Laney College, Culinary Academy and Laney Bistro

Oakland, California

Firm

WLC Architects

Client

Peralta Community College District

Area

13,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$7,087,000

Completion Date

03/2009

This project is an interior modernization of the culinary facilities at Laney College, which include a culinary teaching kitchen, commercial kitchen, bakery and adjoining Laney Bistro restaurant—totaling 13,000 square feet. The modernization needed to provide not only a facility to cook and serve an expanded number of students, but also an interesting and stimulating learning environment that inspires the students in the combination of culinary and art.

Laney Bistro operates in conjunction with the culinary program. It was envisioned to be a "destination" and a "dining experience." To reflect the college’s educational character and the site’s urban nature, the architect chose a metropolitan and elegant style. The existing dense, framed storefront that obstructed the view to the Oakland Estuary was replaced with full-height operable glass partition systems that can be folded and stacked, expanding the indoors to the outdoors. By incorporating an interior full folding partition, the space can be divided for multi-use spaces.

The acoustical quality of the entire space is enhanced by acoustic treatment on the wall and the use of unique acoustical ceiling panels. The finish materials are sustainable, and were selected for their aesthetics and durability.