Melrose Ave. Parking Expansion
HLKB Architecture
Recognitions:
2008 Design Awards
Project Description
The project was conceived to create a parking structure that blends into the urban edge of the hospital campus and minimize the impact a building of this typology and scale would typically create in an unban university campus environment. Special significance was given to create a better neighbor to the adjacent residential neighborhood on the south end of the site.
Exterior materials were chosen for the structure to balance the functional needs of the structure against the desire to relate to the surrounding materials of the adjacent buildings of the University Hospital campus to the west, the University campus to the north and east, and the Neighborhood to the south.
The red brick-colored terra cotta tile panels on the south are complimentary to the brick of the Fieldhouse and addition to the north, as well as the Red Granite at the base of the hospital’s Family Pavilion to the west. These durable tiles were also chosen to maximize ventilation and daylight, thereby reducing energy consumption and increasing the perceived and real safety for the users. The tiles are mounted to a steel sub-structure, and angled to allow ventilation and daylight, while blocking views of car bumpers and headlights on the ramp interior.
A covered pedestrian path between the old and new structures allows users to access the enclosed ‘alley’ walkway and creates a pedestrian link to the rest of the campus. The stair towers to the northeast and southwest of the new structure is enclosed in clear glass, to enhance the security of these public areas, and to allow pedestrian activity to be visible from the street.
The perimeter of the new structure is landscaped to create a positive street front along both Melrose Avenue and South Grand Avenue. The majority of existing trees along the north of Melrose Avenue are maintained, with additional trees added, along with a retaining wall which separates the city sidewalk from the parking structure.