NEW YORK—Elected officials unveiled a new design for sidewalk sheds, or temporary structures that protect pedestrians during construction, at 100 Broadway on Wednesday.
Designer Young-Hwan Choi of the University of Pennsylvania won the urbanSHED International Design Competition, utilizing carbon fiber for its elasticity and strength and aiming to open up sidewalks to more light and air. Cross bracing will be eliminated through the new design, which also incorporates LED lighting.
“This structure will become a new symbol of New York as an Urban Umbrella,” states Choi’s design proposal, according to a city government document. Sidewalk sheds have not been updated in more than 60 years in New York City.
Architects, engineers, designers, and students submitted 164 designs from 28 countries for the competition.
“Great public design is an important part of every great city—especially New York,” said Mayor Bloomberg, according to a press release. Apart from the sleek design, the umbrella “will also improve public safety, storefront visibility, and the pedestrian experience.
Other competition finalists included KNEstudio in NYC and Xchange Architects in Mass.
