Fitzsimmons Architects

Guardian Parking

Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills

GUARDIAN PARKING

Fitzsimmons Architects

ARCHITECTS
Fitzsimmons Architects

CATEGORY
Urban Design

LOCATION
Okhlahoma City, United States

AREA
12.0 ft2

YEAR
2012

PHOTOGRAPHS
Joseph Mills

Text description provided by architect.

The location of the site is in the ‘Midtown District’ near downtown Oklahoma City, OK. This area is an integral part of the current renaissance of Oklahoma City and has seen a dramatic increase in both the redevelopment of existing buildings as well as new infill commercial and residential housing projects. 

Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills
Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills

To meet the needs of building tenants for protected parking in the urban environment the client opted for a central parking area for several buildings as opposed to separate parking lots.

Covered parking is viewed as an added amenity in Oklahoma primarily due to weather concerns. 

Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills
Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills

The design solution was to provide protected parking and pedestrian areas while maintaining visual openness for security of the users.

To keep the structure as open as possible a cantilevered framework was used to minimize the number of columns. The perimeter fencing incorporates a lighter steel framework that serves as a tie-down for the cantilevered beams so that the size of the structural members could be minimized.

Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills
Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills

The fencing is an expanded metal screening with a powder-coated finish riveted to the framework. Cove lighting above the perimeter fencing provides a dramatic accent to the red panels from both sides and also serves as security lighting.

Additionally, the design team worked with the client to raise the level of expectations for a parking structure to also become a public amenity.

Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills
Guardian Parking
© Joseph Mills

The structure though conceived as utilitarian, also is designed to create a sense of place and was outfitted with additional electric and lighting measures to accommodate its transformation into a market and event space. Within a month of being completed, a charitable fundraising event has already taken place in the guardian parking to a sold out crowd.


Guardian Parking
Courtesy of Fitzsimmons Architects
Guardian Parking
Courtesy of Fitzsimmons Architects

Fitzsimmons Architects
T +1 405 6009460
Fitzsimmons Architects
2721 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, United States