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The Volvo Circle Pavilion uses perforated Tyvek to mimic the feeling of sitting under a tree

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Located in South Korea, the Volvo Circle Pavilion presents a unique approach to outdoor spaces. Built on the principles of komorebi, or the phenomenon where light passes through the gaps in leaves, this pavilion allows people to gather in its shade, while using Tyvek facades with leaf-shaped holes that allow the sun to weave through, mimicking the feeling of basking under a tree!

Designer: Studio Heech

The Volvo Circle Pavilion’s most striking feature lies in its innovative use of materials. The pavilion is enveloped in a paper-thin and light Tyvek covering, a waterproof material with physical properties akin to paper. This Tyvek covering, far from being a mere aesthetic choice, serves as a canvas for intricate patterns. Crafted by cutting the material with precision, these patterns cast three-dimensional shadows reminiscent of dappled sunlight filtering through leaves in a forest—a captivating metaphor for the play of light, or “Komorebi.” (Japanese word for sunlight, which is filtered through the leaves of the trees.)

What sets this Pavilion apart is its commitment to a circular and sustainable material lifecycle. The Tyvek covering, after serving its purpose, is dismantled and repurposed into recycled plastic boards for public furniture. This innovative approach to recycling not only minimizes waste but also breathes new life into materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

The creation of the Pavilion was a collaborative effort that brought together craftsmen, engineers, and makers from various fields, united by a shared ambition for sustainability. Front INC, renowned for its expertise in crafting minimal and lightweight structures, collaborated with DSLSM, known for its eco-friendly works using Tyvek material. Together, they orchestrated a symphony of sustainable design and material innovation.

A key strategy employed in the construction of the pavilion was prefabrication, where almost all elements were fabricated off-site and then assembled on location. This approach not only streamlined the construction process but also significantly reduced the environmental impact and carbon emissions associated with traditional on-site construction methods. This is an upcoming method of construction as the contemporary methods are the most significant contributors to GHG emissions, accounting for one-third of global carbon emissions, one-third of global resource consumption, and 40% of global energy consumption.

The commitment to sustainability doesn’t end with the pavilion’s construction. The minimal steel structure that supports the pavilion is disassembled and reused, ensuring that every element finds a new purpose. Puzzle benches, crafted from forged and neglected structural wood, are fully recycled and generously donated to elementary schools, daycare centers, and children’s libraries in the Seoul area. This goes beyond mere recycling; it’s a commitment to meaningful reuse that benefits the community. The modular design of these benches facilitates efficient stacking and transportation of larger pieces, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, their water-resistant features and chamfered edges make them ideal for children.

The Volvo Circle Pavilion in South Korea stands as a beacon of sustainable architecture, showcasing that beauty and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously. From its lightweight Tyvek covering to the recycled plastic boards and donated puzzle benches, every element of this pavilion is a testament to a circular and eco-conscious approach to design and construction. As we celebrate the Volvo Circle Pavilion, we are reminded that the future of architecture lies not just in grand designs but in the thoughtful and sustainable use of materials that shape our built environment.

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2023 Volvo S60 Recharge review

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PROS:


  • Clean looks

  • Frugal power

  • Great sound system

CONS:


  • Uneven power delivery

  • No Android Auto

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

A great driving, great looking, and of course incredibly safe sedan that will serve you well until you're ready to jump over to join the EV lifestyle.

The current generation S60 is getting a little long in the tooth. Introduced in 2018 and iterated over the years since, in 2023 it’s all a bit familiar. That’s especially true with a swath of interesting cars starting to make their way over the Swedish horizon, electrified offerings following in the footsteps of Volvo’s all-electric X40 Recharge and the upcoming EX90.

But, for those who aren’t quite ready to commit to the battery-electric lifestyle, Volvo’s current plug-in Recharge powertrain, as seen here on this S60, is a compelling choice. With an estimated 41 miles of range and 455 horsepower to boot, it’s both fast and potentially frugal, a no-compromises sedan. Or… few compromises, at least. Does it stand up in the face of newer, fresher competitors, especially in a market where the humble sedan is increasingly verboten?

Design

On the style side, Volvo’s attempting to freshen up the S60 with what it calls the Black Edition. It is simply but appropriately named, and if you like things that are colored black, you’re going to love this. The car is, of course, black, but so too the wheels and the trim and even much of the branding

It’s black-on-black to an extreme, to the point where a friend likened it to Knight Rider. This thing is rather more modern looking than a 1980’s Pontiac Trans Am, though — even if the current design of the S60 is now turning five. That’s old for a car with premium aspirations, where fresh looks are an important element of prestige, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is still a very good looking car.

Though many of the details are lost in the monochrome stylings, those Thor’s Hammer headlights look great, situated low on the car’s steeply angled nose, either side of a grille that features a grid-like pattern that contrasts nicely with the otherwise subtle shape of this sedan.

Things have a generic flow over the front fenders before getting interesting again with the pronounced creases above the rear wheels, my favorite design cue on the entire machine. Out back, a subtle lip protruding from the trailing edge of the trunk lid helps add some personality to the posterior, while the big, bold tail lights continue the trend set by the headlights. They’re also incredibly hard to miss, a safety feature in their own right.

Personally, I’ll always be more of a fan of these lines as applied to the V60 wagon, but I can’t deny this sedan still looks fresh, even if the Black Edition makes its most notable shapes a lot harder to spot.

The black-on-black theme continues to the interior, though some of the brightwork has survived here to break up what would otherwise be a very monotonous place. The S60’s interior got a bit of an up-do in 2022 with the introduction of Android Automotive, a very mild refresh that still looks quite nice. The knurled and polished metal band across the dashboard here highlights the shape of the dash and leads nicely to the Bowers & Wilkins speaker grilles embedded on the doors, though the highlight is the central tweeter poking out of the middle of the dash. It’s an excellent sound system and well worth the $3,200 up-charge.

Leather sections lead subtly to textured rubber expanses in an interior that’s generally full of nice materials, only a small section of dust-magnet piano black plastic surrounding the central shifter cheapening things up a bit. But, the Orrefors Sweden crystal knob itself still adds a good dose of class to the joint.

Sadly, the drive mode roller knob that formerly lived ahead of that shifter has gone, which means if you want to go from Hybrid to Power to Pure to Constant AWD modes you’ll need to go digging into a sub-menu in the 9-inch touchscreen. That’s a disappointment if you like to toggle through modes as frequently as I do.

That touchscreen runs Android Automotive, not to be confused with Android Auto. Automotive brings the full Google experience right into the car. Sign in and you can directly install apps like YouTube Music and Spotify to run natively with or without your phone. What it does it does well, offering easy access to your address book, contacts, even calendar appointments so your car will probably know where you want to go before you even tell it.

Sadly, there’s a lot of stuff it still doesn’t do. App selection is still a fraction of what’s available on Android Auto and it just doesn’t seem to be growing. Meanwhile, in-car features like the 12.3-inch virtual gauge cluster don’t have nearly the breadth of customization nor the depth of available information found on competing systems.

Android Automotive does pair nicely with that gauge cluster and even the heads-up display, so you have full navigation instructions everywhere you look. And, crucially, Google has finally added Apple CarPlay support, so iPhone users will have easy access to all their phone’s media. However, if you’re an Android User, Android Auto is still missing and, along with it, its hundreds of compatible apps.

Moving back to the more tangible aspects of the car, front seats are eminently comfortable and customizable, and the heaters built into them as well as into the steering wheel are among the most powerful in the business. Truly a blessing on a chilly morning.

Rear seating is slightly less accommodating but still quite comfy, with decent headroom and plenty of legroom and, yes, powerful heaters back here, too. There’s a small pass-through between the seats for skis or similarly skinny cargo, but both seats fold flat at the touch of a button, expanding the S60’s paltry 11.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. That the V60 offers 22.9 with the seats up is yet another box in the wagon’s favor in my book, but if you’re the sort who prefers a trunk to a hatch, it’s workable.

Driving Dynamics

The S60 is far from a sports car but, with 455 hp and 523 pound-feet of torque on tap, it certainly gets up and moves like one. Most of the time, anyway. The powertrain here is a little complicated. Up front you have a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 312 hp on its own. That power exclusively goes to the 19-inch front wheels, here wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires.

Out back you have another, wholly separate powertrain. This is a 143-hp electric motor that drives only the rear wheels. Put the car into Pure mode and it’ll pull from the 14.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack to move you silently and emissions-free. Volvo says you can get 41 miles on a charge and I actually did slightly better in my testing, despite the cold this time of year. That battery charges via a level-two charger, so if you make a lot of short trips and can plug in between them you could be looking at a very good fuel economy.

However, tap into the maximum power delivered by the gasoline engine up front and you’ll probably be looking at something closer to the 30 mpg city, 33 highway that the EPA rates the S60 T8. In my testing, which included a fair bit of all-EV driving tempered by equal amounts of spirited driving, I averaged 35.5 mpg. That’s quite far for a car this heavy with this much power. But again, you could do a lot better if you’re a frequent charger.

Again, this is a complicated powertrain and on the road it unfortunately feels a bit complicated. In EV-only Pure mode the car actually has good torque and is reasonably quick, only feeling flat when you get up to highway speeds. Put the car into Power mode and things get rather more lively. The engine fires up and you get maximum power and responsiveness.

The ultimate power in this mode is very strong, but the delivery still leaves a bit to be desired. At lower speeds, when the engine’s eight-speed transmission is in a lower gear, the car surges forward smoothly and powerfully. But, sometimes you catch that transmission in the wrong gear. Put your foot down and you get a quick kick of torque from the electric motor. Then, everything seems to pause as the transmission drops a few cogs and the gasoline engine joins the party unfashionably late. For the driver it’s an awkward feeling. For the passengers, it’s downright nauseating.

You can learn to drive around it with a little bit of extra care, not unlike dealing with a car with a laggy turbo, but it also impacts the handling. When pushing through a corner, getting on the throttle aggressively can result in either the front or the rear losing grip first depending on which drivetrain has more torque to offer first.

The core handling of the car, though, is certainly quite tractable. There’s a fair bit of body roll, no surprise given the 4,425-pound curb weight, but those Pirelli don’t give up their grip easily. Overall, the S60 offers a good balance of comfortable cruising with just enough engagement in handling to keep things fun.

For quieter times, there two other drive modes: Hybrid which is what the car falls over to when the battery charge is depleted, and Constant AWD, which ensures you’ll have both powertrains working together. This is very useful for ensuring reliable behavior in low-grip situations like snow or ice.

Pricing and Options

A base Volvo S60 Recharge Core starts at $52,345. What you’re looking at here, though, is an Ultimate spec car with the Black Edition package. The Ultimate spec adds key features like Volvo’s Pilot Assist active safety system, including adaptive cruise, plus niceties like the heads-up display and 360 camera. The Black Edition starts at $57,950, though the black paint itself is another $695 on top of that. Add $3,200 for that Bowers & Wilkins sound system, $750 for the climate package (which heats the steering wheel, rear seats, and washer nozzles), plus a $1,095 destination charge, and you have an out-the-door price of $63,690.

To me, the notion of having a Volvo without all the active-safety features would be a strange one, so I’d suggest stepping up at least to the Plus. The $2,700 premium over the Core gives Pilot Assist and the 360 camera. But, if you have the budget you can step all the way up to the $69,225 Polestar Engineered flavor, with better suspension and better brakes.

The S60 Recharge’s value sweet spot is definitely closer to Plus than Polestar, but you do you. Regardless of flavor, you’re getting a great driving, great looking, and of course incredibly safe sedan that will serve you well until you’re ready to jump over to join the EV lifestyle.

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Versatile Volvo Lifestyler trolley adapts to homeowners’ dynamic needs

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Smart furniture and modern-day gadgets have made their unique space in modern living for good measure. So, how about fusing these two for a piece of furniture that’s mobile and ultra-compact?

This proposed trolley concept for Volvo, strives to inculcate a broad spectrum of options into one rig, so you don’t have to buy multiple products. One of the great advantages is space-saving aesthetics that outshine any other merit, on any given day.

Designer: PDF Haus

Conventionally Volvo would refrain from creating any sort of smart furniture, but if they reconsider, this Lifestyler trolley would be it. Focusing on work-from-home regimes keeping the environment and futureproofing in mind, the smart furniture piece comes with the brand’s focus on safety. The rig naturally blends into your lifestyle and expands the options for use courtesy of its flexible usability.

There’s enhanced work support with the Workpad to quickly take notes or manipulate the application interface with touch. This works in conjunction with the storage tray that adapts to the preset daily routines. The functionality is further expanded with a smart alarm & clock to keep a check on To-Do lists or schedules. Lighting on the trolley can also be toggled depending on the situation, such as during work, study, or creative leisure tasks such as painting.

The trolley can morph into multiple configurations, thus making it well-suited for any office, home office, or accompanying workstation desk. All the different smart modes can be toggled via a touch interface marked P, D, M and R. On the back side, there is space to keep important files and documents without any visual intrusion. The cables are also cleanly managed on the bottom rear to eliminate any visual clutter. Those bigger trays on the inside can also be configured according to need with the space separators to keep everything organized as desired.

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This Scandinavian-inspired SUV concept celebrates everything that Volvo and Polestar stand for

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The boxy nature of the Volvo XC concept seems like a hat-tip to the Swedish company’s humble design beginnings, although that modern, minimalist appearance feels a lot like the Polestar ethos was also brought to the table. The result, however, is an SUV that looks fantastic. The clean design doesn’t look boring, and there are enough subtle details to guide the eye and keep people transfixed. Truly a masterclass in Scandinavian automotive design, and a lesson that all automotive brands should consider taking.

Designer: Chris Lah

I’m resisting the temptation to bring the Cybertruck up as a comparison only because it seems overdone at this point in time, but then again, it seems to be the only apt comparison apart from Canoo’s own cars. The XC’s design boasts of a similar cleanness but doesn’t distort the car’s silhouette to the extent the Cybertruck does. It’s minimal without being abstract, is what I’m trying to say. The Volvo XC comes with simple 3D surfaces, punctuated by parting lines galore that add their own distinct flavor to the car. The headlights are almost a hat-tip to Polestar’s automobiles – although that isn’t really much of a surprise considering Volvo is Polestar’s parent brand. The taillights, on the other hand, feel unmistakably Polestar.

The Volvo XC concept gets its name from the XC90, which it shares its wheelbase with. However, unlike the XC90 which hugs the tarmac, the latter hs much higher ground clearance, rivaling the 2021 Ford Bronco. The inspiration for the XC’s aesthetic has strong roots in Scandinavian minimalism – a distinct design ethos that’s arguably one of Sweden’s biggest contributions to the world of design. In that pursuit of minimalism, the XC does take quite a few cues from its sibling, the Polestar Precept. Especially the nude metallic finish, the embracing of dynamic parting lines, and even the car’s rims, which are a hat-tip to the Swedish flag’s design.

The XC, however, isn’t made for the urban setup the way the Precept is. Its larger-than-life persona and high ground clearance indicate the fact that it can easily dominate any sort of terrain. The SUV clearly runs on an electric powertrain, given the absence of a grille on the front or exhaust at the back. It also sports a massive boot-space, perfect for carrying your outdoor gear with you, and boasts of panoramic windows as well as a tinted roof that immerses you in whatever space you’re driving through, be it city roads or even mountainous terrain.

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Volvo’s edgy electric coupe for urban lifestyle and luxurious commute

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Volvo is looking strong for its vision of the electrified future with five more models slated to join the XC40 all-wheel-drive version. As per Ian Flecher, HIS Markit auto analyst, Volvo is on course to go all-electric by the end of 2030. In tune with this vision, a refreshing Volvo EV sedan beckons on the horizon for zero-emission travel.

Created as a weekend project by the designer, this sustainable vehicle design is surprisingly rooted in a telephone doodle inspiration. Of course, the classic Volvo cars from the eighties are the inspirational force for the elongated design. The low ride height suggests its highway driving limits, since it could not possibly be made for off-roading adventures.

Designer: Till Schmitz

The typical electric car aesthetics are apparent in the form of a sharp, edgy design language. The hood of the car has a geometric pattern that gives it a sci-fi appeal and the rear has a typically squarish persona to it. Right from the headlights, side profile to the taillights and the roof carrier all have a definitive geometry to them. The designer has kept the widebody stance of this Volvo very upfront, suggesting its dominating road presence.

Those aerodynamic sidepods and the intimidating presence of the Volvo EV hint at its powerful drivetrain to match the looks. While it’s not clear whether the ride is a four-seater or a bolder two-seater coupe, either way, it seems laden in comfort, luxury and user-centric technology on the inside. The side cut-out for the single doors on either side suggests I take a bet on a two-seater configuration.

Overall Volvo’s blueprint has a balanced feel to it, and all likely to attract automotive design pros in-house as well as from other renowned vehicle manufacturers. Oh yes, not to forget the budding automotive designers who’ll be eying this cool design for their own concept inspirations.

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Volvo, The Local Project presents a brand-new idea of travel and leisure for urban nomads

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People are embracing tiny lifestyle far quicker and more aggressively than ever before. This movement has picked up pace especially during the pandemic when remote working has become a new normal. People are now investing in campers and tiny homes to lead a city-esque, comfortable life in remote locations. To cater to this generation of urban nomads, a designer has conceived Volvo, The Local Project.

Well, the name basically gives out a clear idea of the project being linked to automotive giant Volvo. Perhaps, the involvement is not limited to name, the designer has even drawn cues from the Swedish manufacturer to realize the interiors and optimally use the limited space available. Thriving on Volvo’s design language is one aspect, the Local Project is conceived with the vision to create a balanced lifestyle of urban and rural life. So, the contraption is packed and tailored with posh amenities to ensure residents don’t feel the change from their luxury homes and can settle in the Local Project irrespective of where it is stationed.

Designer: Oscar Holm Wastesson

The project’s divided into two elements: A light edition camper van (ideally a Volvo at the base), and a shared cabin network meant to be set up at various different locations. The idea of this compilation is simple. To allow and user to explore and understand the quality of life of wherever the journey leads to. Even though the Local Project camper van does not foray into the rugged domain of reinforced Mercedes off-road camper nor do the cabins display stripped down ergonomics of this all-back mini home; these are designed in the league of their own where things start at the exquisite wooden interiors and lead to a uniformity of lodging, ensuring – at no point in the journey – you are devoid of the city lifestyle.

To that accord, the camper has an immaculately laid out form factor with a seat for the couple in a cockpit and a luxurious double bed at the back that can conveniently flip to create an office space. This is a single room on wheels – “embodying the Volvo mission of freedom to move” – but ties the occupants to city dwelling even through their transit from home to a Local Project cabin in the countryside. At the pre-set cabin, users are aware to expect the obvious luxuries, unlike the surprises in countryside vacation rentals. With this approach to tourism, Volvo, The Local Project ensures the residents can explore the locale with utmost curiosity, least niggles and complaints about logging in the home away from home.

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Volvo Space proposes a futuristic user-centric travel solution that goes from land to water and even air

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Space the size of a shed that can fly in the air like a big quadcopter, tread through water like a speed boat, and commute on road like other lounge car concepts we’ve seen. This is done via the docking mobility modules which give the user freedom to use the Volvo Space as the need arises!

Practical mobility that does more than just take one from destination A to B is the way for the future. There are plenty of vehicle concepts that are centered around the comfortable lounging experience supported by the airiness and tech-laden utilities. The Volvo Space however takes things a few levels higher with a vision of commuting people not just on the roads but on water and in the air too. According to the designer Joon-yeop Bae, the vision is to create a compact and comfortable space that is highly modular in nature- much like the mobile homes of the current era. It is about lounging, working, and entertainment without missing the cozy confines of the home.

Joon has crafted the mobility vehicle pod from the architectural perspective, hence, the use of lifting tatami structure for the interior design layout. So, we are talking about a space which will be a reading or working nook in the day, and a comfortable place to sleep by night time. The rotating ability of the structure brings to the equation multiple postures for different utilities via the pop-up table. To keep the users at peace in this comfort-driven world – there are wireless charging docks, interactive surround speakers, lamps, cup holders, and an extra basket. There are multiple lighting options as well to create the right ambient space as desired.

Exterior and the interior of the Volvo Space becomes blurred with the fully opening hinge which is ideal for a warm sunny day. The ceiling also opens up like blinds of a window to let more light inside for an airy feel. The overall design of this thought-provoking concept is interesting, and no doubt the project has won the 2021 Volvo Design competition.

Designer: Joon-yeop Bae

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This Volvo off-roader is spicing-up the three way battle with Tesla Cybertruck and Chevy Beast

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A Volvo off-roading SUV concept directly pitted against the bold Cybertruck which has been capturing our imagination ever since we first laid our eyes on it. Also, the Volvo XC looks to rival the eye-popping Chevrolet Beast that debuted at SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The bold Scandinavian design of the Volvo concept pictured here is apparent in the clean surfaces with a fused geometry of the simple shape. This dominating design language brings a timeless sophisticated look to Volvo XC. Automotive designer Chris Lah likes to express his digital creation’s visual domineer as comparable to the solid mass of Thor’s hammer and shield. It’s fluid yet rugged according to him. The front section of the electric Volvo SUV has a bullet profile for the nose – lending it an intimidating form. Since the SUV is electric powered, the front grill section is covered off. Bold Fender design is oriented and contrasted with a simple boxy geometric volume for a modern yet robust persona.

The panoramic windshield follows back to the rear of the car giving it a very airy feel on the inside, and a modern stance. This is in tune with the designer’s motive to create a vehicle that reflects the Scandinavian culture about being outdoors and enjoying nature. One cannot help but express respect for the monolithic gesture extenuated by the strong vertical and horizontal axis. As a result, the Volvo XC SUV turns out to be a minimalistic vehicle that builds on the Volvo DNA. Chris doesn’t hint about the positioning of the electric drivetrain or the electric battery, but the big hood suggests it is somewhere underneath it. Will it have space to keep things like luggage or other essentials for an extended trip, is still in the dark.

The headlights are designed in a way to let the air pass through to the batteries to keep them from overheating – thereby preventing temperature-related degradation in the performance of the battery. High ground clearance and a big chunky set of wheels on the electric SUV won’t stop me from categorizing it as a capable off-roader. I don’t see it struggling for grip or traction on tough terrain or slippery surfaces in rain or snow. In fact, it could be as capable as the Cybertruck or Chevy Beast!

Designer: Chris Lah

 

This Volvo 360c gull-winged design is a practical vision of ultra-safe Level 5 autonomy

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A self-driving Volvo concept that focuses the lens on Level 5 autonomous driving while keeping the overall vehicle design clean and practical for urban commuting in peak traffic conditions.

While Elon Musk is targeting Level 5 autonomy for his fleet of electric cars, the probability of achieving that is highly unlikely in the next couple of years. This level of autonomous driving will only be possible when the other cars and the roads will have synchronous communication capabilities. A plausible idea that will give all the future-forward autonomous concept cars with no manual driving components a chance of fruition.

The Volvo 360c autonomous concept is a byproduct of that very vision. At the core will be an ultra-safe communication standard that enhances the spatial awareness of the vehicle. Volvo has been akin to the traffic safety standards ever since the introduction of the three-point safety belt in 1959, this concept makes even more sense for the brand.

According to the designer Ivan Marin Lopez, complete autonomous technology will not be an overnight change – rather it will be a gradual process that’ll take a significant amount of time. When the technology is fully proofed, autonomous cars like Volvo 360c concept will be able to tackle mixed traffic situations without any human intervention. Passenger safety is at the forefront here, and the car is loaded with advanced sensors to ensure it is ready for any unforeseen situation on the road.

The gull-winged 360c will have a clutter-free interior that focuses on passenger comfort and an air of openness with the panoramic glass windshield. The boxy design of the electric concept is dominated by a balanced proportion of design that takes into account the crowded city streets. This is truly a classy, compact and appealing Volvo hatchback of the future which keeps its limits to the practical realms of automotive design.

Designer: Ivan Marin Lopez

The winning design of Volvo’s New Garage Challenge features a green curved roof and integrated solar panels!

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In honor of the debut of Volvo’s first pure-electric vehicle, the new XC40 Recharge, Volvo Cars Canada, and the Interior Design Show Toronto have chosen a winner for their New Garage Design Challenge. Canadian designers were told to rethink the function and design of the garage to then be judged based on criteria gathered by Maru/Blue. Reimagining the garage space as an interactive family space and biophilic greenway, Montreal designer Tiam Maeiyat’s Parking Parc was chosen as the winning concept for merging clean design with sustainability.

Parking Parc was inspired by the pun in its own name– Maeiyat reinterpreted the garage as both a space for parking the vehicle and as an actual greenway that resembles a children’s park. Shaped like a rolling hillside, Parking Parc provides a storage area for parked vehicles that rests beneath the garage’s grassy, recreational exterior. As currently conceptualized, photovoltaic panels punctuate the taller regions of the garage’s exterior, providing clean energy for Volvo’s XC40 Recharge to well, recharge, and enough energy to sustain the rest of the garage’s inside operations. Describing the design in his own words, Maeiyat notes,

“The garage may be the last place in a house one might consider for gathering or entertainment, which is exactly why my design celebrates light and transparency and links the inside and outside of the garage. By doing so, there are new possibilities around quality family time, regardless of time or season.”

While the functionality of garages cannot be argued, they’ve largely stayed the same in design and structure while the vehicles that remain parked inside of them have changed drastically over the years. The New Garage Design Challenge aimed to introduce a new way of looking at garages that fits the contemporary and energy-efficient nature of today’s vehicles. Tiam Maeiyat’s reinterpretation of the traditional garage turns to biophilic design and green roofing to help maintain the home’s natural landscape and grassy surroundings.

Designer: Tiam Maeiyat

Inspired by the rounded edges of Volvo’s XC40 Recharge, Parking Parc’s shapes into a rolling hillside.

Parking Parc’s green roof collects rainwater, purifies the air, reduces the ambient temperature, and saves energy.

“My design upcycles the garage space into a new form of the family room,” notes Tiam Maeiyat.

 

Flexible solar panels line the top of Parking Parc, providing the garage’s inhabitants with energy.