Form + Function: Outdoor Dining
The permanent outdoor dining patio at dLeña extends the restaurant’s natural, rustic character into the Washington, D.C., streetscape. Designed by PETERMAX Co., the glass-and-metal enclosure accommodates approximately 40 to 50 guests while providing greater protection from seasonal weather and maintaining a visual connection to the city.
Restaurant Development + Design examines how outdoor dining has evolved from a temporary response to the pandemic into a lasting and increasingly important part of restaurant design. The article consults designers from across the country about planning, climate, enclosure systems, heating, materials, furniture and the challenge of creating exterior spaces that feel integral to the restaurant.
Peter Max Bowden, principal of PETERMAX Co., discusses the evolution of dLeña’s outdoor dining area in Washington, D.C. The restaurant’s owners originally anticipated placing only a few tables beside the building. Strong guest demand led them to pursue a permanent glass-and-metal structure along the unusually broad sidewalk, expanding the patio to approximately 40 to 50 seats.
Bowden also addresses the practical and aesthetic decisions behind successful outdoor spaces. He explains that dLeña’s enclosure provides greater comfort during colder weather, with ceiling-mounted electric heaters positioned at different angles to distribute heat. His broader design approach is to carry as much of the interior concept outdoors as possible, preserving a cohesive guest experience rather than treating the patio as an afterthought.
At dLeña, that approach translated into natural, rustic earth tones, durable furnishings and abundant planting that works with the existing stone paving and city-owned planters. Bowden also discusses the performance and maintenance considerations associated with teak, composite wood, metal and faux rattan—choices that must balance appearance, durability and daily restaurant operations.
Select any page to enlarge.