Sidewalk sheds, also known as scaffolding, protect pedestrians from falling debris during construction and demolition. They are a ubiquitous feature of city life: at any given time, New York City has more than two million feet – nearly 400 miles – of sidewalk sheds concentrated in the densest and most congested areas of our city. Most existing sidewalk sheds adhere to a uniform, 1980s-era design consisting of a flat deck, a plywood parapet, steel columns, cross-bracing, railings, and electrical lighting. While inexpensive and code-compliant, these structures are widely seen as a nuisance to city residents.

DOB has selected six new shed designs for implementation, three from PAU and three from the esteemed engineers at ARUP. Working with LERA Consulting Structural Engineers, Tang Studio Architect, Langan, RWDI, Fisher Marantz Stone, and Dharam, PAU developed proposals to improve circulation, adaptability, and aesthetics while minimizing installation and maintenance disruption. A one-size-fits-all solution would not suffice for a diverse city with sidewalks that vary dramatically in width, building height, density, and use. However, to meet budget constraints, PAU’s designs do propose a standardized “kit of parts.”