Providence, RI – RDK Engineers (RDK) has completed work on the new Center
for Culinary Excellence at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. RDK joined forces with
Tsoi/Kobus & Associates and provided MEP/FP design and construction administration services for the
new 82,000 SF teaching facility located on the university’s Harborside campus.
RDK kept the needs of the growing student body in mind while working on the Center for Culinary
Excellence, which includes everything culinary students could need to master their craft. The new facility
includes 20 kitchens, each specially equipped for diverse hands-on culinary activities such as chocolate
making, pastry baking, brewing and wine tasting; three dining rooms; several walk-in coolers; classroom
spaces; and numerous faculty and administrative offices. The facility will be submitted for LEED Silver
Certification and includes sustainable design elements such as storm water harvesting for plumbing and VAV
exhaust hoods in the kitchens. In addition, the RDK team conducted energy modeling to optimize energy
performance.
“This new Center for Culinary Excellence showcases Johnson & Wales’ commitment to their students,” said
RDK Project Manager Chris Hildreth. “We are proud to be a part of the team that brought Johnson & Wales’
vision to life. We are delighted to have partnered with Tsoi/Kobus & Associates on this innovative space
which will serve students and faculty for years to come.”