paul de ruiter architects: insulindeplein car park

‘insulindeplein car park’ by paul de ruiter architects all images courtesy paul de ruiter architects photographer: pieter kers

‘insulindeplein car park’ by amsterdam-based office paul de ruiter architects is the first fully automated car park in rotterdam, the netherlands. the design features a street level pavilion-esque structure with two separate entrances. providing space for over 140 cars, the underground park is fully operated by a ‘parking robot’. by utilizing a mechanical distributor rather than providing circulation space, the car park is able to accommodate one-third more cars than in a traditional setup.

the pavilion features a transparent facade, offering a view of the square from the car park and vice versa. made completely out of glass, the treatment provides a subtle mirroring effect, merging the structure with its surrounding by day, and becoming a light-filled lantern by night.

besides freeing up the streets of parked cars, the advantage of building an underground and fully automated facility are many: it saves on energy cost (lighting and climate control) since it is not occupied by people; the space about the car park can be developed into a square with green space and a playground.

garage door

street view

‘parking robot’ moving the cars

underground interior of car park

facade

site model

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