ABSTRACT
Throughout the last century, parking garages have been considered architectural afterthoughts. They were generally stereotyped as storage buildings and often took on the architectural form of monolithic utilitarian buildings. But in recent years, as owners and clients have come to rely more on transportation for a successful campus or development, the role and function of the parking garage has been redefined. As we view urban, suburban, and even rural development patterns, the storage of cars has evolved into a dominant land use. Designers should consider both infrastructural as well as aesthetic components to parking garage design to enhance to the overall experience of the communities the garage will serve. A successfully designed parking facility utilizes an architectural design process that combines aesthetics with the building’s functional requirements, and structural necessities. The focus of architectural design should be to develop an appropriate appearance for the building – one that achieves tasteful architectural expression, while maintaining maximum parking efficiency, constructability, and budget control.
