- October 15, 2024
Balancing form and function in an urban parking garage design is an architectural challenge. There is a scarcity of parking spaces, and traffic soars! People have to waste their time looking to park cars! So, what can one do? One thing that is clear is that most modern parking spaces are not efficient and lack structural organization. We need a parking solution that can be built under the budget allocated, must be located within the city, has an eco-friendly design, and is, lastly, accessible to the majority.
Challenges With Traditional Parking Garage Structure
- Limited Space: Cities tend to grow at an exponential scale, including no. of cars, and parking places are rare, making it a huge headache for pedestrians, business owners, drivers, and city authorities. Not only that, there is even less space for building residents, tenants, and employees to park their personal vehicles without compromising their vehicle’s security, other parking spaces, and other city functions.
- Traffic Congestion: As the number of cars seems to grow each year, there is insufficient space to park. This makes it difficult for urban planners to provide enough parking space to visitors and locals. For larger cities and metropolis, traffic is already a problem. Additionally, insufficient parking does not help either. Poorly designed parking lot increases traffic congestion as drivers have to circle block by block, looking for a spot.
- Environmental Impact: Parking issues are harder to find a spot, lead to fuel wastage, high emissions of CO2, and urban pollution. The traditional parking spot creates an urban heat island, where the surface absorbs & re-emits the sun’s heat. In case of flood, it provides easy grounds for stormwater runoff. It also increases the chances of accidents since drivers, in search of a spot, may drive recklessly or cut corners to find a place faster.
Note: There are some other issues, like maintenance cost, asphalt or concrete deterioration over time, and security concerns, as open parking lots are more susceptible to vandalism and theft.
Opportunities With Metal Parking Garage Building
- Innovative Technology: A metal parking garage structure can be built vertically, which maximizes the use of limited urban space. This allows more vehicles to be parked in a smaller area. One can use car lifts to stack one car over the other for residential use as well. Metal buildings are highly efficient in saving energy bills, lowering your land footprint, and creating a visual appeal as per taste or requirement.
- Sustainable Materials: A 100% galvanized steel parking space is highly durable and requires less maintenance compared to traditional materials. They are resistant to everyday wear & tear, external changing weather, pests, rust, and fire, and reduce long-term costs. What makes steel parking structures a smart choice is that they can be reused endless times without losing their strength or durability. Cleaning a metal car parking space is also easy. One just needs mild soap with warm water.
- Security & Environmental Benefits: Metal parking garage structures can be designed to provide better security features, controlled access, and a better surveillance system to protect vehicles from prying eyes. With metal, you can design green roofs, install solar panels, and create an efficient drainage system for rainwater harvesting. These reduce environmental impact and encourage sustainability.
Additionally, steel buildings are also multi-functional in design. One can renovate commercial garages for creative uses such as community centers, restrooms, retail space, or other purposes in the future. They can also be converted into government office buildings to serve people in the future.
Case Studies Of Urban Metal Parking Structure
Here are some of the successful parking garage designs in major cities:
Sinking Ship, Seattle: Built in 1961, this historic parking lot is designed like a sunken ship. The external façade of exposed concrete gives it a raw, industrial look.
City View Garage, Miami: Completed in 2015, this parking garage has a mesh of modular metal screen [perforated aluminum panels] that provide natural ventilation. It has gradient colors that create a shimmering effect.
Helix Garage, Lexington: Constructed in 1966, the building has layered stainless steel [perforated] panels that create a translucent effect. The design resembles a giant DNA helix that adds visual appeal during the day, and backlit LEDs make it alluring during the night.
Mission Bay Parking Structure, San Francisco: Completed in 2009, this 7-story parking building has north & east facades made using perforated aluminum panels with the pixelated image of California’s redwood forests.
Future Trends On Steel Parking Structures
- Automated Parking Systems: Real-time parking availability, with the help of sensors and camera detections, can help employees inform drivers about available space and avoid unnecessary hovering. A video detection system can help drivers plan the shortest route, saving time & fuel.
- Green Infrastructure: From being recyclable to energy efficient, a steel parking space can include a lot of modern amenities that will make parking garages more sustainable. One can include EV charging stations to promote the use of electric vehicles. Roofs and facades of a metal parking structure can be equipped with solar panels to generate renewable energy, reducing the structural carbon footprint.
Smart Technologies Integration
A metal parking garage building can easily be integrated with a smart detection system, such as the beginning of the aisle, parking rows, entrances, and exits. A driver can easily maneuver with updated information on available space. It will help drivers quickly decide if they should turn over or find another spot. One can add other features for commercial garages’ safety and protection, like proper signage, an alarm system, proper lights & vents, and an emergency response plan.
Innovative Designs For Urban Parking Challenges
Smart city plans have been around for a while, with sustainable efforts to create living and parking spaces that are accessible and affordable for people today and in the future. At Viking Metal Garages, we understand the importance of eco-friendly parking spaces with a low land footprint. You, too, can be a part of this smart home and garage revolution. Call (704)-741-1587 to book your steel parking structures today!
Alabama