Social 704 awarded Certificate of Merit for Excellence in project Implementation

The design and construction teams responsible for the complete renovation of Social 704 in the Popp Martin Student Union were awarded a Certificate of Merit by the State Building Commission in the category of Excellence in Project Implementation. The award was presented during the annual state construction conference March 7.

This merit award category recognizes both the exceptional quality of the design and the construction and highlights the collaboration of the team. In receiving the award, the project was deemed successful in design, construction and overall project implementation. The project’s success was a direct result of the hard work and dedication of Amanda Caudle, assistant director of project management in facilities management, who served as project manager; the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, which managed construction; Tipton Associates, which was the dining consultant; and Moseley Architects.

Social 704, which was formerly Crown Commons, is a 14,200-square-foot dining hall that serves the campus community daily. This renovation project was necessary to accommodate the University’s enrollment growth. The entire renovation was completed during summer 2023, and the new Social 704 opened its doors on Aug. 20.

Some of the renovation highlights include:

• An open and inviting dining space, which maximizes the number of seats, expands space for preparing and serving food, improves circulation and creates an inviting and vibrant seating area. The design also improves traffic flow and reduces wait times at individual food stations
• An updated entrance that is welcoming and provides visibility of the seating and food offerings
• A variety of seating options that accommodate a range of diners from solo to large student groups
• Enhanced sustainability features within the design and physical structures
• Seven unique stations, plus a breakfast nook and dessert bar
• Renovated food venues and back-of-house kitchens that improve operational efficiency

Learn more about this renovation and see a timelapse of the project on the auxiliary services website.