Building parking garages for people, not just cars

Parking is often the first interaction visitors have with a facility, and it can influence their perception of an associated business or brand long before they set foot inside. Whether it’s a hospital, retail center, or university campus, the experience of parking—ease of navigation, perceived safety, and overall convenience—sets the tone. 

Poorly designed parking can lead to frustration, potentially deterring future visits. By contrast, a well-designed, thoughtfully constructed parking building not only meets functional and logistical needs but also creates a positive, welcoming experience that reflects the values of the facility it serves.

Modern parking design transcends its utilitarian roots. It’s no longer enough to build structures that merely house vehicles; they must be designed with people in mind in support of the facility use. From the moment a visitor enters a parking facility, the parking building and incorporated features should support that pedestrian path from and to the destination. Features like intuitive layouts, user-friendly ramping, , enhanced lighting and well-placed signage ensure that users feel comfortable, confident and safe as they navigate the space.

Integration and brand continuity

Parking buildings are an extension of the facilities they serve. As such, they play a key role in reinforcing a brand’s identity. For example, a hospital parking building can incorporate calming architectural elements and soft lighting to mirror the care-focused atmosphere within. Similarly, a corporate campus might emphasize modern design and sustainability features, such as solar panels or green walls, to reflect its commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.

Creating this continuity requires collaboration between builders, architects and designers to align structural elements with the aesthetic and functional goals of the primary facility. This holistic approach ensures that parking buildings enhance, rather than detract from, the overall user experience.

Solutions-driven parking garage design

Self-perform further enhances this approach by allowing teams to directly and proactively manage structural layouts and overall parking design, ensuring cost informs the design development while keeping focus on safety features, intuitive navigation, and overall accessibility. This dual focus on concept generating technology and self-performance capabilities enables builders to create parking buildings that balance cost-effectiveness with high-quality, user-centric solutions, address user requirements and inform decisions.

Safety is a critical factor and should be at the forefront of a parking building design. While keeping the user top of mind, both as a pedestrian and driver in the facility, both active and passive safety systems will help in developing cost conscious solutions. Installing visible security measures, emergency call stations, and maintaining open sightlines can foster a sense of security, particularly in urban areas or during late hours. Furthermore, incorporating accessible spaces and clear pathways supports inclusivity, accommodating users with diverse needs.

By prioritizing user needs while balancing cost-effectiveness, builders can deliver parking solutions that maximize utility without compromising quality. This approach ensures that facilities are equipped to handle both current demands and future growth.

Future-proofing and flexibility in parking structure design

The transportation landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on sustainability. As electric vehicles (EVs) become more prevalent and shared mobility gains traction, parking buildings must adapt to accommodate these changes. Designing for flexibility is essential.

For instance, integrating additional EV charging stations, accommodating for future technologies and planning for future expansion ensures that facilities can meet increasing demand. On the higher end of cost, design strategies can consider higher ceiling heights and modular layouts allow for potential repurposing of parking spaces, transforming them into offices or mixed-use areas as parking needs diminish. More cost effective alternatives involve preparing the parking building for additional or future

parking technologies – additional conduits, Wireless Access Point coverage, video, audio and License Plate Recognition coverage can allow for greater integration into the Internet of Things and as AI develops further into all spaces, these adaptive strategies align with the principles of sustainable construction, extending the lifespan and functionality of parking buildings.

The role of technology in parking design

Technology plays a growing role in shaping user experience. Smart parking systems, which use sensors and real-time data to guide drivers to available spaces, reduce congestion and save time. Additionally, app-based payment systems and contactless entry points enhance convenience, catering to users’ expectations for seamless, tech-enabled experiences.

From a construction perspective, virtual design and construction (VDC) tools enable builders to visualize and optimize layouts before breaking ground, minimizing costly revisions and ensuring a more efficient build process. These technologies exemplify how innovation is reshaping parking buildings to meet modern demands.

Fostering Collaboration for Excellence

The complexity of modern parking design demands a collaborative approach. By leveraging integrated delivery methods such as design-build models, project teams can streamline workflows, reduce redundancies, and deliver projects more efficiently. This collaborative mindset extends to every phase of construction, ensuring that all stakeholders—clients, designers, and builders—are aligned in their goals.

For builders, this means not only meeting technical specifications but also contributing innovative ideas that enhance user experience and add long-term value to the facility. The result is a parking building that functions as more than a logistical solution; it becomes a key asset for the community it serves.

Key Takeaways

Parking facilities are no longer just places to store vehicles; they are critical touchpoints that shape how people interact with the spaces they visit. By prioritizing user experience, and integrating brand elements, builders can elevate parking buildings to become dynamic, value-adding assets for clients.

About the Authors
Domenic Koyama is a Vice President Preconstruction for McCarthy Building Companies. Fernando Sanchez is Director of Design Integration for McCarthy Building Companies