Lofty Automotive Ideas


German Architects are about to build the first Car Loft.
The acropolis of transportation engineering and home of arguably the greatest four wheel creations in history has taken the next step towards composing the ultimate ode to the automobile: the car loft. German architects Manfred Dick (who sought a patent for his concept) and Johannes Kauka are about to break ground for what promises to be a wet and steamy dream for car enthusiasts and safety minded yuppies alike.

Link: CarLoft [Thanks, Mom!]
Link: Heuer (pdf)

CarLoft©<

No longer are you required to park your Z8 alongside that wannabe with the M3 in the common undergound garage of the central Berlin bulding where your sleak modernist loft is located. Now you drive straight on into the car elevator (that promises to even be able to fit a Bentley… I TOLD you not to buy that ugly Hummer, man! What? You saw an ad in Dwell and you thought… geeesh!), push the button, and off you go into a Jetsonian futurama dream of parking your car outside your penthouse. The architects point out that safety and comfort are two of the major advantages that come with this garage concept. Unloading the groceries and the twins is now easier than ever (for the nanny), and your family is better protected from kidnapping or carjacking attempts (at home, if you only have one car…), which is why there seems to be a lot of interest from Israel and Russia for this idea.

CarLoft©

Ultimately, this is a pretty cool gimmick, hands down. The claims that it is more economically viable in certain inner city situations is probably based on creative accounting for the most part, but economies of scale might push this into a more affordable realm in the near future (i.e. cell phones…). And, if you cannot sleep at night, you can always go and sit in your Bugatti, and dream about flying in it… before you kiss it good night. However, if these Swiss grass powered cars are able to fly too, then the demand for this concept might run into some trouble shortly.


Comments Add Comments

mpf
Posted by Michael on 3/8/2006 3:46:00 PM

Nice idea. Jared Diamond says societies are falling apart, like the Incas (etc.) when an elite is not sharing the same consequences as the rest of society. (clean air, water etc.)This tops really everything.

Back to Top

Posted by Lloyd Alter on 3/9/2006 7:39:00 AM

This is not a new idea- they did it in Chicago 75 years ago at 35 East Wacker.

"Formerly known as Jewellers Building, Pure Oil Building and the North American Life Building, it was created for the city’s diamond merchants and had an unusual security procedure. To reduce the chances that its tenants would be mugged walking between their cars and their offices, the building featured a central auto elevator. People would drive into this elevator and there were parking garages on the second through twenty-second floors. Jewellers loaded down with precious stones and metals wouldn’t have to be exposed to a potentially hostile exterior environment."
http://usa.archiseek.com/illinois/chicago/35_east_wacker_drive.html

Back to Top
We can alla buy nice cars after this
Posted by AHA on 3/17/2006 5:31:00 AM

good idea to save parking seats from the roads.

Back to Top
time to buy a new, nice looking car, so we ll be able to watch it keep an eye on while enjoing tv and cup of coffee
Posted by hh on 3/17/2006 5:34:00 AM

..

Back to Top
agree w/ mpf
Posted by eco-carrorist on 3/21/2006 5:31:00 PM

Yeah. I think that is the real problem in society. Its pretty bad. Every day you hear more about climate problems from scientists.

But putting my car hat back on. This is pretty cool! Too bad it probably costs a fortune, all for the convenience of not having to exert lots of effort RIDING THE ELEVATOR to your apartment.
found your article on <a href="motor.crispynews.com">http://motor.crispynews.com</a>

Back to Top
good but not energy efficient
Posted by varun t on 3/23/2006 4:46:00 AM

well the concept is good for handicaps..and makes design more flexible for sure..

wonder if there are some energy efficient methods to implement the same idea?

Back to Top
this is wonderful
Posted by Yianni Bellis on 4/2/2006 12:29:00 AM

what a great idea.

Back to Top
What a great idea!
Posted by paul dela paz on 4/11/2006 3:48:00 AM

what a brilliant idea excellent i like it, ur car is always safe, no problem with the parking

Back to Top
it'll be my husband and my dream come true...
Posted by teejay on 4/13/2006 12:48:00 AM

we're living in an apartment right now. it is quite difficult for us to park our car so far away from us because we are the true car lovers. this will be a great accomplishment. car lovers can take care of their cars and show off their cars in the 'garage' right by their living rooms.

Back to Top
Great Idea?
Posted by Regy on 4/19/2006 8:54:00 AM

It's really a new idea but not so great if we think in a building with say 8 floors and when in the morning everyone is trying to get to work at (almost) the same time!!! If the elevator hangs with a neighbour in it, upss!!! No joy ride for you!!

Back to Top
Good site
Posted by power of attorney on 5/17/2006 1:16:00 AM

Very good site.

Back to Top
agree with regy
Posted by al capp on 1/29/2007 12:26:00 PM

unless I'm missing something,if there's a limited number of elevators, I can't imagine the nightmare of getting in & out of your carpark in the am & pm. if theres a way to overcome that I think its a great idea

Back to Top
I hope i'm alive when we start living like this
Posted by Teekay Owolabi on 4/20/2007 8:57:00 AM

technology and views of what technology should be has advanced so much during these recent years, i personally love the design on the loft and it peeks into the startrek like generation where most things change, with the population increase in most countries these days this would be the best way to curb land deficit and this home design would save alot of space and incorporate a beautiful design as well, thats if you have a nice car, would be extremely efficient

Back to Top
MUITO BOM
Posted by WALMIR LEONARDO FERREIRA on 6/12/2008 3:25:00 PM

EM BELO HORIZONTE EXISTE UM COM 29 ANDARES É MUITO INTERESSANTE E FUNCIONA MUITO BEM A MUITOS ANOS.

Back to Top
bgktsv
Posted by Alexander on 7/23/2008 4:04:00 AM

http://dukedom.emewugi.info http://rouge-6.ewufieh.info http://belgium-1.ejysali.info http://dry-fork.emewugi.info http://girls-38.azeipyh.info http://cudiba.info http://knox-3.eniyra.info http://pics-43.eqexaky.info http://rich-6.cusmawo.info http://website-26.gabimku.info http://svetlana-metkina.exoatyk.info http://what-86.gabimku.info http://banking-4.awaqeof.info http://edwards-4.emewugi.info http://wet-5.gabimku.info
http://download-241.axepuly.info

Back to Top
Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevent to this blog entry.

Please note: Land+Living is journal of modern design. We do not sell the products featured on this website nor do we provide design-related services. If you are interested in more information about a product or service mentioned on this website, please contact the manufacturer via the links provided. Thank you!

Your Name:
Comment Title:
 
Add your comments:

Search:


Clippings


+ Archives



About
Advertise
Contact

RSS 2.0

Links:
Apartment Therapy
Archinect
BLDGBLOG
Cool Hunting
DesignBot
design*sponge
Funfurde
Future Feeder
Inhabitat
Loud Paper
MocoLoco
My Urban Garden Deco Guide Pruned
Reluct
The Dirt (ASLA)
Treehugger