NYC Department of Sanitation — Spring Street Salt Shed

Rising nearly 70 feet, the Spring Street Salt Shed houses 5,000 tons of de-icing salt used during winter storms. The Salt Shed’s crystalline, faceted planes enliven this highly visible structure, acting as a counterpoint to the diaphanous, scrim-like façade of M125 Garage adjacent. The cast-in-place concrete structure tapers toward the bottom—creating more pedestrian space beneath a dramatic overhang. The shed emerges from a moat of textured glass paving, further contributing to the enigmatic and iconic nature of this prominent corner. Architectural concrete was a natural material selection for the Salt Shed. The design of the Salt Shed had to reconcile several conflicting factors—a community resisting its realization; finding a form suitable for its important location; and efficiently storing salt for seasonal distribution. Fiercely opposed by the community it serves before construction, it is now a beloved landmark. The project exceeded the client’s expectations of “being the best building in the neighborhood,” and now serves as the backdrop for DSNY’s media communications events. The design team focus on an iterative design process followed by the precise execution of details—from the precise geometry of the crystalline shed to the unexpected twists in the security gates that spell out DSNY—was bolstered by women on the project team. The Concept design team included Gia Mainiero and Claire Weisz (WXY). During the Design Phase, Gia Mainiero and Daniella LaRocca were core to the design iteration as the shed’s form evolved. Gia remained with the project through the ribbon cutting, overseeing Construction Administration in a co-located field office. It is noteworthy that the project took place under female leadership at DSNY, including Assistant Commissioner Marie Jean-Louis, and Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. The Construction was led by a WBE General Contractor, Oliveira Contracting.