Bar Italia Elevated By Retractable Glass Wall System

Bar Italia Chooses Retractable Glass Wall Sysytem for Authenticity

The family that brought Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar in German Village has brought a refined taste of Italy to Easton Town Center with Bar Italia, a collaboration between Steiner + Associates and NCR Ventures, a restaurant group owned by Rick Doody. The new establishment aims to replicate the grandeur of Cipriani-style venues in NYC, London, or Paris. Rick Doody states, “We plan to use all authentic materials; Italian marble, beautiful walnut woods, modern Italian furniture and special artwork from Massimo Listri, a famous Florence photographer and artist.” The eatery features house-made Italian specialties in a bar-centric, white tablecloth Italian bistro atmosphere. Columbus Underground. To further enhance the timeless blend of Venetian elegance, the proprietors chose to integrate the Stoett Panora MAXI GUM D4 Retractable Glass Wall System, state-of-the-art vertically retracting glass walls that preserve visual continuity while elevating both design and dining experience.

Challenge: Balancing Authentic Ambiance with Seasonal Comfort

Overlooking Easton Town Center’s lively pedestrian walkways and the iconic Central Park fountain, Bar Italia demanded a design that upheld its open-air Italian charm while ensuring practical protection against unpredictable Midwestern weather…whether sudden rain, gusty winds, or crisp seasonal chill.

The restaurant’s positioning required a solution that would preserve full visual connectivity to the surrounding environment, maintaining the vibrant fusion of indoor and outdoor energy that guests cherish. At the same time, Bar Italia needed to uphold its premium aesthetic, relying on luxurious materials like Italian marble and supported by curated artwork. Any enclosure system had to harmonize with this high-end design without compromising the immersive Italian bistro feel.

Further, flexibility and operational ease were essential. The staff needed to be able to respond instantly to weather changes without disrupting service or ambiance. Traditional glazed walls and fixed canopies would block the view, feel heavy or enclosed, and would detract from the signature light-filled, spacious dining experience.

Similar hospitality venues, such as Superior’s Steakhouse in Louisiana, faced these same design requirements when integrating retractable glass wall system. They successfully balanced weatherproofing, panoramic views, seamless motorized operation, and aesthetic sophistication while expanding year-round seating and boosting guest satisfaction.

Bar Italia’s challenge lay in finding a multi-functional architectural intervention that respected its Italian-modern design integrity, accommodated Easton’s changing climate, allowed staff efficiency, and created a welcoming environment that felt both authentically Italian and generously open.

Solution: State‑of‑the‑Art Stoett Panora MAXI GUM D4 Doors

To achieve this balance, Bar Italia installed ten Stoett Panora MAXI GUM D4 vertical-retracting doors, each spanning up to 14 ft wide by 11 ft tall. These sophisticated units feature black anodized aluminum frames and low-E insulated glazing, delivering a thermal performance of U 0.28 W/m²K and Class 4/7A air, water, and wind resistance ratings, ideal for year-round comfort .

Motorized, chain-driven mechanisms (120–300 Nm, 220 VAC) allow each door to silently open or close in under a minute. Laminated safety glass contributes to durability and ease, enabling seamless indoor–outdoor flow while aligning with Bar Italia’s Italian-modern design vision.

Implementation & Guest Experience

Installed under Stoett supervision with local crews, the doors integrate cleanly into the restaurant’s architecture. When open, they allow clear sightlines to the fountain and lively walkways. When closed, they create a weather-protected dining space without disrupting aesthetic harmony.

As DCI, the project management firm noted,

[DCI] The standout feature of the system is its vertical operation, which allows the door panels to stack overhead rather than slide to the side. This not only preserves valuable floor space but also provides a clean, unobstructed opening that enhances the visual and physical connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Additionally, the sleek design and minimal framing contribute to a modern aesthetic that sets it apart from traditional door systems.

Impact: Enhanced Ambiance and Operational Flexibility

Aesthetic Integrity & Transparency
The full-width glass elevation preserves scenic views and integrates Easton’s urban buzz into the dining atmosphere.
Weather-responsive Adaptability
A rain or chill that might have once disrupted service now has an easy solution, allowing closing the doors swiftly and quietly.
Extended Dining Season & Upside Revenue
What would have been usable only in temperate months is now a consistent, year-round seating zone.