The main upgrade to the garages was to clad the exterior in a new shade screen, providing privacy and shade, as well as an a more attractive appearance. A single mass-produced and repeatable panel made up of a series of cement board slats, which resembles a shipping pallet, was used throughout the project. Measuring approximately 10 feet by 16 feet and arranged in a slightly different position or orientation relative to each adjacent panel, the appearance seems organic and non-repeating. Overall, the result is one that is aesthetically pleasing, visually diverse, and shades the cars and makes the garages seem more like buildings than just a place to park.
On the ground floor of the garages, a number of retail spaces were constructed to improve the streetscape so that the area surrounding the mall isn’t such a dead zone. Brooks + Scarpa also added a bike station to lock up your sweet cruiser, improved pedestrian access, signage and public art like a giant mosaic and a trippy metal ball installation. The garages are also equipped with the infrastructure to handle a future rooftop canopy solar system to provide shade for cars and electricity for the garages and some of the city’s public buildings.
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After the green renovation of the Gehry-designed Santa Monica Place into a fantastic open air mall, the surrounding infrastructure, especially the parking garages, needed an overhaul. The city brought in Brooks + Scarpa (formerly Pugh + Scarpa) to design improvements
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The main upgrade to the garages was to clad the exterior in a new shade screen, providing privacy inside, shade as well as an a more attractive appearance.
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A single mass-produced and repeatable panel made up of a series of cement board slats, which resembles shipping pallets, was used throughout the project.
[4]
Electric lighting amps up the parking garages at night.
[5]
Measuring approximately 10 feet by 16 feet and arranged in a slightly different position or orientation relative to each adjacent panel, the appearance seems organic and non-repeating.
[6]
Overall, the result is one that is aesthetically pleasing, visually diverse, shades the cars and makes the garages seem more like buildings than a place to park your car.
[7]
On the ground floor of the garages, a number of retail spaces were constructed to improve the street scape so the area surrounding the mall isn’t such a dead zone.
[8]
Brooks + Scarpa also added a bike station to lock up your sweet cruiser, improved pedestrian access, signage and public art like a giant mosaic and trippy metal ball installation.
[9]
The parking garages are cleverly hidden now and blend in with the surrounding buildings.
[10]
The garages are also equipped with the infrastructure to handle a future rooftop canopy solar system to provide shade for the cars and electricity for the garages and some of the city’s public buildings.
[11]
Bright red shade screens hide the pedestrian staircases.
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Metal sculptural signage, by Cliff Garten Studio, marks the entrance to the garages.
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The renovation of the garages is almost complete in this image.
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Early rendering of the parking garage renovations.
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