The flanking wings of boxes are like motor cabins. The project’s contribution to the motor cabin typology is that a building type most commonly constructed on the edge of small towns, has been brought onto a property of lesser value in the center of a town, and asked to carry out the rudimentary functions of an urban building type-holding the edge of the street and the footpath, separating incompatible functions, accommodating ever changing uses, and forming an interior space.

The parking lot itself was designed by Douglas Duany who used salt tolerant, fast growing sycamores, which arch over the cars and frame the tower. This is Seaside’s only courtyard, and (when it is not used for parking) it has been used for parties and weddings. The entire group of buildings will be razed soon, as the rising value of the land demands a higher and better use.

Top: Map of Seaside showing the motor court in the block behind the commercial square. A rental office on 30-A forms the south end of the courtyard. Watercolor by the students and faculty of the University of Miami, School of Architecture.

Right: Plan diagram showing two ranges of cabins flanking
the interior court and parking lot.