As oxymoronic as it sounds, there is a parking garage that is considered “green”. “How?” you ask. Designers Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners, constructed the garage, which is on its way to being the first LEED Certified parking structure in the USA. The structure provides 900 parking spaces (14 of which are devoted to electric vehicles) throughout six levels of above ground parking and one and a half levels of below ground parking. Free bicycle storage is also available to encourage alternate transportation. The parking garage, which is the Santa Monica Civic Center parking structure, has a solar panel arrangement that provides all of the building’s energy needs. Not only is the building energy efficient, it also contains many sustainable features such as a storm drain water treatment system, recycled construction materials, low-VOC paints and coatings, low-e glazing for heating and cooling efficiency, and energy efficient mechanical systems. The Glass Association of North America also awarded the firm a design award based on the use of laminated glass panels.
Architect: Moore Ruble Yudell [ Via: Inhabitat ]
