“Drafting” the Future of Konover Campus Center

"What a full circle, awesome moment," says Dadamo, who created the design renderings for "The Nest" in his role as an architectural intern at Amara Associates in Middlebury, Connecticut. "I have a great sense of the space that we're working in. And then, thinking about it from a college student's perspective, asking myself, what would they want that space to be?"

The renderings have evolved since the project began, but the overall concept remains: a soaring indoor dining area featuring high ceilings, wooden beams, and brickwork, leading to an outdoor patio overlooking a picturesque pondside gathering spot.

"Very rustic," says Lead Principal Architect Peter Amara. "Some metals, steel. But mainly that wooden pub feel."

And Amara says much of that came from Dadamo. "He put a lot of thought into what things would look like. There's a lot of creativity behind it."

For Amara, assigning Dadamo to the project was a perfect fit. "He's definitely boots on the ground," Amara says. "He lived it. He was there four years."

Dadamo says his experience helped him to bring a student's point of view to the design: "Like, when you finish class, what makes you want to go there and grab a meal in this great space?"

The $2.8 million renovation, expected to be completed this summer, will create a space where nearly 300 students can eat, gather, and socialize. It will be a modernized version of the University's current Hawk's Nest dining facility, which will be transformed into a centrally located residential market. The dining concept, featuring a large brick pizza oven, will be centered around Connecticut's best comfort foods-dining partner Aramark has been crowd-testing new menu items.

While the renovation proceeds, UHart's new and impressive mobile kitchen has been a visible presence across many areas of campus, including student events, performances, and athletic events.

For Dadamo's part, he's excited to help bring this reimagining of one of his old haunts to life. "Just to be a force in the vision of it has been incredible."