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
Multifamily Housing | May 1, 2023
A prefab multifamily housing project will deliver 200 new apartments near downtown Denver
In Denver, Mortenson, a Colorado-based builder, developer, and engineering services provider, along with joint venture partner Pinnacle Partners, has broken ground on Revival on Platte, a multifamily housing project. The 234,156-sf development will feature 200 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments on eight floors, with two levels of parking.
Mass Timber | May 1, 2023
SOM designs mass timber climate solutions center on Governors Island, anchored by Stony Brook University
Governors Island in New York Harbor will be home to a new climate-solutions center called The New York Climate Exchange. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), The Exchange will develop and deploy solutions to the global climate crisis while also acting as a regional hub for the green economy. New York’s Stony Brook University will serve as the center’s anchor institution.
Market Data | May 1, 2023
AEC firm proposal activity rebounds in the first quarter of 2023: PSMJ report
Proposal activity for architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) firms increased significantly in the 1st Quarter of 2023, according to PSMJ’s Quarterly Market Forecast (QMF) survey. The predictive measure of the industry’s health rebounded to a net plus/minus index (NPMI) of 32.8 in the first three months of the year.
Sustainability | May 1, 2023
Increased focus on sustainability is good for business and attracting employees
A recent study, 2023 State of Design & Make by software developer Autodesk, contains some interesting takeaways for the design and construction industry. Respondents to a survey of industry leaders from the architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, and entertainment spheres strongly support the idea that improving their organization’s sustainability practices is good for business.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2023
Hurricane Ian aftermath expected to prompt building code reform in Florida
Hurricane Ian struck the Southwest Florida coastline last fall with winds exceeding 150 mph, flooding cities, and devastating structures across the state. A construction risk management expert believes the projected economic damage, as high as $75 billion, will prompt the state to beef up building codes and reform land use rules.
| Apr 28, 2023
$1 billion mixed-use multifamily development will add 1,200 units to South Florida market
A giant $1 billion residential project, The District in Davie, will bring 1.6 million sf of new Class A residential apartments to the hot South Florida market. Located near Ft. Lauderdale and greater Miami, the development will include 36,000 sf of restaurants and retail space. The development will also provide 1.1 million sf of access controlled onsite parking with 2,650 parking spaces.
Architects | Apr 27, 2023
Blind Ambition: Insights from a blind architect on universal design
Blind architect Chris Downey shares his message to designers that universal design goes much further than simply meeting a code to make everything accessible.
Design Innovation Report | Apr 27, 2023
BD+C's 2023 Design Innovation Report
Building Design+Construction’s Design Innovation Report presents projects, spaces, and initiatives—and the AEC professionals behind them—that push the boundaries of building design. This year, we feature four novel projects and one building science innovation.
Mixed-Use | Apr 27, 2023
New Jersey turns a brownfield site into Steel Tech, a 3.3-acre mixed-use development
In Jersey City, N.J., a 3.3-acre redevelopment project called Steel Tech will turn a brownfield site into a mixed-use residential high-rise building, a community center, two public plazas, and a business incubator facility. Steel Tech received site plan approval in recent weeks.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 27, 2023
Watch: Specifying materials in multifamily housing projects
A trio of multifamily housing experts discusses trends in materials in their latest developments. Topics include the need to balance aesthetics and durability, the advantages of textured materials, and the benefits of biophilia.