York Hospital Parking Garage

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Location: York, Pa.

Type of Precast: Structural - double tees, spandrels, shear walls

Size: 440,000 sq. ft./1,440 spaces

Architect/Engineer: Tim Haahs & Associates
General Contractor: Alexander Building Construction Co.
Owner: York Hospital/Wellspan Health

Overview

Quick Points

• "Addition by subtraction" setbacks break up mass
• Architectural white/buff mix with medium sandblast
• Thin brick columns with cut stone-look bases

Hillside Garage Provides State-of-the-Art Parking for York Hospital

This new 1,440-space parking facility for York Hospital in York, Pa. replaced an existing 520 space parking, nearly tripling capacity and allowing functional circulation with separate, dedicated entries for physicians, staff, patients and visitors.

Sited on a steep hillside, with elevation changes of up to 40 feet, the six-level, 440,000 square foot building was cast in an architectural white/buff mix, along with standard structural gray for the double tees and girders, with a medium sandblast finish.  A permanent earth retention structure on the east and south sides comprising soldier piles, tie backs, and timber lagging provides support. From the hospital entrance visitors see only the top level of the structure.

Aesthetics

Through “addition by subtraction,” the perimeter has 15’ x 15’ set back notch corners that achieve an architectural effect and break up the mass of the building. An illuminated hospital sign on the notch facing the main thoroughfare in front of the hospital assures positive day and nighttime identification. Decorative fencing adds visual interest while increasing security for patrons.

The buff-color spandrels have simple reveals that provide shadow lines and scale. The spandrels facing the hospital drive also have diamond reveals and are topped with metal trellises. Metal finger columns attached to the spandrels break up the empty space, suggesting windows.

Thin brick columns with cut stone-look precast bases accent the perimeter. Buff precast panels with rectangular inset details cap the columns.

Design

The garage provides physician parking at grade, staff parking at the second and third levels, and patient and visitor parking on the fourth and fifth levels. The top, or sixth, level is reserved for valet parking and overflow. Smart terracing of the hill allowed four separate entrances; card-activated ramp gates keep traffic segregated within the garage.

A large central stair and elevator tower opening at the fifth level directs patrons toward the hospital entrance.  With a suspended metal roof over the doors, the elevator lobby is adjoined by a security office that is also finished with thin brick details. An economical punch-through stairway, which is formed in the center area of the 15’-wide double tees, provides floor to floor access at the far end of the garage. A metal awning on the roof protects the punch-through stairway.

Metal halide lighting keeps the garage bright for excellent visibility and maximum patron safety. The light reflects from underneath the unpainted 15’-wide double tees as well as the driving surfaces. The garage is designed to accommodate expansion with two more column bays for approximately 500 additional spaces.