University of Pennsylvania Student Wins Design Competition for New York City Sidewalk Sheds

Jan. 25, 2010
PHILADELPHIA –- A University of Pennsylvania student’s design will change the look of New York City’s ubiquitous sidewalk canopies that protect pedestrians walking alongside buildings under construction.

Penn School of Design student Young-Hwan Choi won this year's American Institute of Architects urbanSHED International Design Competition for his “Urban Umbrella.” Working with a team of professionals including architect Andres Cortes and engineer Sarrah Khan, Choi produced a design that creates an elegant translucent canopy to protect pedestrians without obstructing the view of storefronts.

"Young’s inspiring design shows how an element of everyday urban life can improve our experience of the city and our use of its public sidewalks," Marilyn Jordan Taylor, School of Design dean, said. “Design can indeed make a difference."
The “Urban Umbrella” design allows more light to shine through the canopies and allows more space for pedestrians to walk on sidewalks than the current design. It’s the first time the sheds have been redesigned in more than 50 years.

Choi received $10,000, and a full-scale prototype of his design will be constructed at a site in Lower Manhattan.
Choi’s winning design was selected from 164 designs submitted by architects, engineers, designers and students from 28 countries.