R. Frank Nims Middle School New Cafetorium

Fitzgerald Gray Hagan Architects partnered with Leon County Schools to design the new cafetorium at Nims Middle School. Replacing an obsolete and undersized cafeteria, the facility consolidates dining, performance, and support functions into a cohesive environment with a stage, commercial kitchen, covered outdoor seating, and campus-serving amenities. Designed as a flexible gathering space, the cafetorium enhances both daily student life and the broader identity of the campus.

Driven by careful analysis of site conditions and operational needs, the design transforms existing constraints into opportunities for improved safety, circulation, and connection. Selective demolition and strategic building placement resolved challenges created by sloping topography and an adjacent bus canopy, while reorienting the kitchen to the site perimeter streamlines service access and preserving student-centered spaces. Shaded outdoor seating extends usability and reduces heat gain, while durable material strategies support long-term resilience. The completed cafetorium now serves as a vibrant campus hub for dining, gathering, and performance.