project
SACI Dining Hall Concept
location
Treaty 1, Southport, MB
size
~23,650 ft2
year
2024
status
Completed
the people
Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. (SACI), in partnership with SkyAlyne, identified the need for a new dining hall to support the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, growing student capacity, and the evolving needs of the Southport campus. f-BLOK worked closely with SACI and stakeholders through visioning, programming, schematic design, and Class C costing to establish a facility that supports operational requirements while creating a meaningful experience for students, staff, and the broader campus community.
Led by f-BLOK as prime consultant, the project team coordinated architecture, landscape, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and cost consulting services through the schematic design phase. The process was grounded in shared project values including sustainability, accessibility, legacy, and long-term resilience, shaped by the vision ‘Where tradition fuels innovation’. Through this collaborative process, the team established a concept that supports military training operations while reinforcing Southport’s identity, history, and future growth.
The Process
the result
The proposed Southport Dining Hall is conceived as a flagship campus facility that supports dining, social connection, student wellbeing, and public engagement in a single integrated hub. At approximately 20,500 ft2, the one-storey concept organizes front-of-house, dining, and back-of-house functions into a highly efficient layout centered around a dramatic mass timber dining hall inspired by the form and movement of flight.
To achieve these objectives, the design emphasizes operational efficiency, architectural presence, long-term sustainability, and a strong connection between building, landscape, and campus life.
Key features and program elements include:
A signature mass timber dining hall with aviation-inspired forms, soaring rooflines, and expansive glazing that creates a welcoming, light-filled gathering space
Dining facilities designed to support FAcT meal service requirements while accommodating staff, visitors, and broader campus use
Flexible front-of-house spaces including public and student lounges, bar, cultural room, wellness room, and outdoor dining areas
Clearly organized public, support, and back-of-house zones that optimize flow, security, and operational efficiency
A landscape strategy rooted in native and Indigenous plantings, outdoor gathering spaces, and enhanced campus wayfinding
Inclusive design aligned with CSA B651-23 and Gender-Based Analysis Plus principles, including gender-inclusive and accessible amenities
High-performance design targeting LEED Silver, Zero Carbon Building Standard, geothermal readiness, and photovoltaic integration opportunities
Durable materials and systems designed for a 50-year lifecycle, supporting long-term value and reduced operational impacts
The result is a future-ready concept that strengthens Southport’s training infrastructure while creating a welcoming and memorable destination at the heart of campus. Through its integration of dining, community, culture, and environmental performance, the Southport Dining Hall is designed to support both the practical needs and broader aspirations of a growing aerospace campus.
