EAA Historical Architecture

Architecture Behind Chesapeake Car Park: Innovative Design for Urban Parking Solutions

The Chesapeake Car Park in Oklahoma City stands as a prime example of modern architectural design blending form and function. Built in 2015, this structure goes beyond the typical parking garage stereotype.

The car park features a unique exterior of vertical white aluminum fins that create an ever-changing visual experience as viewers move around the building.

This innovative design allows the structure to appear transparent from certain angles and opaque from others. At night, lighting transforms the facade, creating captivating silhouettes of the building’s structure and parked cars.

The car park contains over 547,000 square feet of floor space, providing ample parking for the Chesapeake Energy campus.

The architects envisioned Car Park 4 as a paired structure with the adjacent Building 15, creating a cohesive visual impact on the campus. This thoughtful integration demonstrates how even utilitarian structures like parking garages can contribute to an area’s overall aesthetic appeal when designed with care and creativity.

Design and Aesthetics

The Chesapeake Car Park 4 showcases innovative architectural design that blends form and function. Its striking facade and thoughtful lighting create a distinctive visual presence on the campus.

Conceptual Framework

Car Park 4 was envisioned as a paired structure with Building 15. The architects aimed to create more than just a parking garage. They designed an “architectural veil” that adds visual interest to the campus.

The structure holds 791 cars on 4 floors. Its unique features go beyond basic functionality. The design creates a balanced relationship between the building’s purpose and its aesthetic appeal.

Visual Identity and Façade

The most striking element of Car Park 4 is its distinctive facade. Vertical white aluminum fins wrap the exterior, giving the building a graceful, textured profile.

These fins create an interesting visual effect. From the front, the building appears transparent. As viewers move to the side, it transforms into an opaque angular form.

The facade uses a mix of red and white colors. This color scheme helps the building stand out while still fitting in with the campus aesthetic.

Lighting and Materials

Lighting plays a key role in the building’s design. At night, light glows through the facades. This creates silhouettes of the structure and parked cars, adding visual drama.

The main building material is structural concrete. This provides a sturdy base for the parking levels. The aluminum fins add a lighter, more delicate touch to the exterior.

The combination of materials creates a balance between strength and elegance. It shows how functional structures can also be visually appealing.

Functionality and Experience

The Chesapeake Car Park blends safety, ease of use, and campus integration. It offers a secure environment while providing smooth navigation and accessibility for users.

Safety and Security

The car park prioritizes user safety through several measures. Security cameras monitor the facility around the clock.

Strategically placed security stations allow for quick response to any issues.

Emergency features include elevator phones and panic buttons. These provide immediate help if needed.

Well-lit areas increase visibility and deter crime. Card key access restricts entry to authorized personnel only.

Navigation and Accessibility

Clear signage guides drivers to available spaces. The layout is designed for easy traffic flow.

Wide driving lanes and parking spaces accommodate various vehicle sizes.

Elevators and stairs are conveniently located for quick access to different levels.

Color-coding and numbering systems help users remember where they parked. This reduces confusion and saves time when returning to vehicles.

Integration with Campus

The car park fits seamlessly with existing campus architecture. Its scale and proportions complement nearby buildings.

Landscaping around the structure softens its appearance. This creates a pleasant transition between the car park and surrounding areas.

The facility’s location considers relationship adjacency. It provides convenient access to key campus buildings and amenities.

Pedestrian walkways connect the car park to other parts of the campus. This promotes a cohesive and walkable environment for Chesapeake Energy Corporation employees and visitors.

Head back to E-A-A.com homepage.

Scroll to Top