Zaha Hadid Reimagines the Sidewalk Shed

The NYC Department of Buildings issues thousands of permits annually for sidewalk sheds. These covered passages through construction zones often remain up for years. "While practical, construction shed design has remained unchanged for decades and sheds are, at best, unsightly, while taking up valuable public space and degrading the pedestrian experience," writes the New York Building Foundation.

Architect Zaha Hadid has reimagined the conventional shed for a condominium project adjacent to the High Line in NYC. Hers is a white and silver wrap, resembling "an oversize light reflector like those seen on the movie and photo shoots that also block sidewalks across the city," reports Matt. A.V. Chaban. It will remain installed for the duration of the construction project, likely several years.

Attempts to design more attractive—yet cost-prohibitive—sheds have not gained traction in the marketplace. Although 30 firms entered a recent Building Congress design competition, "many developers said that little will change unless the city, through mandates or incentives, gets involved," according to Chaban.