NYC Open Restaurants Innovation: Call for Ideas Due Jan. 31

On behalf of Design Advocates, we are pleased to announce Open Restaurants Innovation, a call for submissions from designers, restaurateurs, and anyone who wants to see the NYC Open Restaurants program, which allows restaurants to use the sidewalk adjacent and curbside roadway space in front of their businesses for outdoor dining,  continue and improve.  Entrants are invited to submit examples and ideas for outdoor dining in New York City (built or un-built) that highlight innovative designs, materials, or methodologies that can inform design policy for the city’s program.

Through a series of workshops, several case studies will be selected to culminate in a public share-out at the AIA NY’s Center for Architecture in March. These discussions may inform a recommendation report produced by Alfresco NYC, part of the city’s public engagement plan for Open Restaurants, which will ultimately influence the draft of official design guidelines for the program. This is a unique opportunity for the design and restaurant community to influence the shape and extent of those permanent guidelines.

The entry deadline is January 31, 2022, quickly approaching in order to align with New York City’s rules-making process ending in March. To enter and find out more, please head to: https://www.aiany.org/architecture/competitions-grants/open-restaurants-innovation/

Open Restaurants Innovation workshops are produced by AIA New York in collaboration with Alfresco NYC coalitionNYCxDESIGN’s Design CorpsDesign Advocates, and several NYC agencies.

Header Image Credits: Architect: Studio Weave/ Photography: Studio Weave/ Client: London College of Fashion