In addition to gaining 200 much-needed parking spaces, the city of West Hollywood, Calif., is effectively planting hundreds of acres’ worth of trees.
The city recently opened a new fully-automated parking garage for city staff, residents, and local businesses. Designed by LPA Inc., and outfitted with technology from Unitronics Automated Solutions, the garage will use robots to move and store cars throughout the building.
Since the cars are turned off when being parked and retrieved, the city says that the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is equal to removing 92 cars from the road over a year. That’s equal to planting 67,000 trees.
To make the garage even more sustainable, the shell surrounding the warehouse is made of composite wood panels made from recycled plastic grocery bags. Photovoltaic solar panels and drought-tolerant landscaping has also been installed. The garage will also display public art and serve as a "community open space," according to LPA.
(Click photos to enlarge)
Related Stories
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Apr 26, 2013
Solving the parking dilemma in U.S. cities
ArchDaily's Rory Stott yesterday posted an interesting exploration of progressive parking strategies being employed by cities and designers. The lack of curbside and lot parking exacerbates traffic congestion, discourages visitors, and leads to increased vehicles emissions.
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.
Building Enclosure Systems | Mar 13, 2013
5 novel architectural applications for metal mesh screen systems
From folding façades to colorful LED displays, these fantastical projects show off the architectural possibilities of wire mesh and perforated metal panel technology.
| Feb 26, 2013
Tax incentive database for reflective roofs available
The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) and the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) created a database of current information on rebates and tax credits for installing reflective roofs.
| Feb 22, 2013
Dutch team's 'bioconcrete' can heal itself
Two researchers from Delft Technical University in Holland have developed a self-healing cement that can stop microcracks from forming in concrete.
| Feb 22, 2013
Zaha Hadid to help plan new London-area airport hub
The Mayor of London has appointed Zaha Hadid Architects to help create a major new airport in southeastern England.
| Sep 7, 2012
Suffolk awarded One Channel Center project in Boston
Firm to manage $125 million, 525,000-sf office building project.
| Sep 7, 2012
Duffy joins Thornton Tomasetti
At Hardesty & Hanover, Duffy partnered with Thornton Tomasetti on a number of projects.
