Columbia University has added some color to the construction of its new Manhatthanville campus. Columbia became the first Construction for Livable City participant to enroll in the Department of Buildings urbancanvas program, an innovative DOB-led effort to create printed artwork for temporary protective structures at construction sites to beautify New York City's streetscape and promote maintenance of these structures.
Columbia University is the first CLC participant to use the City's urbancanvas program
Users of urbancanvas can display logos typically not allowed on construction sheds
Columbia’s urbancanvas display faces Broadway near 125th Street. The façade adjoins an elevated train station and a large apartment complex, a high-traffic area visible to commuters and residents. The urbancanvas is intended to improve upon the standard shed design, generally plywood painted in blue or green.
A key benefit of urbancanvas allows sponsors to display logos on sheds and fences, which is otherwise not permitted under the City’s Building Code. In addition to Columbia’s own logo, the school added the CLC logo to tout its participation in the Building Foundation program.
urbancanvas adds color and character to the construction site
urbancanvas improves the visual character of the worksite for its neighbors
Construction for a Livable City is an industry-led effort to encourage building owners and contractors to adopt a checklist of common sense practices to improve the quality of life in areas impacted by construction. Columbia’s participation in the Construction for Livable City program highlights the University’s commitment to its environmentally sensitive, clean construction practices during the development of the Manhattanville campus expansion.
“We are pleased to see Columbia’s commitment to the spirit – and not just the letter – of the Construction for a Livable City checklist,” said Frank J. Sciame, Chairman of the New York Building Foundation. “Improving the appearance of construction sites can be a cost effective way to lessen the impact of construction on a neighborhood. We thank Columbia University for taking this step.”
A view of the first phase of Columbia University's Manhattanville campus
For more information on Construction for a Livable City or to participate, visit the New York Building Foundation website or call (212) 481-9230.
