Tipton Associates was retained to design all of the foodservice and dining venues in the $176 million comprehensive renovation of the UK Gatton Student Center. Venues include the 650-seat All You Care to Eat dining inside Champions Kitchen, national retail brands, a catering kitchen to serve the entire UK campus, and support kitchens for the two ballrooms. Design services were provided for all phases: programming and planning through construction administration and close out.
The Gatton Student Center was created with the idea of building a bridge to the next generation as a mix of tradition and modification providing opportunities for faculty and students across the campus and the Commonwealth to interact and grow.
In 2019, Tipton Associates partnered again with Omni Architects on the renovation and expansion of the Student Center, with new dining space to accommodate the University’s continued growth. The Gatton Student Center achieved LEED Silver Certification in 2020 and was awarded an AIA Kentucky Honor Award for Excellence in Architectural Design in 2021.