This project expands the traditional scope of a “parking lot” to include a broader urban design, environmental, and pedestrian comfort issues. The design approach acknowledges the impact that developing 7 acres of land for 560 cars has on the greater urban fabric. The final design creates a landscaped environment for people and cars that is responsible to its urban context, and mitigates potential environmental impacts through innovative site planning approaches.
The backbone of the scheme is a system of landscape areas that function as drainage swales, diverting storm water throughout the entire parking lot. Water that is traditionally directed to underground piping is retained within these landscape areas, filtering back into the ground and reducing the need for irrigation. The major retention areas form the largest landscape gesture, replete with cottonwood trees and natural grasses.
Striking a diagonal across this swale system is a dedicated pedestrian path. This route physically and visually links the parking area with the SMUD office building – the pedestrian destination situated across the railroad tracks.
This parking lot is a demonstration of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s strong commitment to the environment. This design accomplishes its environmental ends at the same cost as a traditional parking lot, due to savings resulting from the elimination of 95% of the underground storm drains.
Recent Comments