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Essentials In Parking Garage Design

By Rachael Gutierrez


The modern day parking garage design has evolved greatly from what was used a couple of decades ago. New ways of construction and organization have been brought about due to a number of factors. Perhaps the most important of these driving factors is limitation in construction space. Traditionally parking has often been done in open space in the middle of a commercial center or private property.

Due to the challenge of land scarcity, a number of trends have emerged. Most designs are now created in a manner that seeks to utilize the little space available. At the same time, they are created for both capacity and efficiency. Clients looking for the designs are driven by the desire for low maintenance costs and higher returns.

The other driving factor that has led to the development of new designs is the change in the choice of materials used. The cost of construction materials for the garages has continued to rise by the day. This has been a major challenge for most designers with a good number of them opting for cheaper ones. Striking a balance between cost and functionality has not been an easy task.

The on-going campaign against global warming and climate change continues to shape the industry as well. Authorities that regulate car park construction in many places have created laws that prohibit the use of materials thought to degrade the environment. This, amongst other regulations, has limited the available options for the designer. Lots of planning and research are now required before the creation of these facilities.

Asphalt and concrete are some of the materials that are said to be environmental friendly. While both are good reflectors of sunlight, concrete appears to have an edge over asphalt in terms of drainage capabilities. It is therefore the material of choice in areas that receive heavy rainfall. Materials may also be selected depending on how well they blend with the surrounding environment.

The above challenges have given rise to some of the most efficient designs ever seen. For instance one of the most modern systems requires that drivers pack their vehicles at 90 degrees to each other. By so doing, they not only increase the efficiency, but also greatly utilize the available space. This system has a two-way drive that makes it easy for the motorists to enter and to leave.

The number of cyclists and pedestrians has increased. The reasons for this are mainly two fold; the increase in vehicle traffic and the increase in campaigns against global warming. The designer needs to have this in mind as they create the garage. Mechanisms should be put in place to allow the motorists, pedestrians and cyclist to pass through the parking easily.

One of the greatest advancements in modern parking garage design is the addition of robotic parking systems. These systems have made it possible to adopt designs that maximize on limited space without compromising on the efficiency. Although they may be a bit costly to set up in the beginning, the returns are very attractive.




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