d Neighbor


top of stair and elevator towers. The roofs of corner stair towers, in particu- lar, can provide space for green roofs because that space is generally too small to accommodate parked vehicles or other uses. The roofs of parking structures


can also offer the perfect location for the inclusion of solar photovoltaic arrays, which provide shade and can also produce renewable energy that can be used to help power the parking structure on which they are located. (One recently developed facility in Traverse City, MI, utilizes rooftop solar panels to provide electricity to power its operations, as well as elec- tric charging stations located within the structure.) Another increasingly common


green architectural flourish is the “green screen – a large panel, typically constructed of steel, on which vegeta- tion can climb. When the vegetation matures, it provides an attractive living presentation that reflects the overall sustainability of the structure. It’s not functional, but the green screen can be an important part of the architectural vernacular, and make a bold statement about the parking structure’s contribu- tion to environmental responsibility. Finally, landscaping can also


play an important role in ensuring that a parking structure is both attrac- tive and green. For example, the inclusion of large canopy trees to pro- vide maximum shade creates a more pleasant environment around the structure while helping to reduce “heat island” effect. The landscaping surrounding garages can also include rain gardens, which feature specially engineered soils and plants that collect rainwater runoff.


21st Century Design The architecture that is used in the


development of new parking struc- tures is light-years ahead of traditional parking design. Today’s facilities are more beautiful than ever, standing out as community landmarks and promot- ing sustainability. And because of technological


advances in materials and improved design approaches, creating more


JANUARY 2011 • PARKING TODAY • www.parkingtoday.com 25


beautiful and sustainable parking doesn’t have to be unnecessarily expensive. In fact, implementing these design approaches can


often actually reduce development and operational costs. Ultimately, it is oftenmore cost-effec-


tive to develop attractive and sustainable parking structures than to utilize the approaches of the past.


Rick Kinnell is Vice President of Rich and Associates, a parking design and planning firm based in Southfield, Michigan. He can be reached at rkinnell@richassoc.com.


PT


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