Invnet architects of Coimbatore, India have designed an exceptional parking house that combines a parking level with green areas and street-level retail space – the result of an open competition!
Architectural firm was hired at a daily rate of $1,000 to create a scope of work statement, which outlines all requirements contractors will need to satisfy in their bid for this project.
Designing for the Pedestrian
One of the primary considerations in parking design is how it impacts pedestrians. To ensure safe access for pedestrians to and from each parking area or pick-up/drop-off point, site access arrangements must correspond with overall street traffic control schemes, while pedestrian traffic arrangements must ensure manageable movement into and out of parking areas while still offering quality service levels. Inva Architecture Firm in Coimbatore designed this in such manner.
Pedestrian movements within parking facilities are usually met with adequate lighting and open stairwells; however, some facilities also incorporate separate pedestrian pathways between their cars and circulation routes to certain points of destination for increased safety, more pleasant environments, increased capacity and decreased operating costs.
Creating a mixed use facility
Mixed use facilities offer various opportunities for the redevelopment of previously vacant land and buildings, providing space for retail, office space, housing units, and additional opportunities such as alternative transportation options and reduced traffic congestion. Such developments can revitalize urban areas while stimulating downtown economic activity by offering retail stores, offices, housing units, as well as pedestrian access.
Historically, mixed-use buildings have followed a horizontal development model in which commercial properties sit atop residential units. Larger cities typically place hospitality businesses such as hotels on the ground floor while apartments or condos reside above them – this type of development has grown increasingly popular over time.
As well as considering pedestrian safety concerns, mixed-use structures must consider the number and size of automobiles parked on site. To do this effectively, a parking plan that accounts for future trends in car size and statistical quantities is crucial; several companies have developed software to assist with this effort.
While designing a parking structure, it’s crucial to include water conservation and solar energy systems to lessen environmental impact and energy consumption. Furthermore, lighting controls should be integrated into the overall facility design in order to minimize energy use. Furthermore, it is crucial that designs include easily accessible stair and elevator cores – this will improve pedestrian safety as well as make walking through more pleasant.
Creating a more efficient facility
architects should keep both drivers and pedestrians in mind when designing a parking lot. Their layout should facilitate easier transportation between vehicles and facility entrances to help decrease traffic congestion, and provide spaces for heavy vehicles requiring special truck lanes equipped with pavement structures capable of supporting their weight.
Commercial parking facilities should feature two-way traffic lanes at least 24 feet wide in order to optimize space usage, in addition to sidewalks that are 12 feet wide and parking stalls that measure a minimum 9-feet by 19-feet; although the size may differ depending on what vehicle will be parking there – for instance smaller stalls might be suitable for motorcycle parking.
A good parking facility should be environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient, and to achieve these goals, designers should craft a parking plan using structural systems and materials with low maintenance costs; integrate solar and wind technology for energy needs; incorporate rain water management system to prevent flooding and erosion; design catch basins/inlets that drain standing water away from parking surface and use drainage slope of at least 2% for drainage slope.
