Dining Hall

Indian Springs School

Indian Springs, Alabama

The Kayser-Samford Community Commons is the second phase building project of our 2012 Master Plan for Indian Springs School. Continuing a Phase One partnership with Lake|Flato, our team designed the Community Commons as the primary campus dining facility, serving three meals a day. In addition, the Commons building is intentionally designed as a social hub for students and faculty throughout the day.

The design prioritizes indoor-outdoor connectivity and natural light. Large expanses of glass direct views to the campus lake, while the shaded porches provide comfortable options for gathering outside. Glue-laminated beams, white oak ceilings and walls warm the interior while making acoustically comfortable spaces. The Commons building is grounded sensitively in the landscape, taking advantage of the natural topography and preserving the surrounding legacy trees. The original iconic bronze bell which hung atop the original dining hall was restored and is given a new glass-enclosed, prominent home in the private dining room, visible from the main entry promenade.