Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure

Colorful Glass Panels Bring Fresh Look to Typical Application

Although a parking garage isn’t normally associated with high architectural design standards, this Santa Monica parking structure might make one reconsider previous conceptions. Offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the city below, the new building provides a memorable arrival point to the Civic Center. By day, the bright rainbow of glass panels made with Vanceva™ color technology welcomes daylight into the structure, reducing the need for artificial lighting while creating a light and airy space. At night, the panels transform the building into a luminous exterior display of softly glowing light and color. This fresh, innovative use of color in the design reflects the purpose of the building itself: the many colors, patterns, and sizes of the glass panels echo the colorful diversity of the automobiles inside. As Susan Trimble from Oldcastle Building Envelope™ said, “The design does not disguise the utilitarian nature of the building, but instead seeks to celebrate this aspect as part of the design aesthetic.”

The Santa Monica parking structure was the first of its kind to receive a LEED Certified rating through the U.S. Green Building Council for its use of sustainable architectural in the design. Santa Monica’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment commented on the structure on its website, saying, “The building features design strategies, materials, products, and construction practices that preserve natural resources, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste.” The use of Vanceva colored laminated glass panels was essential in creating both an environmentally friendly structure and a vibrant reflection of urban life.