Don’t you feel irritated at not finding a proper space to park your vehicle at any given time? The inadequacy of parking facilities can not only mess up an individual’s day-to-day activity but also disrupt the decorum of society. With the increasing number of vehicles, the necessity to park them nearby has become a challenge. This is where urban designers and planners can step in to help us by building ample types of parking spaces.
Urban designers tend to consider parking in the initial design stage because it ensures proper building functionality and the comfort of users.
However, the extent of the parking design is more advanced than your driveway at home. For this reason, designers focus on several parameters while designing a parking facility. The design options are plenty, and not all are applicable everywhere.
So, how many types of parking are available in architecture? And how are they different from each other? Join us to embark on our journey to know more about those types of parking.
Types Of Parking Designs
An appropriate parking solution depends on factors like:
- Type of building project
- Site planning and dimensions
- Land value
- Vehicle types
Based on that, designers have introduced several types of parking.
9 Types of Distinct Types of Parking
1. Underground Parking
​​​​​Underground parking is constructed entirely below ground as a basement or concealed space. It allows more active land usage by freeing space and hiding vehicles from the streetscape. That is why these types of parking are suitable for medium to high-density sites with high land value.
2. Semi-basement Parking
Semi-basement parking is built partially below ground level, either as a semi-basement or a partially concealed space. Unlike underground parking, it demands less excavation, waterproofing, and substructure. It also helps in dealing with various site-related issues, like higher water-table.
Since these types of parking is partially above street level, it grants residential and office buildings much-needed privacy. That said, commercial or retail buildings must look for solutions to solve accessibility issues. That’s why designers incorporate grilles/landscaping into the facade where the basement appears above ground level.
3. Undercroft Parking
These types of parking utilize the space below any building that stands on a site with inclined topography. Designers tend to conceal semi-open undercroft parking below ground level without even excavating. However, they do not place it directly beside any busy public area. Instead, they enhance the adjacent spaces with pedestrian walkways or landscaping.
4. Ground Floor Parking
As the name suggests, ​​​​​​​​​​these types of parking are situated at the ground level of any building.​
Ground floor parking is simple and cost-effective because it eliminates the construction and maintenance of expensive underground structures.
That said, ground-level parking can lead to dull and vehicle-dominant facades. Therefore, designers introduce active interfaces like retail or apartments facing the streets. Otherwise, it becomes unsuitable in busy urban areas.
5. Surface Floor Parking
These types of parking are built across an open area without using any enclosed structure on the ground level. It is preferred in suburban areas as it does not disturb the integrity of nature with the built environment.
Surface floor parking is more economical than underground or semi-basement parking because it provides comparatively larger spaces. Designers also introduce landscaping, shading, or pedestrian walkways to enhance the visual appearance and break the dominance of serially parked vehicles.
6. Above-Ground Parking
These types of parking are built above the ground level on an elevated platform. It can be one-storeyed or over multiple floors, but with no involvement at the ground level. Above-ground parking is more convenient and economical because underground parking is not applicable everywhere.
Since above-ground parking allows an active ground-level confluence, the consideration of the facade becomes crucial. That’s why designers avoid blank street-facing frontages while balancing sufficient ventilation and privacy in the parking area.​
7. Multi-storey Parking
Multi-storeyed parking facilities are structures that allow parking at more than one level. Unlike above-ground parking, these types of parking are located in an enormous building meant only for parking.
Designers never place these types of parking beside areas with high pedestrian traffic to hamper visual disharmony. Instead, they carefully place the entry or exit points or layer the ground floor with active retail spaces to avoid inactivity.
8. Multi-storey Sleeved Parking
These types of parking are also built in an enormous buildings with multiple levels meant for parking. However, the building is enhanced with office, retail, or residential units on its external facade.
The concept of sleeved parking is to conceal the parking and make the exterior facade highly functional. These structures occupy large areas to accommodate aisles, ramps, and parking bays but leave behind huge vacant spaces. Designers utilize these unused sections along with the external perimeter of the building to implement a habitable space.
9. Mechanized Parking
As the name suggests, mechanized parking uses automation technology to park vehicles more efficiently. It involves several maintenance schemes run by a corporate body to ensure proper monitoring and functionality.
Mechanized parking is of two types:
- Stacking: This technique involves stacking one car above the other by the users themselves. The stacking units expand the parking capacity by creating an extra space above a regular parking space.
- Automated: This technique involves an automated system to receive and store the vehicle in a rack after it gets deposited. It considerably reduces the area required for accessing and maneuvering vehicles.
Conclusion
As the land in urban and metropolitan areas is becoming scarce and pricey, the spaces required for conventional parking are reducing every day. That’s why you must have adequate knowledge of various types of parking spaces and their benefits.
The types of parking mentioned above can help you understand the mixed-use facilities better.
Also Read;
Smart Architecture: Integrating Technology And Sustainability (thearchspace.com)
An Overview Of Driveways Materials And Their Benefits (thearchspace.com)
By Sreyoshi Dhali
While finding her solace in silence and everything mundane, Shreyosi prefers to untangle the chaos inside her head and makes an effort to paint scenarios with words that keep her awake at night.
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