Extending the Luxury Experience, One Parking Space at a Time

According to an analysis by JLL, a global leader in real estate and investment services, trends towards urbanization and higher density environments have significantly increased the importance and need for structured parking. Yet, the costs and property requirements for parking structures can make building owners view parking as an inconvenience or necessary evil. But what if instead of an afterthought, parking could be an asset? 

For better or worse, parking can and does shape user choices. A person may think twice about visiting a retail location or public place that is known to have insufficient or otherwise unappealing parking. On the other hand, a well-planned, attractive and inviting parking structure can significantly enhance the user experience and offer additional incentives for a customer, employee, or resident to engage with a location.

Designing for people as well as cars

The trend toward upscale and luxury parking has taken off in the post-COVID era, as businesses have been pushed to explore every available avenue to attract people. As noted by authors Domenic Koyama and Fernando Sanchez of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., " 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. It's no longer enough to build structures that merely house vehicles; they must be designed with people in mind."

This shift in understanding occupant and user dynamics has driven architects and owners to rethink parking design. Dull, uninspiring monoliths no longer suffice. Innovative design and cutting-edge materials are changing the game toward upscale parking. 

Optimizing function and form

Parking is an extension and reflection of the building or campus it serves and should contextually take look, feel and flow into account. In doing so, the parking structure has an important role to play in creating an immersive experience that evokes quality, strength, safety and sophistication. 

One of the materials making a mark on higher-end parking structures is metal mesh cladding. Lightweight and multifunctional, metal mesh delivers a degree of versatility and visual pop that allows designers to strike a balance between the programming needs of a parking structure and the aesthetics called for in a luxury environment or destination. 

Through a combination of transparency and solidity characteristics, mesh provides physical openness and ventilation. The enhanced air flow supports comfort and performance while maintaining a sophisticated, continuous appearance. This openness applies to natural light as well. The semi-transparent nature of metal mesh allows daylight to enter the structure, reducing reliance on artificial lighting during daytime hours while simultaneously providing screening to soften harsh sunlight, creating a comfortable interior environment.

For luxury properties, metal mesh cladding can transform what has in the past been considered a separate utility structure into a design feature. Rather than hiding from or apologizing for the necessity of parking, savvy developers can incorporate parking structures as integral elements of the overall design language and create a seamless transition from arrival to destination.

Enlightened applications, interpretations

Available in various patterns, weaves, and finishes, metal mesh is versatile and can be customized to complement any architectural style. This flexibility provides ways for parking structures to establish visual continuity with any number of different kinds of facilities. This cloaking system also lets architects position parking structures closer to main entrances making them convenient for pedestrians without detracting from the building’s aesthetic.

In one open-air shopping destination in Miami, parking amenities are positioned as an important element of the retail experience. Bal Harbour Shops has built a reputation for excellence over 60 years, and to achieve the best aesthetic and performance for its new parking garage, the owners used metal mesh to create an elegant, timeless design. It expresses character while also providing transparency and natural light.

Also in Miami, mesh was used to elevate the parking structure design to match that of Grove Central Residences and bring visual appeal and a luxurious feel to the tenant experience. The architects at Touzet Studio in Coral Gables, Fla, designed the garage and utilized metal mesh for durability and aesthetics. Located on Route 1, one of Miami’s most heavily traveled areas, mesh makes the building unique and memorable while meeting the area’s strict Miami-Dade County building codes.

Further up the coast in Fort Lauderdale, 200 East Las Olas Parking Garage stands as an eye-catching gateway to the beach. Arquitectonica of Miami envisioned the multi-story parking structure as a grand, sweeping gesture, like a wave frozen in time. Using metal mesh cladding, the design is a modern riff on a wave pattern. The play of light and shadow through the mesh creates dynamic visual effects, transforming a parking facility into art. 

Delivering on the luxury experience

For owners, occupants and users of luxury spaces, looks are important but performance is king. The openness of metal mesh can deliver superior ventilation while meeting necessary safety requirements. The permeability of the material allows for optimal air circulation, eliminating expensive and complex mechanical ventilation systems. At the same time, it serves as a security barrier that prevents unauthorized access while still allowing clear lines of sight for surveillance. For those with sustainability mandates, most metal mesh contains recycled content and is fully recyclable at the end of its lifecycle. Plus, the passive ventilation and daylighting it provides can reduce the environmental impacts associated with excessive energy use.

As we look toward the future, the role of parking in luxury developments continues to evolve. Trends may come and go, but what remains constant is the need for parking structures to contribute positively to the overall experience of the buildings and communities they serve. As businesses continue to compete for customers, residents, and employees, the quality of the arrival experience will continue to grow in importance. Metal mesh cladding, with its unique combination of functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal, offers a compelling solution with the power to help transform parking into a luxury amenity.