Today, there are more than 8,000 such sheds in New York City, most of which are built using 1980s technology. As part of Mayor Eric Adams’ Get Sheds Down initiative, the Department of Buildings invited two teams—PAU and Arup—to each develop three new standardized designs that would improve the pedestrian experience while ensuring safety during construction. write Dezeen.
The New York City Department of Buildings has selected six new designs for urban scaffolding. Visualization: PAU Baseline
Sidewalk sheds are designed to protect pedestrians from potential debris that may fall during facade renovations. The new designs, unlike current "tunnel" sheds, allow more light in and do not create a visual barrier.
“These design solutions are far superior to what we currently see on sidewalks. Combined with reforms in the field of facade inspection, they will free up space for millions of New Yorkers,” said department official Jimmy Oddo.
The two teams worked separately, creating three projects each. Pictured: PAU Speed Shed
PAU Studio proposed three design options:
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Speed Shed — lightweight and mobile design for short-term work or emergencies.
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Wide Baseline Shed — heavy, stable construction for large-scale projects in places with a large flow of people.
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Baseline Shed — a universal option that can be adapted for both light and heavy tasks.
The new structures will replace a system that has been in use since the 1980s. Pictured: Arup Air Shed
All options have sloping roofs with perforations, allowing more light to reach the sidewalk.
“This is an extremely important intervention in the urban fabric of New York City, where over 400 miles of (643 km - Ed. note) such structures,” said PAU founder Vishan Chakrabarti.
PAU and Arup have developed flexible systems for different needs. Pictured: Arup Flex Shed
Three solutions from Arup
Arup has also developed three options aimed at different needs:
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Rigid Shed — most similar to the current type, but with a perforated roof and bright connecting elements.
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Air Shed — a structure that does not stand on the ground at all: beams are attached to the facades, and working platforms are located high above the sidewalk.
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Flex Shed — lightweight construction with a transparent top, suitable for small and temporary work.
The designs could be implemented as early as 2026. Pictured is Arup Rigid Shed
The city plans to start implementing new structures from A recognition of colleagues in 2026, replacing outdated models with more modern, lightweight and aesthetic scaffolding.
See also:
Parthenon shown without scaffolding in Athens: for the first time in two decades