When a parking garage is considered a landmark in itself and used as the setting for fashion shows, music videos and orchestral performances, perhaps it’s no surprise that people are happy to hang out there for hours on end playing airbag. 1111 Lincoln Road by Swiss architecture firm Herzog de Meuron is a work of modern art, so it was a natural setting for Snarkitecture to show off some of their own designs.

Known for unexpected installations and temporary works of architecture, the Brooklyn-based collaborative practice set up a bright white game room on level 5 of the carpark, inviting users to play ball and compete side-by-side on two fully-custom basketball arcade-style shootout games.

Of course, what takes this installation to the next level isn’t just the fact that it’s located in a parking garage – it’s the stunning views of the Miami skyline that guests take in as they play. No worries about losing your ball over the side, as there are safety nets in place.

The garage itself is famed for appearing incredibly light despite its concrete construction, influenced by designer Jacques Herzog’s perception of Miami as “all muscle without cloth.” Some of the levels feature triple-height ceilings to accommodate special events with the city’s Art Deco district as a backdrop.

Most parking facilities are eyesores, designed with function in mind without paying heed to context or aesthetics. But in some cases, parking garages can be so innovative, high-tech, bright and – yes – even beautiful, that they’re notable works of architecture in and of themselves.

Detroit’s Michigan Theater

Built in 1926 alongside the connected 13-story Michigan Building office tower, the 4,000-seat Michigan Theater was once the jewel of Detroit, described as the world’s finest theater. But by the mid-1960s, it closed, partially due to a lack of parking – ironic, given its ultimate usage. The theater has continued to decay, but its beautiful shell remains intact as a three-level, 160-space parking deck.

72DP, Sydney

An extensive, colorful geometric mural decorates an underground car park in Sydney, Australia by architects Marsh Cashman Koolloos (MCK.) “The objective of the project was to breathe new life into the space which, having been rendered in concrete with little inlet of natural light, felt quite dark and heavy. Working closely with the owners, who possess a keen design sensibility, it was decided that the mural would cover all surfaces in a blanket of bright color. There was also a request that the larger wall surfaces be left blank with an eye towards potentially introducing additional, individually commissioned works at a future date. nevertheless it was vital that the installation feel and function as a complete work in its own right.”

Parkhaus Engelenschanze, Stuttgart, Germany

This light-filled parking garage totally gets rid of that creepy enclosed feeling that many of these structures can foster. The Parkhaus Engelenschanze features an all-glass exterior, and its inner courtyard even has a waterfall, a creek and curtains made of reclaimed glass.

The VW Tower, Wolfsburg, Germany

Two towering silos are used to store vehicles at Volkswagen’s production facility and Autostadt visitor attraction in Germany. Reaching 48 meters (157 feet) into the air, the towers contain up to eight hundred cars lifted into position by rotating mechanical arms.

Ballet Valet, Miami

You might not expect a parking garage to be among a city’s most impressive architecture, but in Miami’s case, the Ballet Valet really does stand out. Completed in 1996 by Arquitectona, the garage in Miami’s Art Deco district  is covered in grid-patterned fiberglass that serves as a terrace for climbing greenery. The garage sparked a trend in the city for well-designed parking facilities.

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Who would have thought that parking garages could be so beautiful? There are the stunning ruins of Detroit’s Michigan Theater – resplendent in its grand proportions and tragic decay – and then there are modern works of art like 1111 Lincoln Road by Swiss architects Herzog de Meuron.

(images via: dezeen)

Appearing incredibly light despite its primarily concrete construction, the design of the garage was influenced by Jacques Herzog’s interpretation of Miami Beach: “all muscle without cloth.” Bright and open, the structure is full of sculptural details with some ceilings triple the typical parking height in order to accommodate special events like parties, photo or film shoots, fashion shows and concerts – all against the backdrop of the Art Deco district of downtown Miami. It even serves as a dramatic urban setting for weddings, wine tastings and yoga classes.

(images via: nytimes, dezeen)

The garage and the adjacent former Suntrust bank building make up a new mixed-use facility that includes residences, 300 parking spaces, over a dozen shops and four restaurants including one on the roof. The closed 1970s Suntrust building contrasts with the layered negative space of the garage.

(images via: arcspace, 1111lincolnroad.com)

Some critics may say that the architectural attention given to this parking garage is further glorification of the polluting automobile, which should have a diminishing place in modern cities. Perhaps, to an extent, that’s true.  But not only does 1111 Lincoln Road transcend exclusive use as a car park, doubling as an event space and drawing as many gawkers as shoppers, it is not – like so many other parking garages – disposable architecture. 1111 Lincoln Road is valuable enough in itself to someday warrant preservation and rebirth into something new – when that fabled day of carless living finally arrives.