Evaluation Criteria
urbanSHED competitors must re-think the current sidewalk shed - while meeting or surpassing today’s safety, sustainability and viability requirements.
urbanSHED designs must comply with all applicable laws, including Chapter 33 of the New York City Building Code. In addition, the winning design will be a clear, inventive and compelling shed concept that satisfies the needs outlined below for a contemporary sidewalk shed design.
OVERALL DESIGN EXCELLENCE
The winning urbanSHED design will:
- Be a positive, contemporary addition to New York City's urban landscape;
- Improve the pedestrian experience;
- Increase light and air to the sidewalk;
- Complement different streetscapes - residential, retail, industrial and commercial settings;
- Control or guide pedestrian traffic;
- Enable easy access to entrances;
- Improve structural connections;
- Improve details of fastening and features of supporting elements; and
- Provide elegant, energy efficient sidewalk lighting.
SAFETY
- The urbanSHED must meet multiple safety needs, including:
- Adequate illumination;
- Stable construction;
- Weather-proof and stable through extreme wind and rain;
- Impact-resistant; and
- Vandalism-resistant.
SUSTAINABLITY
The urbanSHED must support New York's goal of becoming a more sustainable city, as outlined in Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's PlaNYC. This includes:
- Utilizing green materials;
- Minimizing energy usage;
- Maximizing daylight;
- Protecting existing trees and foliage; and
- Incorporating proper rainwater drainage.
Competitors are encouraged to contemplate the transition from the existing shed inventory to the winning urbanSHED design.
CONSTRUCTABILITY
urbanSHED's form and function are equally important; a beautiful but impractical design will not serve New York City's needs. The winning design must be:
- Economical;
- Viable in terms of production, maintenance and storage;
- Easily and quickly assembled and disassembled; and
- Adaptable to multiple construction site uses.