Multi-Story Car Park, Baton Rouge – IMPRESSIONS

From the top of the car park, one is struck by an overriding sense of order. A great expanse of smooth concrete, cut into with precision by the two vehicle ramps, which create an element of depth and definition in juxtaposition to the expanse of unrelenting concrete that envelops it.

Once is almost under the impression, stood atop the garage, that one could be stood upon the flight deck of a great aircraft carrier at sea. The smooth expanse of concrete is reminiscent of the flight deck, with the elevated position of the viewer analogous to that of a sailor standing upon his ship deck. This sentiment is accentuated by the ability, in certain directions at least, to see far into the distance from the top of the car park; like a seaman surveying the vast expanse of the sea before him. One almost has the experience of being ‘adrift at sea’ in that the car park gives the impression of not being particularly ‘anchored’ in its position; but rather floating around its surrounding cityscape.

The Westerly view from the car park, towards the Mississippi river, is perhaps the most evocative as it ties the relatively anonymous car park to one of the great elements in the American landscape; the river itself, and avoids many of the taller building in other directional views, which could have come from almost any US cityscape. My initial thoughts lead me to believe that this Westerly view towards the Mississippi is perhaps the single greatest ‘asset’ of the site itself; and as such I may lean towards focusing on this element in my development of the studio concept.

At the top of the garage, one is struck by a definite sense of height relative to one’s surroundings below; and to an extent this can create a certain sense of calm, as the noise hurriedness s and street of the typical city life taking place below, seems to be a long way away.
However, the sense of elevation is limited, to a certain extent, by the buildings around the garage, - particularly those which surpass the car park in height - which punctuate the view into the distance.