Bronx Pro Bono Outdoor Dining
As part of the NYCxDESIGN Corps program, Rojas AP was contacted by the restaurant owner of the South of France to design two outdoor dining areas. In addition to complying with the city’s COVID-19 and dining regulations, Rojas AP was compelled by the owner to propose a space that offers its customers cross-ventilation during the summer that can also keep the heater-generated air during the winter. The owner wanted windows and doors that allowed the two structures to be locked from the outside and keep the restaurant’s belongings safe overnight. For cross-ventilation and natural light, Rojas AP proposed a custom-made window for each module, with sliding glass panels that can be removed during work hours. For better insulation, we proposed double-pane glass. Rojas AP also proposed UV-protected clear corrugated polycarbonate roofing for additional natural light. The challenge was to make this authentic Puerto Rican restaurant visually stand out from the adjacent restaurant. The result was a combination of terra-cotta painted plywood and off-white trims, with black and white Chevron shaped painted plywood flooring to resemble the historic colonial look and feel of Old San Juan.
LOCATION
BRONX, NY