For the first time since the 1950s, the city's ubiquitous sidewalk sheds are going to get a makeover. The new scaffolding design — selected after an international contest — is intended to "improve quality of life, reduce construction impacts on businesses, increase pedestrian safety and increase available space for pedestrians on sidewalks," according to the Mayor's Office. The so-called "The Urban Umbrella" will "complement the city's architectural beauty rather than take it away from it," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Sidewalk sheds are a part of New York life, reflecting the face of a city that is constantly changing — yet the sheds themselves haven't evolved at all during the past four decades and its time to bring them into the 21st century."
University of Pennsylvania student Young-Hwan Choi was awarded $10,000 for coming up with the winning design, which incorporates arch-like frames according to the Real Deal. He developed the idea with a team consisting of engineer Sarrah Khan and architect Andres Cortés, both of the Agencie Group. A prototype will soon be installed at a Lower Manhattan construction site. "The Urban Umbrella" is expected to cost about the same amount as other sidewalk sheds, though long-term maintenance and installation costs are expected to be lower, according to the release. Building owners won't be required to use new sidewalk shed, though the city expects contractors to adopt it to "reduce maintenance costs" and because it obstructs less of a building's facade — potentially helping businesses located beneath scaffolding.
