Valley Dining Center

Western Michigan University (WMU) is a national research university that is home to nearly 25,000 students. In order to provide students, staff and guests with a blend of housing and dining that enhances social interaction and appeals to all kinds of students, the University chose to build Valley Dining Center.

The state-of-the-art dining venue serves 3,000 students occupying the adjacent Valley residence halls. The two-story wood and steel framed facility houses an upper-level open plan main floor dining area with a variety of venue options and a lower level with back-of-house functions and retail cafe. The facility is designed to provide students and guests with a contemporary food venue featuring kiosk-style cooking and clearly visible preparation areas.

With the ability to seat 1,000 guests and serve as a valuable amenity for WMU community members, the iconic dining venue serves as a recruitment tool for new students. The design also enhances pedestrian activity and safety while respecting scenic features and ecologically sensitive areas. A green roof and daylighting were implemented, while recycled materials were used during construction.