New Sidewalk Shed Designs

DOB announced six (6) new sidewalk shed designs that are intended to improve the aesthetics of construction sites without sacrificing safety of the public and property. Although there is a much longer process for legislative approvals, DOB is confident that these new designs will be in use in the future. The goal is to eliminate obstructions on sidewalks, make sheds less intrusive for the pedestrian experience, bring in more light, and remain compliant with the Code. The designs were presented by ARUP and PAU, both respected architectural firms by their peers and the construction industry.

DOB has also engaged a world-renowned engineering firm, Thorton Tomassetti, to study and make recommendations for revisions to the Local Law 11 façade repair program. Some of the recommendations would potentially allow façade cycles to extend to inspections every six-years as opposed to the current 5 years, some newer “safe” buildings to be reviewed every three (3) years, but physically inspected every twelve (12) years after the initial cycle, the use of drones, maintain requirements for any “unsafe” building, and other recommendations.

We applaud DOB for partnering with the private sector and thinking outside-of-the-box!

Design #1 “The Speed Shed” – Designed by PAU

Potential Use Case: A light duty shed that it is quick to deploy and quick to move. Good for short-term projects and emergency repairs. The design features an angled roof with netting, allowing natural light on to the sidewalk.

an high definition illustration of street, and people are walking across it.

Design #2 “The Rigid Shed” – Designed by Arup

Potential Use Case: A heavy duty shed for major projects, like tower crane operations and high-rise construction. The design features a small footprint on the sidewalk and minimal obstruction for pedestrians.

a baige building with scaffold sidewalk, two people biking under it.

Design #3 “The Baseline Shed” – Designed by PAU

Potential Use Case: A versatile shed that comes in both heavy and light duty variants, adaptable to building and sidewalk dimensions on a wide variety of projects. The design features an angled transparent roof, allowing light to shine on the sidewalk.

a street view of a row of yellowish building.

Design #4 “The Air Shed” – Designed by Arup

Potential Use Case: A light duty shed that is completely lifted off the ground and anchored into the building for façade repair and window replacement projects. The cantilevered design is reminiscent of a balcony, with virtually no impact on pedestrians below.

Design #5 “The Wide Baseline Shed” – Designed by PAU

Potential Use Case: A heavy duty shed for major projects perfectly suited for wide sidewalks on major thoroughfares. The design features heavy duty columns spaced far apart to minimize obstructions on the sidewalk.

a luxury building with glass scaffold on its sidewalk, while cars moving on road.

Design #6 “The Flex Shed” – Designed by Arup

Potential Use Case: A light duty shed good for maintenance work and emergency repairs. With easily adjusted roof heights and column placement, the design features a small footprint on the sidewalk that can be modified to work around unique building elements, as well as sidewalk obstructions like street signs and bus stop shelters.