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Yahentamitsi Dining Hall
![The exterior of Yahentamitsi Dining Hall at the University of Maryland](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior.jpg 2400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-1536x1150.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2048x1533.jpg 2048w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-170x127.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-400x300.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-600x449.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-800x599.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-1200x899.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1_Yahentamitsi-Exterior-1600x1198.jpg 1600w)
Working with design-build contractor, Holder Construction Company, Ayers Saint Gross designed the Yahentamitsi Dining Hall as part of a new residential village serving the University of Maryland Honors College. The dining hall is named in recognition of the Indigenous peoples of the Piscataway Tribe, upon whose land the University of Maryland sits. The word “Yahentamitsi” means A Place to Go to Eat in the native Algonquian language.
The focus of the dining facility is the holistic nourishment of up to 15,000 daily users, while reducing landfill waste and achieving high sustainability standards. The facility is designed to be open 18 hours per day, continuously, and accommodate the University’s self-operated “All You Care to Eat All Day” model. It is conveniently located near a variety of academic spaces, making it a flexible and attractive dining option for the overall student body.
![The exterior of Yahentamitsi Dining Hall at the University of Maryland](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web.jpg 2200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-170x128.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-400x300.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-600x450.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-800x600.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0021807_00_N54_web-1600x1200.jpg 1600w)
![The exterior of Yahentamitsi Dining Hall at the University of Maryland](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2.jpg 1500w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2-1145x1536.jpg 1145w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2-104x140.jpg 104w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2-60x80.jpg 60w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2-298x400.jpg 298w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2-447x600.jpg 447w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2-596x800.jpg 596w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2-895x1200.jpg 895w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-Exterior-2-1193x1600.jpg 1193w)
![Yahentamitsi Entrance 3](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3.jpg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3-170x128.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3-400x300.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3-600x450.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3-800x600.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-3-1600x1200.jpg 1600w)
Biometric readers at the main entrance help reduce lines at peak meal times, while taking up less square footage than traditional card swipe entrances. Similarly, the dish drop/wash area is strategically located near, but not immediately adjacent to, the main egress to help control crowd flow.
The interior of the facility is divided into seating areas, large kitchen spaces, and a series of micro-restaurants that can function independently from the main kitchen. The interior and exterior design intent highlights what is background and foreground. Ceilings, tilework, lighting, and countertop materials are generally neutral and similar along the main meandering circulation, and subtle differences in tile pattern, texture, and graphic design features offer clues to the function of each station.
![Students get food at various dining stations at Yahentamitsi Dining Hall.](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835.jpg 1937w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835-1536x1123.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835-170x124.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835-80x58.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835-400x292.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835-600x439.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835-800x585.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835-1200x877.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-e1679515119835-1600x1170.jpg 1600w)
![Students get food at various dining stations at Yahentamitsi Dining Hall.](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2.jpg 2250w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-170x113.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-80x53.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-600x400.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-service-2-1600x1067.jpg 1600w)
![A student waits for food at the Mediterranean food station, which features a pizza over surrounded...](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station.jpg 1500w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station-1141x1536.jpg 1141w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station-104x140.jpg 104w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station-59x80.jpg 59w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station-297x400.jpg 297w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station-446x600.jpg 446w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station-594x800.jpg 594w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station-891x1200.jpg 891w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-pizza-station-1188x1600.jpg 1188w)
Unique design opportunities include a Mediterranean station with a pizza oven installed in a feature wall of blue tile. A “sports bar” micro-restaurant features a wall of televisions and a unique color scheme and lighting design.
![The sports pub microrestaurant features metal tile and a wall of televisions.](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub.jpg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub-170x128.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub-400x300.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub-600x450.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub-800x600.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-sports-pub-1600x1200.jpg 1600w)
![A large emphasis of the Yahentamitsi Dining Hall is food on display.](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep.jpg 2009w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep-1536x1147.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep-170x127.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep-400x299.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep-600x448.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep-800x597.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep-1200x896.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-food-prep-1600x1195.jpg 1600w)
The design emphasizes food preparation and visibility, so visitors can see and appreciate the way their food is being stored and prepared. The neutral stance of the architecture itself gives flexibility, so that the micro-restaurant concepts can change over time without requiring major renovations.
The building has two loading docks: one at the lower level to handle incoming provisions and one at the upper (main) level to serve sanitation and waste hauling needs. Most of the dry storage items with a longer shelf life are stored adjacent to the lower-level loading dock while fresh food travels up a freight elevator to the main kitchen.
![The entrance of Yahentamitsi Dining Hall](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance.jpg 2250w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-170x113.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-80x53.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-400x267.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-600x400.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-800x533.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-entrance-1600x1067.jpg 1600w)
![Yahentamitsi Shad Fish](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish.jpg 1500w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish-1145x1536.jpg 1145w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish-104x140.jpg 104w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish-60x80.jpg 60w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish-298x400.jpg 298w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish-447x600.jpg 447w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish-596x800.jpg 596w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish-895x1200.jpg 895w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-shad-fish-1193x1600.jpg 1193w)
In reflection of the dining hall’s name, custom environmental graphic design elements weave through the entire facility, offering historical facts and authentic perspectives and artwork representing the Piscataway Tribe.
The entrance of the dining hall displays a large map of the trade routes that served the Piscataway people for more than 13,000 years, as well as original artwork by a Piscataway artist representing the legend of the shad fish.
![Yahentamitsi Hall Environmental Graphic Designs show images of the Seven Grandfathers.](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2.jpg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2-170x128.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2-600x450.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-graphics-2-1600x1200.jpg 1600w)
Woven throughout the dining hall are pieces of information about gathering cycles, the Seven Grandfathers and a hand painted mural. The dining hall’s lower level features a comprehensive timeline of the tribe’s history as well as a photographic display of hand-beaded Wampum Belts.
![A hand-painted mural depicts the gathering cycles in a quiet dining room at Yahentamitsi Dining...](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural.jpg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural-170x128.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural-400x300.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural-600x450.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural-800x600.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-mural-1600x1200.jpg 1600w)
![A comprehensive timeline of the Piscataway-Conoy tribe in the Yahentamitsi Dining Hall](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline.jpg 2000w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline-170x128.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline-400x300.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline-600x450.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline-800x600.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-timeline-1600x1200.jpg 1600w)
![A treaty wall displays photographs of hand-beaded Wampum Belts in Yahentamitsi Dining Hall.](https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall.jpg 1988w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall-1536x1159.jpg 1536w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall-170x128.jpg 170w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall-80x60.jpg 80w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall-400x302.jpg 400w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall-600x453.jpg 600w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall-800x604.jpg 800w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall-1200x905.jpg 1200w, https://ayerssaintgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yahentamitsi-treaty-wall-1600x1207.jpg 1600w)