The new 'Ground' cafe serves not only to create social cohesion among faculty and students of the engineering school, but also to encourage interaction between and among members of other departments in the University. In our design, we engaged the unadorned poured-concrete volume of a former seminar room by layering a palette of walnut planks, perforated aluminum, and cleft bluestone over the walls, floor, and ceiling of the space.

We create spatial and material situations that engage and inspire people. Our process first involves an intense exploration, or unpacking, of the existing physical and cultural characteristics of a place. With this groundwork, we collaborate with our clients to uncover the root of their mission and their program. We continue our dialogue with the client and our interpretation of the program and site through a rigorous examination of the spatial and material possibilities of a project. We search for the most compelling combinations of spatial arrangements, materials, forms, and techniques that simply and gracefully express our mutual design intent.

Yale University comprises three major academic components: Yale College (the undergraduate program), the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the professional schools. In addition, Yale encompasses a wide array of centers and programs, libraries, museums, and administrative support offices. Approximately 11,250 students attend Yale.