The automobile has shaped the appearance of our streets for 100 years now. At the same building types have been created to serve it. Parking garages and gas stations as new species of architecture and showrooms whose exhibition spaces and display windows are markedly different from the usual businesses have decisively changed the cities. This book is dedicated to this type of architecture, showing esthetic and technical solutions of the past few years. Not a few architects have been unmistakable car freaks (Frank Lloyd Wright), or been occupied with the automobile (Le Corbusier: Maison Citrohan), or have actually designed cars (Walter Gropius for Adler). This fascination of the profession can also be seen in the architecture built for the automobile today.
Since Carl Benz' 1886 patented three wheeled motorcar the automobile has changed public space more than any other invention. New building types had to be created to house the car when immobile, so when it is purchased, serviced or parked. From the beginning architects have transformed the purely functional buildings into landmarks, places of wonder and experience.
Automobile Architecture presents the most interesting contemporary showrooms, gas stations and parking structures. It becomes clear that a new paradigm has emerged, one that places functionality, aesthetics and sustainability at the center of the conceptualization of automobile architecture. The most interesting design concepts are featured from prominent as well as upcoming architects.