Because poor diet and obesity are causal factors for various forms of cancer and many other diseases, when the National Cancer Institute, was given an opportunity to plan its first in-house cafeteria, they took the project very seriously. HOPKINS was brought in to perform an extensive planning effort. NCI wanted to provide an environment in which visitors and staff could make optimal food choices, model behaviors that reduce risk for cancer and other diseases, and increase wellness. The healthy choice was to be the easy choice.
Hurricane Katrina gave this hospital the reason and the resources to upgrade its thirty-five-year-old, 18,000 square foot dietary department to bring it up and into the twenty-first century. Fortunately, because new equipment could be integrated into the existing utility infrastructure, the fast-track schedule was met to the satisfaction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Dickstein Shapiro moved into International Square on K Street in Washington, D.C. An aspect of the renovation of the space formerly occupied by the IMF was to gut and redesign its cafeteria. This in-house cafeteria needed to compete successfully with a large public food court on the ground floor. To maximize the benefit of the Dickstein Shapiro foodservice system, HOPKINS was asked to lead the search for a full-time operator. When the project was in full-swing, the client expressed its delight that the entire spectrum of employees from top attorneys to admin assistants at Dickstein Shapiro enjoyed dining together for the first time. The cafeteria successfully changed the culture of the firm.
A new staff café within walking distance of a plethora of foodie options for employees of Discovery Communications’ world headquarters gives them a home of their own. DCI's goal in commissioning this project was to create an aesthetically pleasing cafeteria that reflects positively on the Discovery brand while satisfying their employees’ need for a place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch. Mission accomplished.