire Dining Commons is now one of the healthiest and most sustainable dining operations in the nation. This is achieved by serving minimally processed foods, more plant-based items harvested at peak season, less red meat, more sustainable seafood, and healthier oils, fats, and beverages. It was the first dining hall renovation in the country to achieve LEED Gold Certification.

Building Information

Address: 141 Southwest Cir, Amherst, MA 01003 - 9398
Completed: Fall 2013
Size: 20,000 GSF
Designer / Architect: Bergmeyer Associates, Inc.
Construction Manager: Shawmut Design and Construction
Owner's Project Manager: NV5
UMass Project Manager: Burt Ewart
UMass Project Planners: Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham

Sustainability

Resources

LEED Project Scorecard
LEED Project Dashboard
Green Building Brochure

Indoor Air Quality

• Developed and implemented an Indoor Air Quality (AIQ) Plan during construction
• Low-VOC flooring, paints, adhesives, and sealants
• 90% of regularly occupied spaces provide direct views to the outdoors

Materials + Resources

• Dedicated areas for compost recycling collection and storage
• Diverted 81% of demolition and construction wastes from landfill
• 99% of existing walls, floors, and roofs were reused
• 24% of new construction materials utilize recycled content
• 56% of new wood is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified

Innovation in Design

• Green Housekeeping Program incorporates staff training on cleaning processes and chemicals, and customer service
• Food and Utensil Composting Strategy reduces the amount of discarded food and organic waste sent to landfills, provides farms with natural fertilizer, and serves as an educational tool for students

Water Efficiency

• Achieved a 41% reduction in potable water use via low-flow plumbing fixtures

Sustainable Sites

• Connected to basic community services and accessible to two PVTA bus lines
• Bike storage with shower and changing facilities for staff provided onsite
• Discounted parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles
• Light-colored roof reflects the sun’s heat and reduces the heat island effect, decreasing project cooling loads, electricity consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions

Energy & Atmosphere

• Cut overall energy use by 37% using VAV kitchen exhaust hoods, improved glazing, and efficiently generated campus steam and electricity
• High efficiency lighting systems equipped with timing controls and occupancy sensors
• Increased outdoor air ventilation rates to all occupied spaces by 30% above the ASHRAE standard

Photo Gallery

All images courtesy of Bergmeyer Associates, Inc.

Media

Videos

Hampshire DC Grand Opening
UMass Dining - 2/14/2014

Joanne Weir - Hampshire DC
UMass Dining - 2/4/2016

Articles

Campus Dining is a Big Industry, Especially at UMass Amherst
The Boston Globe - 9/10/2013

Hampshire Dining Commons
UMass Dining - n.d.

UMass Goes All in on Health with Dining Renovation
Food Service Director - date (n.d. if unavailable)

Newly Remodeled Hampshire Dining Commons Grand Opening Planned for September 10
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - n.d.

Renovated Hampshire Dining Commons at UMass Amherst Awarded LEED Gold Certification
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - n.d.

University of Massachusetts - Amherst: Hampshire Dining Commons
Bergmeyer Associates, Inc - n.d.

Hampshire Dining Commons Pilot Project
UMass Dining - n.d.