MCN Build - Whittier Elementary School

PROJECTS IN PRACTICE

MCN Build – Whittier Elementary School

Three-unit semi-permanent KCI commercial kitchen facility installed for Whittier Elementary School’s temporary swing campus in Washington, DC.

Location
Washington D.C.
Output
900 Meals per day
Facility Size
1,300 Sq. Ft.
Project Length
Semi- Permanent

THE PROJECT

Project Overview

As part of the modernization of Whittier Elementary School in Washington, D.C., MCN Build needed a complete commercial kitchen facility to support daily food-service operations at the school’s temporary swing-space campus.

Rather than providing a traditional rental facility, KCI Temporary Kitchens designed and constructed an approximately 1,300-square-foot, three-unit semi-permanent commercial kitchen facility equipped with all-new commercial food-service equipment. MCN Build purchased the facility for the project, creating a long-term investment that can be relocated and reused for future school renovation projects.

Challenge

A multi-year school modernization required a reliable commercial kitchen solution capable of supporting daily meal production while the permanent school underwent extensive renovations. The temporary campus needed the functionality of a permanent institutional kitchen without sacrificing flexibility for future use.

✓ Maintain Daily Food Service: Provide the cooking, preparation, and warewashing capabilities necessary to support students and staff at the temporary campus.

✓ Deliver a Complete Kitchen Facility: Incorporate commercial cooking equipment, food preparation areas, refrigeration, freezer storage, warewashing, and dry storage.

✓ Support Long-Term Operations: Design a durable, semi-permanent facility suitable for extended use throughout the school’s modernization.

✓ Plan for Future Relocation: Create a modular kitchen solution that MCN Build could relocate and reuse on future school construction projects.

Solution

KCI Temporary Kitchens designed and built a three-unit, approximately 1,300-square-foot semi-permanent commercial kitchen facility specifically configured for Whittier Elementary School’s temporary campus. The facility was constructed with all-new commercial equipment and designed to provide the essential functions of a permanent school kitchen.

✓ Complete Commercial Kitchen: Dedicated production cooking, food preparation, warewashing, walk-in refrigeration and freezer storage, and dry storage.

✓ Purpose-Built & Connected: Three interconnected modular units designed to function as one integrated commercial food-service facility.

✓ Long-Term Investment: MCN Build purchased the facility rather than renting, providing an asset that can continue serving future projects.

✓ Relocatable & Reusable: A modular design that allows the facility to be moved and repurposed for future school renovations, extending its value beyond the Whittier project.

PROJECT PHOTOS

Project Gallery

Explore the kitchen layout, equipment, and functional spaces delivered for this project.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about this temporary kitchen project.

Can KCI design a temporary school kitchen for long-term use?

Yes. KCI can provide temporary and semi-permanent commercial kitchen facilities configured around a school’s food service requirements, available space, project duration and equipment needs.

How is a multi-unit temporary kitchen different from a standard kitchen trailer?

Multiple interconnected units provide considerably more usable space and allow KCI to create dedicated operational zones. At Whittier, the three units form a single commercial kitchen facility with separate production, preparation, and warewashing areas.

Was the Whittier Elementary kitchen rented or purchased?

MCN Build purchased the facility from KCI rather than renting it. This allows the kitchen facility to be relocated and used to support future school renovation projects.

Why use a temporary kitchen during a school renovation?

A temporary or semi-permanent kitchen allows a school to maintain food service operations while its permanent kitchen or campus is under construction, helping minimize disruption to students and staff.

FEATURED WORK

Projects in Practice

A selection of temporary kitchen projects demonstrating KCI's experience across essential foodservice environments.

Aerial view of KCI's 9,000-square-foot, 20-unit temporary commercial kitchen facility at San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas.

San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC)

San Antonio, TX | Custom

A 9,000-square-foot custom temporary kitchen consisting of 20 interconnected units, supporting foodservice operations at San Antonio Military Medical Center during a major facility renovation.

View Project

Citizens Memorial Hospital

Bolivar, MO | 5-Wide Facility

A five-wide temporary kitchen supporting uninterrupted hospital foodservice during a 24-month renovation.

View Project