behnisch + studio jantzen team up for santa monica parking structure

behnisch architekten and studio jantzen have teamed up for the ‘city of santa monica parking structure #6’, which serves a variety of major destinations for locals and tourists in a downtown area on the los angeles coastline. the area presents a lively blend of activity, including retail shops, pedestrians, bikers, motorists, vegetated landscapes, and places for rest and relaxation. the garage seeks to enhance this public energy, via a spatially dynamic and highly performative façade. the elevation is composed of a colorful panelized metal skin, with a visually bold external staircase breaking through for circulation.

a visually bold external staircase breaks the panelized façade’s patterning
image by david matthiessen (also main image)

designed by behnisch architekten and studio jantzen, the porous façade functions to mediate daylight entry, specifically designed to transmit light deep into the parking levels while eliminating harsh direct gain and glare. each module is comprised of two triangular panels, one of which is perforated and white, while the other is colored and angled. the latter serves to catch and redirect sunlight into interior spaces, with strips of mirror-finish stainless steel its inner surface. beyond functional benefits, the permeable nature of the skin system produces a visual transparency, displaying a blurred motion of cars to the outdoor areas below.

the external stair clearly directs parking patrons to second street, an active street in santa monica
image by david matthiessen

the circulation scheme clearly directs parking patrons to second street below, where the majority of public activity occurs. the stair is broken into multiple segments across the large elevation, and weaves in and out of the outer skin. on the upper levels, it protrudes from the building to take advantage of the site’s ocean views.

the colorful panels are angled to catch and redirect sunlight into the parking areas
images by david matthiessen

image by david matthiessen

perforated panels allow for the passage of low angle light directly into the garage
image by david matthiessen

images by david matthiessen

(left): the triangular fins are colored with varying warm tones
(right): the inside of the angled panels is covered with mirrored strips, to reflect light to the interior
images by david matthiessen

the upper levels of the staircase provide open views to the ocean
image by david matthiessen

image by david matthiessen

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project info:

location: santa monica, california
client: city of santa monica
completion date: december 2013
design architects: behnisch architekten with studio jantzen
architect of record: international parking design
photography: david matthiessen