This spring, a popular new gathering spot at
Carnegie Mellon University will swing open its giant glass garage doors and debut an al fresco dining area.
During the fall, work was completed on the university’s new
Tartans Pavilion, a 5,100-square-foot dining facility designed by Southside-based firm,
SPRINGBOARD. Located between Gesling Stadium and Resnik House, the $1.7 million facility features a wood-fired brick oven, barreled ceilings, concrete floors, and flexible seating for 110 people. The project’s architectural highlight is a glass façade constructed from seven, 11-foot garage-style doors, which open up to create the facility’s unique indoor/outdoor environment.
“It’s been packed all of the time. Its primary function is as a gathering space. Its an open and flexible floor plan, so students can rearrange furniture and move tables out to the sidewalk areas,” says Bob Reppe, with Carnegie Mellon. “The building is designed to be completely sustainable. It’s a space unlike any on campus. The university newspaper called it the luxury box for Gesling Stadium.”
Reppe says that Carnegie Mellon is considering applying for LEED certification for the project. “It was designed to be a different experience on campus—you feel like you’re someplace else. It’s proved to be a really popular space,” adds Paul Rosenblatt, a principal with SPRINGBOARD, who says the pavilion features green building systems, low VOC paints, water-based adhesives, and plenty of daylighting. Contractor was
Rycon Construction.
Tartans Pavilion serves wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, and roasted vegetables to CMU’s 2,500 meal plan holders, as well as to faculty and staff, community members and campus visitors.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSources: Bob Reppe, Carnegie Mellon University; Paul Rosenblatt, SPRINGBOARD
Photograph copyright Brian Cohen