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<br /> 0 PROJECT APPROACH
<br /> O Parking Garages
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<br /> O Parking,as part of an overall transportation system, is one of the crucial issues of our times and specially in communities such
<br /> ® as City of Sunny Isles Beach. As the number of automobiles increases exponentially,the need to park them in close proximity to
<br /> O their driver creates a challenging design problem. At BEA we are focused on place-making though sensible and aesthetical design
<br /> approach to parking garages,which are an integral component of a city's image,as parking garages have considerable impact on
<br /> 0 peoples'perception of a community as well as provide a service necessary to sustain their desire to live in or visit the area.
<br /> O Parking garages are a unique building typology. Parking garages are intended to be extremely functional structures that must be
<br /> responsive to geometrical and spatial requirements for vehicular traffic as well as safely accommodate the circulation requirements
<br /> ® of pedestrians and disabled individuals, both horizontally and vertically. Due to their traditional approach to efficiency of materials
<br /> O and construction budget, parking garages have been consistently designed as multi-level boxes that maximize parking capacity and
<br /> 0 revenue to the owner.
<br /> O However, architects have been at the forefront of changing the image of the traditional parking garage in an attempt to blend its
<br /> • design into the community fiber. At grade level, by introducing retail and office space as well as landscaped arcades and shade
<br /> ® structures that are pedestrian friendly provide an opportunity for a controlled transition between the parking garage and adjacent
<br /> community uses. The bland look of the garage building facade can now be transformed and articulated to conform to a community's
<br /> • design standards. Properly designed parking garage structures can contribute to the community by creating sustainable spaces
<br /> • working closely with developers, land owners and the City of Sunny Isles Beach.
<br /> 0 BEA approaches each parking facility in a systematic way to ensure total client satisfaction.We perform the following tasks, in
<br /> O chronological order:
<br /> 1- Review of Site Plan and confirmation of footprint.This also entails situating/being aware of the feeder roads and circulation
<br /> 0 into and out of the facility. At this stage decisions as to ground/sidewalk level accessible opportunities are considered. Determina-
<br /> O tions relative to location and size of sidewalk accessible retail, professional office or services such as community police sub-station,
<br /> ® community recreation or senior center, location of arcades and/or shaded seating areas and other pedestrian friendly amenities.
<br /> ® 2- Review of owner's Revenue Management Plan.A critical factor in designing parking facilities,depending on whether tolls are
<br /> 0 collected upon entering or exiting, the number of lanes and vehicular queuing is affected,which impacts the overall site plan layout.
<br /> O 3- Meet with local Zoning, Building, Fire Dept., Public Works and FDOT(if adjacent to and/or feeds to and from a state road or
<br /> 0 federal highway).This early-action item is crucial to the subsequent project development. Issues such as Development Orders,set-
<br /> • backs, area/height limits,access for fire trucks, hydrant water pressure, sprinklers, standpipes, building classification and construction
<br /> types,and"open versus closed"buildings, are among the issues to be agreed on, in principle, prior to design.
<br /> O 4- Floor-plate arrangement. Depending on the number and type of ramps(straight-run, sloped, helical, double helical,etc...),
<br /> • type of internal circulation, number of levels,ease of way-finding versus economy of movement,this task defines the garage layout in
<br /> harmony with the owners goals and objectives.
<br /> ® 5- Constructability Review/Preliminary Design.This critical task defines the construction method based on local physical char-
<br />. acteristics(e.g. soils conditions that require deep pile foundations or constraints on size of prefabricated elements)as well as com-
<br /> mon local practices(some regions have a predisposition to concrete, precast,or hybrid systems).The result is an owner-approved
<br /> O construction system in harmony with local practices and site conditions resulting a best value acquisition.
<br /> ® 6- Cost Control. Beginning at 30%, and then again at 60%and 100%documentation, BEA conducts phase-appropriate State-
<br /> ments of Probable Cost Forecast, and compares them to the established client budget.With three licensed General Contractors on
<br /> ® staff,we have an excellent track record in bringing parking garage facilities at or below budget.
<br /> ® 7- Aesthetics and Visual Context.A series of options are prepared for the owner's review and selection.The design options
<br /> are presented via full color 3D models that include the surround buildings and other relevant features responsive to the community's
<br /> • environment.We wait until this late stage to determine the facades because the selection of materials and erection systems must be
<br /> O made independently and take precedence.Once a construction type is selected, the facades flow logically. Nevertheless, stylistic op-
<br /> o tions and treatments are discussed for owner selection.
<br /> • 8- Mechanical and Fire Protection Systems are brought in once the overall layouts and facades are in place. The basis for
<br /> • design is the consensus with the local jurisdictional authorities which took place very early in the process.
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