Delivering efficient car park design with BakerHicks

Delivering a cost and programme efficient design tailored to the end purpose are essential elements of multi-deck car park design. With a specialised and highly experienced team in place, multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery company BakerHicks, who are on the Pagabo Professional Services Framework, have developed a tried and tested formula for achieving this.

Most recently, they implemented this on two large scale car storage facilities, one for import-export of new vehicles and the other a valet parking facility at a major international airport. The first provides a total of 3810 parking spaces over six floors, and the latter 4,453 parking spaces over three floors. Both offered the client a significant cost per space saving through an efficiency driven approach to the design.

The new six floor import-export parking facility delivered by BakerHicks.

Driving efficiency through structural design

BakerHicks designed a utilitarian structure for both facilities, with a modular, prefabricated design incorporating precast concrete floors on a steel frame, supported by piled foundations. The structural frame and the concrete slabs for both were constructed off-site, then erected by cranes, enabling a shorter construction period. For the import-export facility further added value was delivered through revisiting the standard building grid used for previous facilities, resulting in savings in precast manufacture through reducing wastage. 

The structural grid of each facility of was determined by the requirement for parking lanes, driving efficiency and ensuring a fit for purpose design. For example, in the valet parking facility cars would be parked in ‘nose-to-tail’ blocks of 50. This allows the maximum number of vehicles within the building’s footprint, whilst also minimising the amount of deck parking required. To enable this, BakerHicks’ structural engineers designed a long span steel frame, providing the maximum column free space and ensuring the grids worked for the operational needs of the facility.

This was driven by the use of the latest software and 3D analysis techniques, including Masterseries and Finite Element Analysis methods. This allowed their engineers to build a complete model of the structure which was then linked into Revit software, ensuring accuracy and driving an efficient process.

Delivering programme efficiency

In the case of the import-export facility further programme efficiencies were delivered through the sequence of construction, which BakerHicks worked closely with the contractor to help develop. Storage space was limited on site, so a progressive build was adopted, working sequentially down the frame with onsite deliveries timed accordingly so the materials for the next phase arrived just in time. Alternative foundation designs were also provided upfront to allow the contractor to select a different configuration should any of the piles refused when being installed. This approach maximised programme efficiency and allowed the project to be completed, from design phase to handover, in just ten months, with a RIBA Stage 4 design phase of just 12 weeks.

Extended design life guarantee

The use of a steel frame and concrete floor used on both facilities meant the design life was guaranteed for at least 30 years. In the case of the import-export facility, which is located on a peninsula, BakerHicks specified galvanised steel for the structure to protect it from the harsh coastal environment. The Galvanic Map was used to work out the Micron loss per year in order to determine the thickness required, allowing a design guarantee of 50 years to be provided.

Flexibility to meet client needs

In both cases, the facilities were delivered on time, to budget and to the respective client’s expectations. The design model used is one that can be taken and adapted to a wide range of car parking projects, it also offers the ability to be upgraded to a more customer facing finish whilst still maintaining relative cost and programme efficiency.

For example, BakerHicks recently designed a multi-deck staff car parking facility for a high-profile public sector client. In this case, the floor system and beam and column support framework remained the same, but greater attention was paid to the finishing details. Paintwork and waterproofing, with improved cladding, signage, edge protection and lighting meant a utilitarian structure was transformed into a public facing facility, demonstrating the flexibility offered.

Looking ahead: connecting our clients

At Pagabo, we’re excited to build a working relationship with BakerHicks and are looking forward to connecting our clients with their design and engineering expertise through our Professional Services Framework.

To find out more about our Professional Services Framework, click below

Professional Services Framework

BakerHicks

View More Case Studies