1. Q-Park Charles Street, Sheffield, UKQ-Park Charles Street, a multi-storey carpark in the UK town of Sheffield, is affectionately known by locals as ‘The Cheesegrater’. Designed by London architects Allies & Morrison, the eye catching building has 530 parking spaces and features hundreds of metallic panels placed at different angles causing it to glint like a huge diamond in the sunlight. It won the award for the World’s Coolest Carpark in 2013.
Image Source: Daily Mail.co.uk
Closer to home, the Eureka Tower Carpark in Melbourne’s Southbank may look relatively normal on the outside but its interior incorporates a fun graphic design element. Giant colourful 3D words guide drivers UP, DOWN or OUT as they negotiate the carpark’s ramps. The concept was inspired by Swiss artist Felice Varini who used 3D vector art on the exterior and interior of buildings to transform a drab space.
Image Source: Omglog
Who says that a carpark has to be square? The Veranda carpark by Dutch architect Paul de Ruiter is a perfect example of innovative carpark designs, with its refreshingly trapezium-shaped structure featuring lots of curves and rounded edges that create a sense of movement and flow. In fact, this high-tech carpark is even designed to extract exhaust fumes, making it literally a breath of fresh air for anyone parking there. With four underground and four above-ground levels, its aluminium facade is designed to let in daylight and provide views of the sky, helping people feel connected to the outside world.
Image Source: Arch Daily
Robert Wennett, a Miami developer and art collector, enlisted Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron to create this cool carpark some describe as resembling a house of cards. But this radical carpark with its zig-zag columns isn’t likely to blow down in a strong wind. 111 Lincoln Road has won numerous design awards for its open-air interior harnessing natural light and soaring 34 foot high ceilings. With 360 degree views of Miami and South Beach, it is one of the best places in the city for watching sunsets.
Image Source: Princeton Architectural Press
Imagine a carpark that actually recharges your car and lets you drive on sunshine. In California solar power is a happening thing with a company called Envision Solar providing charging stations and solar powered tree carparks that can charge electric vehicles (EV). The structure can rotate with the angle of the sun to get maximum rays and Envision say the sustainable venture will provide an emergency power source during blackouts.
Image Source: Envision Solar
These innovative carpark designs not only push the boundaries of architecture but also emphasize the importance of safety and functionality in parking areas. One feature that plays a crucial role in preventing accidents and enhancing carpark safety is wheel stops. These simple yet effective barriers help to ensure vehicles are parked correctly, preventing damage to surrounding structures and other vehicles.
For example, in a modern carpark like the Q-Park Charles Street, with its striking design and busy structure, wheel stops can be essential in maintaining order and preventing vehicle movement beyond designated spaces. Similarly, at the Veranda Carpark in Rotterdam, with its innovative curves and fluid design, incorporating wheel stops can help preserve the aesthetic while ensuring safety.
By integrating these practical additions into the design, carparks can be both visually appealing and functionally sound, making them more than just spaces to park—they become an integral part of the urban landscape.
For 10 years, our focus has been on one thing: to provide one style of product and to do it well.
Our wheel stops, speed humps and rumble bars meet Australian Standards, don’t fade, and we’ve never needed to replace one.
For 10 years, our focus has been on one thing: to provide one style of product and to do it well.
Our wheel stops, speed humps and rumble bars meet Australian Standards, don’t fade, and we’ve never needed to replace one.
