Shaker High School, Cafeteria Additions and Renovations

Latham, New York

Firm

Collins + Scoville Architects

Client

North Colonie Central School District

Area

360,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$8,076,000

Completion Date

09/2003

A cafe-style setting, achieved through renovations and additions to Shaker High School’s two cafeterias, brings warmth and sophistication while doubling the overall seating capacity. Streetlights accentuate Taft Cafeteria, while a tile mural of a bison, the school mascot, greets those entering LaFollette Cafeteria, which is adjacent to the main building entry and also serves as a major circulation spine for the building.
A mix of table sizes and shapes encourages flexible groupings. Tables can be rearranged or removed entirely to create multipurpose rooms for testing, concerts and large instruction areas. Acoustics were optimized to accommodate special events.
LaFollette Cafeteria has a full-length skylight and pleasant, controlled daylight through a wall of windows. Constructed under a deep overhang, the room is shaded from excessive heat in warmer months and absorbs heat in winter months when the sun sits lower in the sky. Taft Cafeteria, expanded by filling in an existing courtyard, previously had no exposure to natural light but now creates the feeling of being outdoors via a translucent panel roof.
Radiant floor heating and air conditioning maintain a comfortable setting throughout the year, and smaller table groupings have been effective in reducing noise levels in both cafeterias.