NYC unveils the first look at the future of sidewalk sheds
Photos courtesy of Gabrielle Beaumont
Two of six prototype sidewalk sheds that forgo the traditional unsightly design have been installed outside the Department of Buildings headquarters in Lower Manhattan. Designed by Arup, the sheds provide additional space to improve circulation and increase light for visibility, while enhancing the streetscape with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The structures, on view in front of 280 Broadway for 30 days, are a first look at new shed designs, required by a law passed by the City Council last year.
“NYC is one step closer to brighter, more open sidewalks,” Seth Wolfe, a principal at Arup, said.
“The first public installation of our designs at the DOB is a tangible look at how these highly flexible sheds will improve the pedestrian experience and support safer, more accessible movement throughout the city.”
Unveiled in November, the six reimagined shed designs were created by Arup and Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) to replace the current 1980s-era design, which features a flat deck, plywood parapet, steel columns, cross-bracing, railings, and electrical lighting. While cost-effective and code-compliant, many New Yorkers view the structures as unsightly.
Arup was hired in 2024 to revamp the sheds, and alongside architect KNE studio, technical architect Reddymade, and contractor CORE Scaffolding, developed three modular designs. Their installation marks the first time New Yorkers will be able to see them in person.
The two sheds now on view are the “Flex Shed” and the “Rigid Shed,” both designed by Arup. Their modular designs improve circulation, increase light, and allow for adaptability to varying site conditions. Both prioritize the pedestrian experience, with small sidewalk footprints and minimal physical and visual obstruction.
The Flex Shed is a “light-duty” model designed for buildings undergoing maintenance or emergency repairs. It features adjustable roof heights and column placement, allowing it to be modified around unique building elements and street obstructions such as signs and bus shelters. It also includes a transparent deck to allow natural light through.
The Rigid Shed is a “heavy-duty” model intended for major projects such as renovations or new construction. Designed for structural strength, it features no cross-bracing and wider spacing between vertical supports, creating a more open streetscape.
PAU’s sheds, which will be unveiled at a later date, were developed with a team including LERA Consulting Structural Engineers, Tang Studio Architect, Fisher Marantz Stone, RWDI, Dharam Consulting, and Logan.
They include the “Speed Shed,” a light-duty model designed for rapid deployment and mobility; the “Baseline Shed,” a versatile design for both light- and heavy-duty setups; and the “Wide Baseline Shed,” intended for long-term projects on broader sidewalks along major corridors, with widely spaced columns.
“New Yorkers are tired of sidewalk sheds that darken our streets and take up precious public space,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. “While many of these sheds remain necessary to protect pedestrians during building maintenance, that doesn’t mean we should accept the status quo.”
“We’re working to reduce the number of sheds across the city and to make the ones that remain safer and brighter,” he added. “These sheds will bring more light, more air, and more room to move—helping us reclaim our sidewalks for the people who use them every day.”
Under Mamdani, the six new designs are being codified through the DOB’s rulemaking process, which will allow their use at construction sites and buildings with hazardous facades across the five boroughs. Their design specifications will be included in the rules, making them open source and publicly accessible. They are expected to be finalized later this year.
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