COMPLETE: Toyota Cafeteria Renovation + Addition
After taking a few months off, we’re back with a new blog post! The Toyota Texas Motor Manufacturing Plant is one of San Antonio's largest employers and still growing. To accommodate and continue to attract a talented workforce, the company set out to remodel the facility’s existing cafeteria and kitchen area to be a more enjoyable space to relax between shifts. The Toyota Cafeteria Renovation + Addition began with a reorganization of the existing cafeteria layout for a more optimized flow through the space as well as allowing the space to multi-function as additional meeting space for staff. This included designing a new furniture layout made up of a variety of seating and table arrangements, many of which are modular and able to be reconfigurable as desired. The disjointed decor within the dining space was also consolidated to a more focused and contemporary scheme through the use.
The next step included overhauling the existing kitchen equipment, finishes and fixtures. Textured epoxy floors, jointless wall panels, and kitchen grade ceiling materials offer durability and ease of maintenance for the client going forward. Interior divider walls were removed to improve flow through the kitchen and a new exterior vestibule was added to the loading door for added building efficiency.
As construction of the existing cafeteria began to wrap up, work began on a brand new addition to the dining space that would greatly expand its seating capacity. Translucent Kalwall glazing fills the space with natural daylight throughout the day, while also mimicking the traditional japanese shoji screen. The space opens out to an expansive partially covered patio, allowing employees exposure to sunlight and fresh air before heading back to work on the assembly line. The space features several different types of furniture, giving staff the flexibility to accommodate various different activities and meetings within the now popular space.
Upon completion, the remodeled space was rebranded the 1794 Bistro, named after the historic 1794 JLC Ranch the plant was built on. The new contemporary industrial aesthetic runs throughout the bistro, marrying clean lines, modern colors and touches of natural materials that relate back to the historic ranch. The general contractor for the project was Onsite General Contracting; the MEP engineer was ESA; and the structural engineer was Lehmann Engineering. Fisher Heck provided full architectural services from concept design to construction administration. For more information and pictures of the project, please click on the image below.
