Attempts to make over the conventional sidewalk shed are pretty but costly. Will Hadid's High Line canopy catch on?
The NYC Department of Buildings issues thousands of permits annually for sidewalk sheds. These covered passages through construction zones often remain up for years. "While practical, construction shed design has remained unchanged for decades and sheds are, at best, unsightly, while taking up valuable public space and degrading the pedestrian experience," writes the New York Building Foundation.
Architect Zaha Hadid has reimagined the conventional shed for a condominium project adjacent to the High Line in NYC. Hers is a white and silver wrap, resembling "an oversize light reflector like those seen on the movie and photo shoots that also block sidewalks across the city," reports Matt. A.V. Chaban. It will remain installed for the duration of the construction project, likely several years.
Attempts to design more attractive—yet cost-prohibitive—sheds have not gained traction in the marketplace. Although 30 firms entered a recent Building Congress design competition, "many developers said that little will change unless the city, through mandates or incentives, gets involved," according to Chaban.
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research