Modern urbanism starts with parking

I have been fascinated that no one ever hires a starchitect to design a parking garage as it is obvious that modern urbanism starts with parking:

"One of the stars of the downtown regeneration is, of all things, the New Street Parking Garage. The design for the garage, by Staunton-based Frazier Associates, came out of an inclusive team approach: the designers worked closely with government officials and local citizens (in a city known for its resistance to change) through an intensive public design process.

The result is a new landmark building at the entrance to downtown Staunton. In the past, architects designed beautiful buildings for visitors to arrive in, says design lead Kathy Frazier, AIA. Somehow that didn't get translated to parking garages, and people grew accustomed to parking in these ugly utilitarian buildings. The question we asked ourselves is "Why can't we make a parking garage beautiful and celebrate the arrival sequence like we used to with train stations?"

Indeed, why not?

Comments

[Jarrett]

"Why can't we make a parking garage beautiful and celebrate the arrival sequence like we used to with train stations?"

Because rows of cars are intrinsically ugly, and the process of navigating another car among them while looking for a space is intrinsically stressful?

Thanks for the link! I will look up the book, and plan to poke around here more.

Peace, Jarrett

[Robert Atkins]

When a Compact Automated Parking Garage system is used it is possible to create a beautiful building to enclose it and also to provide a pleasant street facade at pedestrian level with storefronts.
Other benefits include:-
1.Every space handicapped accessible
2.Requires only half the footprint to accomodate the same number of vehicles
3.Reduced emissions as no engines run inside the garage.
4.No vehicle theft
5.No breaking into parked vehicles
6.Less energy consumed - no interior lighting required
7.All vehicles under cover - no exposed roof top parking
8.Cheaper to build and maintain
9.Structure and equipment is 100% reusable
.......the list goes on!
Check out the web site. www.apexskypark.com

Robert Atkins FRICS., PQS.

[Pat]

...Better garage lighting and save energy at the same time.

I am a product developer and recently made this LED garage light product for a client. Now I am polling for response to its acceptance. Seems to me the whiter light, longer life and the lower energy consumption makes it a no-brainer.

Any comments anyone?

Pat