Nino’s Beach Mediterranean Restaurant, 43 Orchard Beach Blvd. Port Washington, NY 11050, is located on a geographically challenging site in the North Shore of Long Island, NY. The main structural system of the existing building was constructed directly above Manhasset Bay on a system of timber piers and decking that was recently restored by the owner of the marina.  

Humidity and high wind were taken into careful consideration when designing for the restaurant. With patron comfort being one of the essential objectives in the design, we designed a flooring system using a structural insulation panels system with splines to attach each panel for greater stability and resistance to tidal movement.  

The panels were comprised of marine-grade plywood, polyisocyanurate insulation and a low-emitting composite wood substrate flooring for enhanced moisture resistance.  This allowed us to achieve a uniformly level floor while meeting energy code and providing a comfortable walking surface that could receive the designed floor finishes.

High performance windows and exterior doors provide for minimal extrusions to meet the demands of the climate as well as maximize the views.  Custom folding glass doors were utilized to open the space to the south deck on fair weather days to allow patrons to enjoy unobstructed spectacular sunset views over the famed Manhasset Bay.  

To protect the drainage pipes below the deck from freezing, electrical heat trace was utilized.  Since the existing roof structure could not support the weight of the ventilation equipment required to provide energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; a system of elevated steel dunnage above the walk-in boxes were designed to support the mechanical equipment as well as to keep it elevated well above the flood plain.

These systems work in unison to resolve the challenges of the location while preserving the pristine views to the surrounding waterways.