THE 'EXTENDABLE' SHED

The concept behind the Culture Shed arose from the understanding that so many of New York's cultural groups did not have the real estate to house large audiences, nor have the means to expand any exiting venues. Consequently, the city is prone to missing out on travelling shows due to lack of available exhibition space. To remedy this, the Culture Shed will be a Kunsthalle, a cultural venue without permanent exhibits. Instead, it will provide a home for temporary shows, fairs and concerts, such as New York's annual Fashion Week, which currently takes place in pop-up tents.

Planned to be constructed at the foot of a residential skyscraper also designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfroand Rockwell Group, the new venue will provide three flexible galleries crowned by an open rooftop area equipped with a café and additional exhibition space.

What really sets this project apart however, is the lofty 140-foot (43m) retractable canopy that straddles it. If needed, this glass giant can trundle out on tracks and enclose a portion of the plaza in front of the building, creating a temporary hall that could play host to food-fairs, concerts and various other public events. When not required, the canopy politely tucks itself back over the building and returns the plaza to the public.

With a hopeful date of 2017 set for completion, the fate of the project is tethered closely to fundraising efforts and the success of the Hudson Yard Development Project. If successful, developers hope The Shed will give Hudson Yard the cultural kudos needed to be a legitimate player in New York.

Watch in the video as The Shed grows out of its partnering residential skyscraper, also designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Rockwell Group, and transforms to serve various program types.

Shed Fly Through Animation from The Shed on Vimeo.