The new parking garage at the Sant Monica Civic Center is stunning, and it’s on its way to becoming LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, too!
A solar photovoltaic array on the roof provides shade for top level parking and on-site renewable energy. The materials used in construction were recycled and finished with low-VOC paints and finishes. The building envelope utilizes low-e glazing to decrease heating and cooling loads and the mechanicals are energy efficient. A storm-drain water-treatment system helps reduce tainted runoff from directly entering the hydrosphere and greywater harvesting provides for landscaping and on-site facilities.
The garage has spaces set aside for electric vehicles, and offers free bike parking. However, Inhabitat points out that a “green” parking facility may be seen as an oxymoron, no matter how many environmentally-friendly features it has. Link -via Digg
That thing looks sweet! I wanna park there!
With a fully automated payment system and round-the-clock security, it is Tucson's first 24-hour parking structure. The facility’s power consumption is
supplemented with solar panels that provide 50Kw of electricity and shade to vehicles on the rooftop. The on-line system is tied directly into the
City’s power network minimizing waste of unused solar energy. The architectural design replicates a southwestern art deco prevalent in the downtown area and identified in the City’s master plan. The historic
fabric of the site was respected by tying in design and artifacts of the original Levy’s building. The covered arcade provides protection from the Arizona sun and brings foot traffic along the retail/commercial
establishment.
Plus, it looks very cool.