Urban Environment House, Helsinki
Urban Environment House, Helsinki by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects The Urban Environment House is a building designed by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki architects for the Urban
Commercial and non-residential buildings
Parking
Introduction
Parking solutions can be provided in a variety of ways. In well-designed places, vehicle parking does not dominate the streetsceneAll spaces and features which form the street environment, including buildings, street furniture, fittings and finishes and green infrastructure and open spaces.. Applicants must consider the provision of car parking and should design it in accordance with the Landscaping and Nature Chapter of this Code.
Features of commercial parking
- Sustainable drainageSuDS are a natural approach to managing drainage in and around properties and other developments. Sustainable drainage measures are ones which avoid adding to flood risks both at a development site and elsewhere in the catchment by replicating natural drainage processes. SuDS work by slowing and holding back the water that runs off from a site, alleviating flooding and allowing natural processes to break down pollutants.
- Landscape breaks
- Permeable surface materials
- Accessible hard surface paths
CNP 1
Surface parking
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Surface parking must be well landscaped and allow for natural surveillance and easy access to the buildings it serves. No more than ten spaces should be provided in a row without being broken up by landscaping. Parking layouts must comply with the relevant codes set out in the ‘Layout, Parking and Public Realm’ sub-chapter in ‘Landscape and Nature’.
Description
Surface parking must be well designed with high quality hard and soft landscaping. Surface parking areas must benefit from natural surveillance and be designed to prevent indiscriminate car parking such as parking on verges and pavements.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Landscaping plan
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement.
Example of surface parking
Surface car parking behind building
Surface parking with decked communal area
SUDsSuDS are a natural approach to managing drainage in and around properties and other developments. Sustainable drainage measures are ones which avoid adding to flood risks both at a development site and elsewhere in the catchment by replicating natural drainage processes. SuDS work by slowing and holding back the water that runs off from a site, alleviating flooding and allowing natural processes to break down pollutants. swale
Rain garden
Accessible path
Parking
CNP 2
Undercroft
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Undercroft parking must be obscured from view from the street, form an integral part of the overall elevation design, with vehicle access points limited and active frontage optimised.
Description
Basement and undercroft parking should only be used where is can be adequately concealed from principal elevations by active ground floor uses.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with. Retaining walls should be clearly shown on floorplans, elevations and sections.
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floorplans
- Elevation plans
- Street scenes
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement.
Example of hiding undercroft parking behind an active edge
Undercroft parking with retail edge on street
Undercroft and deck parking
Office
Active ground floor
Parking
CNP 3
Basement
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Where basement parking is considered to be acceptable, it must not be located on a principal elevation and must be integral to the overall architecture of the building. Retaining walls must be kept to a minimum and designed to minimise the visual impact on the external appearance of the building, the site and streetsceneAll spaces and features which form the street environment, including buildings, street furniture, fittings and finishes and green infrastructure and open spaces.. A high quality landscaping scheme must form part of the overall design proposal.
Description
Well designed basement parking can negate the clutter associated with surface parking if the vehicular entrance and associated retaining walls are concealed from the public realmThis is the space between and within buildings that is publicly accessible, including streets, squares, forecourts, parks and open spaces.. The design of basement parking areas must be integral to the overall architecture of the building and the landscaping of the site, with retaining walls kept to a minimum. However, the introduction of basement parking in existing buildings will generally not be supported because of the negative effect it has on the characterCharacter includes all of the elements that go to make a place, how it looks and feels, its geography and landscape, its noises and smells, activity, people and businesses. This character should be understood as a starting point for all development. Character can be understood at three levels; the area type in which the site sits, its surroundings and the features of the site. of the building.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with. Retaining walls should be clearly shown on floorplans, elevations and sections.
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Floorplans
- Elevation plans
- Street scenes
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement.
Example of creating a flat and level ground floor edge
Office
Active ground floor
Parking
CNP 4
Cycle parking
CODE
Description
Compliance
CODE
Cycle parking must be provided in a covered, secure and easily accessible location.
Description
Applicants should refer to the Council’s cycle parking standards to establish the quantum of cycle parking required. Cycle parking for non-residential uses should be integrated into the main building, but where this is not possible cycle storage areas must be covered, secure and within close proximity to the building entrance. External cycle stores must be well designed and sited where they do not detract from the characterCharacter includes all of the elements that go to make a place, how it looks and feels, its geography and landscape, its noises and smells, activity, people and businesses. This character should be understood as a starting point for all development. Character can be understood at three levels; the area type in which the site sits, its surroundings and the features of the site. and appearance of the building or the surrounding area. 5% of all cycle parking spaces should be capable of accommodating inclusive cycles, cargo cycles and tricycles.
Compliance
Applicants should demonstrate in their submission how this element of the code has been complied with.
Documents required:
- Site plan
- Landscaping plan
- Code requirement signposted in the Design and Access Statement.
Examples
Commercial parking case studies
Wellington Place, Leeds
Wellington Place, Leeds by DLG, Arup, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios Architects (FCBS), Carey Jones and Gillespies, Martha Schwartz (Landscape) Wellington Place marks an important part
