Norfolk International Airport (ORF) – Garage D

To best serve the needs of travelers, employees and other guests, Norfolk International Airport (ORF) needed to not only provide additional parking space, but also create better connectivity to the terminal. Gresham Smith’s team of architects and wayfinding experts developed an innovative design for the 1.1 million-square-foot Parking Garage D, replacing an existing surface parking lot, consolidating rental car operations and eliminating the need for satellite employee parking and associated staff shuttle trips.

levels

3,200

parking spaces

1.1

million square feet

So Fresh, So Clean

The perimeter of the garage is architectural precast panels which are sympathetic to the existing campus aesthetic. The garage is made of cast-in-place concrete—42,000 cubic yards, with 2,600 tons of rebar. This structural approach provides the garage with completely unobstructed site-lines at any interior location, providing simple, intuitive wayfinding for patrons and reducing signage needs. The glass stairwells which are completely open on the interior give patrons a sense of openness and unconfined security. The garage’s white ceiling provides a clean, modern, well-illuminated space for passengers from the moment they enter the airport grounds.

Rain or Shine, There’s No Need to Worry

With direct access to the southwest end of the terminal, passengers can easily reach their destination without going back outside. Additionally, two new roadway entrance canopies will shelter visitors as they approach the entrance gate.

Smarter Than your Average Parking Garage

New technology and innovative thinking create an efficient experience for parkers. At multiple locations along the patron’s travel path, real-time total space counts and ADA space counts display the number of available spaces on each level. Also, a double-threaded helix circular ramp gives drivers easy access to each level. Additionally, 700 energy-saving LED light fixtures throughout the space enhance wayfinding and safety. Finally, new charging stations are provided for electric vehicle owners while they are away.

That’s A Lot of Spaces

The new parking garage houses 90-degree parking spaces with 2-way drive aisles. In total, the airport now has 3,200 daily long-term parking spaces. All that additional parking capacity will replace the existing long term surface lot, freeing up space designated for future expansion of the airport.

All Inclusive

For persons with a disability who are traveling, the garage’s signage and wayfinding system taps into the parking data, so it can display the number of handicap spots available. In addition to being shown at the entrance to the garage, this number is shown as a series of breadcrumbs along the customer journey and at each every level. Both Gresham Smith and the airport made certain to include this feature so the needs of all travelers could be taken into consideration to provide a positive customer experience and further the goal of persons with disabilities of traveling independently.