Herbert S. Newman and Partners Yale University Science Hill Parking Garage Wins 2007 AIA Connecticut Honor Award

Architects Herbert S. Newman and Partners of New Haven, CT, received a 2007 AIA Connecticut Honor Award for its design of the Science Hill Parking Garage at Yale University, New Haven, CT. The design of the new parking structure was cited for its ability to blend into the neighborhood and the natural environment, respect an adjacent architectural landmark by Eero Saarinen and take maximum advantage of all siting possibilities.
The new Science Hill Parking Garage has 350 spaces for students, faculty and administrators from the Universitys science campus and is critical to the Universitys science campus expansion plans. The architects faced numerous design challenges in siting a two-and-a-half-story structure in an area bounded by Saarinens iconic modernist Ingalls Rink, a stately street of homes now used by the University, wetlands and a residential neighborhood. The design approach included: creating a berm to partially bury the structure, thus reducing the structures height, while creating a small pond for the adjacent wetlands; designing an entry pavilion to the garage on the upper level, which is the principal pedestrian access to the science campus, that blends in scale and detail with the surrounding neighborhood; and providing vehicular access at the first level from a driveway combined with the hockey rink parking access point.
The structures visual impact on the surrounding area was further minimized through careful selection of colors and surface textures, as well as landscape buffering. Various kinds of screening were employed to block views to the interior and to control nighttime light spill. Precast pieces of the façade and the screens are colored grey-green, blending well with the landscape buffer. Brick and formed textures in the precast and lattice-like screening mediate the scale relationship with its residential neighbors. By limiting pole-mounted lighting to a pedestrian height at the center of the deck and adding low inward-oriented perimeter lights, light spillage off the top deck was controlled.
Noted Partner Joseph Schiffer, AIA, of Herbert S. Newman and Partners, principal-in-charge, Every effort was made to keep a low profile by taking maximum advantage of the site, developing a design approach and selecting materials that combine to create a minimal impact.
Founded in 1964, Herbert S. Newman and Partners provides a full range of master planning, programming, architectural and interior design services. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the firm has established an international reputation for the design of new buildings as well as the renovation and restoration of landmark buildings. Herbert S. Newman and Partners is the recipient of over 80 awards for design excellence, including five national AIA Honor Awards and 23 AIA/CT Honor Awards. For more information about the firm, visit the website at www.hsnparch.com.