Podium parking is generally located below a raised platform that provides outdoor space for dwellings within the block, and efficiently conceals the parking below.
Guidance
Locate in centre of blocks: Aim to locate the podium within the centre of the site/ block and maximise activity on streets around the perimeter to ensure natural surveillance and active streetscapes.
High quality outdoor spaces: Podiums should provide high quality outdoor space that includes trees and planting within private or shared outdoor spaces, or a combination of the two.
Active ground floor façades : Any elevation fronting onto a primary or secondary streets should be activated through the locating of communal facilities, ground floor dwellings, and/or complimentary uses such as small commercial or retail units at the ground floor.
Attractive and secure entrances : Consider the use of digital/remote access to vehicular and pedestrian entrances to optimise security of parking areas.
Attractive gates / ventilation areas: Use high quality bespoke screens/gates to create distinctive feature, and provide good natural lighting and ventilation into the car park.
Accessible : Aim to provide a direct wheelchair accessible route from the parking area to dwellings.
The apartment block in Accordia (Cambridge) uses a podium approach, where the parking is incorporated at ground floor level, below a raised gardens at first floor. Such podium solutions provide an attractive opportunity to conceal parking in the core of the development block, and provide either communal or private external space for apartments.