The cafeteria at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, Indiana had only seen cosmetic updates since it was initially built in 1963. Aside from being overdue for a refresh, the hospital was losing revenue as both staff and patient guests alike were opting to leave the hospital to grab meals rather than utilizing the cafeteria.

 The existing layout consisted of three main areas: the servery and salad bar, the dining area, and the trash and tray room.  Each of these rooms were compartmentalized and did not provide an efficient flow for users. One of the very first goals would be to open up the space to avoid traffic issues and maximize efficiency.

With a floor plan established, remaining goals included providing security for the servery after hours and creating an environment that would feel modern and inviting to patrons.