This image was lost some time after publication.

New York's scaffolds are about to get a makeover. Yes, those "sidewalk sheds" that you try to avoid walking under in case one of them collapses on your head when you least expect it (left!), may soon be a thing of the past.

It seems the city held a design competition "to create a new standard of sidewalk shed," and a total of 164 submissions were sent in. The winning entry: "Urban Umbrella," which a 28-year-old student at the University of Pennsylvania came up with and which, city officials suggested today, will be "great for pedestrians because there's more space to walk, run or shop than ever before."

Also? As you can see below, you'll soon be able to enjoy a sub-scaffold meal while construction workers overhead do demolition work, and you won't have to worry about pieces of concrete raining down on your plate of pasta.

This image was lost some time after publication.

MAYOR BLOOMBERG, BUILDINGS COMMISSIONER LIMANDRI UNVEIL NEW DESIGN FOR SIDEWALK SHEDS [NYC.gov]
A Scaffold That People May Want to Walk Under [City Room]
(Photo via Flickr)