However, the outdoor dining program introduced new regulations that caused confusion and safety risks for restaurateurs. Many businesses – especially in neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic –struggled to pay for creating outdoor spaces. A group of government, non-profit, and design professionals created the Design Corps to help. Connecting through the platform, some restaurants came to the Design Corps asking for soup-to-nuts assistance, while others had specific needs such as cost-effective heating elements.

Typically, the design professionals assisted by translating the technical components of the requirements and helped navigate projects through different regulatory agencies. The cost savings for restaurants varied from $1,000-$20,000, depending on the scope and needs of the restaurant. Many design volunteers went above and beyond the service offering, and connected restaurant owners to the designers’ own networks for discounted materials and labor. The Design Corps is a testament of what can happen when you bring the design community together.

By providing a platform, architects gave their time, expertise, and creativity to help local businesses that were struggling to survive. With a growing membership, the Design Corps continues to work with restaurants citywide, providing quality design and excellence to our city’s streets and working to bring our city back to life.