NYC Releases Pre-Approved Outdoor Dining Designs

Four designs cater to various street conditions and locations.

1 minute read

April 1, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Drawing of outdoor dining setup.

NYC DOT / Outdoor Dining

In a piece for The Architect’s Newspaper, Moses Jeanfrancois outlines New York City’s new outdoor dining regulations, highlighting the pre-approved setups designed by firms WXY and SITU.

According to the article, “The four designs address different scenarios identified as commonplace in the setups for roadway cafes.” They range from a midblock design to a corner setup for high-traffic areas and a “floating park lane” that adjusts for bike lanes.

Each setup is designed to weigh at least 150 pounds per linear foot to protect users in case of car crashes. “Modeled after Yodock water-filled traffic barriers, most of the setups have bladders that allow for weight distribution allowing the shacks to be car-proof as well.”

It remains to be seen whether most restaurants will be able to afford the investment in the new structures, which, under new program guidelines, can only be installed between April and November.

Thursday, February 29, 2024 in The Architect's Newspaper

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