The winners of the Construction Shed Design Competition have been announced. The contest was held by the New York Building Congress to create innovative and attractive alternatives to the drab sidewalk sheds, the temporary corridors erected during construction that shield pedestrians from debris. An estimated 200 miles of sidewalk sheds cover the five boroughs.
Of the 33 entrants, four winners were named: Side+Ways+Shed by Francis Cauffman; SCAFFOLDWING by Gannett Fleming Engineers and Architects; G-Shed by Gensler; and UrbanArbor by PBDW Architects and Anastos Engineering Associates.
Winning entries are simple to build, use readily-available materials, create a more efficient pedestrian walk flow, and are designed to be light and open. The sheds also meet New York City Department of Buildings requirements and can be used for construction in central business districts, residential, and commercial projects, as well as masonry repair work.
The sheds “best exemplified the goals of the competition of offering practical, cost-effective, off-the-shelf designs that are far more attractive than standard sheds,” said Frank J. Sciame, competition committee chairman and CEO of Sciame Construction, in a statement.
The four winners will share $10,000 awarded by the New York Building Foundation.
Side+Ways+Shed by Francis Cauffman. The structure has LED lights powered by PV panels. Structural columns are wrapped in fabric. Rendering: Francis Cauffman
SCAFFOLDWING by Gannett Fleming Engineers and Architects. The scaffold’s wing stretches out across the sidewalk, which directs sunlight to the street level and drains rainwater. The roof is made of translucent polycarbonate panels, which are light and airy. Rendering: Gannett Fleming Engineers and Architects
G-Shed by Gensler. The design has modular posts and reduced obstructions. Lighting can be integrated and retail signs can be affixed to it. Rendering: Gensler
UrbanArbor by PBDW Architects and Anastos Engineering Associates. The Y-shaped vertical posts and diagonal braces look like trees. LED lights and solar panels are also installed. Rendering: PBDW Architects and Anastos Engineering Associates
Related Stories
| Feb 14, 2014
The Technology Report 2014: Top tech tools and trends for AEC professionals
In this special five-part report, Building Design+Construction explores how Building Teams throughout the world are utilizing advanced robotics, 3D printers, drones, data-driven design, and breakthroughs in building information modeling to gain efficiencies and create better buildings.
| Feb 14, 2014
Crowdsourced Placemaking: How people will help shape architecture
The rise of mobile devices and social media, coupled with the use of advanced survey tools and interactive mapping apps, has created a powerful conduit through which Building Teams can capture real-time data on the public. For the first time, the masses can have a real say in how the built environment around them is formed—that is, if Building Teams are willing to listen.
| Feb 13, 2014
University officials sound off on net zero energy buildings
As part of its ongoing ZNE buildings research project, Sasaki Associates, in collaboration with Buro Happold, surveyed some 500 campus designers and representatives on the top challenges and opportunities for achieving net-zero energy performance on university and college campuses.
| Feb 13, 2014
3 keys to designing freestanding emergency departments
Having physically disassociated from a central hospital, FEDs must overcome the particular challenges associated with a satellite location, namely a lack of awareness, appeal, and credibility. Gresham, Smith & Partners' Kristin Herman-Druc offers three keys to success.
| Feb 13, 2014
Why you should start with a builder
They say the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Expanding your building or constructing a new structure for your business, church, or school isn’t all that different. Attacking it is best done in small, deliberate pieces.
| Feb 13, 2014
Related Companies, LargaVista partner to develop mixed-use tower in SoHo
The site is located at the gateway to the booming SoHo retail market, where Class A office space is scarce yet highly in demand.
| Feb 12, 2014
First Look: Futuristic Silicon Valley campus designed to draw tech startups
The curved campus will consist of four different buildings, one exclusively for amenities like a coffee bar, bike shop, and bank.
| Feb 12, 2014
IIT's College of Architecture launches the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize
Awarded biennially with a $50,000 prize, the program will recognize the most distinguished architectural works built on the North and South American continents in the preceding two years.
| Feb 11, 2014
Adobe Photoshop update features new 3D printing capabilities
Available as part of an update to Photoshop Creative Cloud, the tool enables users to easily and reliably build, refine, preview, prepare, and print 3D designs.
| Feb 10, 2014
Proposed parking garage will sandwich vehicles between housing and retail space
Architecture firm Brisac Gonzalez says that the design "will introduce different activities after parking hours."
