Old Dominion University (Va.) House of Blue.IS IT A FOOD COURT OR IS IT A nightclub? Some creative renovations have made this space both. * FUNCTION: By day, the food court area of Old Dominion University's Webb Center offers franchise restaurants and room for studying and socializing. At night, students hit the same hot spot when they want a cool place to hang out. * CHALLENGES: In its evolution from mainly a commuter school to more of a residential campus in urban Norfolk, ODU ODU Old Dominion University ODU Ohio Dominican University ODU Outdoor Unit (wireless) ODU Optical Channel Data Unit ODU Operational Dress Uniform ODU Optical Density Unit ODU Optical Demultiplexing Unit ODU Outdoor Device Unit officials saw potential in their food court, which catered to a lunch crowd but became a "ghost town ghost town, term for any once flourishing American community that has been abandoned, generally for economic reasons. While most of the towns have little or no population, they often contain old buildings, which may serve as tourist attractions. at night," explains Don Runyon, assistant vice president for Auxiliary Services. The area would shut down, with aluminum gates hiding the food services food services Hospital services A 24/7 department in a hospital that provides for the nutritional needs of inpatients–eg, those needing special diets, preparing meals and transporting them to the floor and, through the cafeteria, the hospital staff and counters. Students wanted more. They needed an evening destination on campus. The idea to transform the food court into a nighttime venue, however, was linked to a small budget and six-month timeline. * SOLUTION: Since significant changes weren't possible, the project's design team worked to make the food court space look more upscale, with contemporary fabrics and finishes as well as tall tables. It was crucial that "the food court did not look like a nightclub and that the nightclub did not look like a food court," notes the project's design principal, architect Stephen C. Wright. Technology aids the evening transformation: Steel security grates close the food stations and are shrouded shroud n. 1. A cloth used to wrap a body for burial; a winding sheet. 2. Something that conceals, protects, or screens: under a shroud of fog. 3. a. with a translucent roller shade and color-changing LED lighting; a DJ booth and a sound system create an energizing energizing, adj giving energy to; revitalizing; rejuvenating. atmosphere. "It really looks like a nightclub and feels like a nightclub after dark," Runyon says, adding that beer and wine are served to students who are of age. About 300 people can use the space, and even early on "we literally had to end up putting security [guards] at the doors." The space has also become popular for student events like poetry slams poetry slam n. A spoken-word poetry competition. and movie showings, departmental receptions, and alumni gatherings. Last school year, House of Blue held four main events per semester se·mes·ter n. One of two divisions of 15 to 18 weeks each of an academic year. [German, from Latin (cursus) s . This year, Runyon says it will be open more often. A cover charge for certain events may be a possibility, Runyon says. And since evening dining sales have not been great, officials will look at ways to improve them. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , the food court area has become a must-stop place on campus tours, and House of Blue has made it to the pages of campus publications and brochures. * RENOVATION COST: Just over $970,000 * COMPLETED: October 2005 * ARCHITECT: Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company |
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