When you consider how many of us are squeezed into the world's cities, London has over over 7.5 million people, Newyork packs in over 8. 1 million people and a city like Japan heralds a ridiculous 100.5 million people. In 2009 51,971,328 passenger cars were made, this gives you some idea about how many of us are driving cars. It is quite amazing that all of these people and all of these cars manage to coexist quite happily, and a lot of this is to do with ingenious parking structures.

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The Volkswagen Storage Towers

We are concentrating mainly on multi-storey car parking in this article, we also look at other concepts but we are looking at space saving and design. Car parks come in all sorts of shapes, styles, sizes and made out of all types of materials. Most car parks we see on a daily basis are hulking structures made out of grey concrete with basic entrances and exits and probably dont leave us in awe of their design. These 20 carparks might change your mind about just how beautiful and innovative a car park can be.

1. Car Park Tower - Hong Kong, China

This highly ambitious design took top honors at the Architectural Concours d Architecture competition.

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2. Car Park by is Architects -

Here's a totally tubular car park design from an agency based in Hong Kong, China.

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3. Helium Concept Car Park -

This one is quite an industrial design although not sure how practical it is.

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4. Abu Dhabi Car Park Tower -

Architect (Thom Faulders) has envisioned a most impressive car park tower with this design.

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5. Lift Car Concept - The Hang Out

It's been said that the cars of the future will take a somewhat smaller shape and size, if this is true - then the Lift car concept below will accommodate these future smaller cars.

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6. Multi Level Parking In India -

India has taken a modest approach with this parking structure comprised of a multi-level automated design.

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7. Solar Grove Parking Facility -

Here's a smart take on the traditional parking lot, a solar power generating structure. This is an actual parking facility in Texas built for Dell's computer corporate headquarters.

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8. Car Tower By Paul De Ruiter -

Here's a pretty awesome structure built by Netherlands architect Paul De Ruiter that takes the multi story garage and turns it into one sexy looking building.

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9. 1111 Lincoln Road Garage -

In Miami Beach the parking lot garage on 1111 Lincoln road is so awesome it has won numerous awards and accolades from various architectural and design organizations. See it below.

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10. Colorful Car Park -

This is one of my personal faves, the vivid and all color garage. Not sure where this one is located though.

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11. Greenway Self Park by Hok -

This is Chicago's very own sustainable parking facility built in the year 2010 that features a multi-story level and lots of eco friendly amenities.

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12. Santa Monica Park Garage -

Another colorful structure, this is the Santa Monica car park tower that also happens to be the world's first LEED-certified garage.

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13. Hong Kong Alternative Car Park Tower -

Here's a parking facility that looks nothing like what you have come to expect a car park to look like. This is not your granddaddy's car park tower.

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14. Burda Car Park -

Based in Offenburg, Germany this illustrious car park tower won the famed (RIBA award) which stands for the Royal Institute of British Architects.

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15. Marina City Car Park Towers -

Part residential tower and part car park, the bottom 19 floors house the cars in a visually stunning open platform.

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16. Car Park, France -

This is the only underground car park tower on our list and it happens to be located in Lyon, France. It's quite unique in style, concept and execution.

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17. Smart Car Park Europe -

Here's an all glass encased car park based in Europe that makes nice use of the multi-story design.

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18. Library Parking Garage -

This one is themed after a library complete with bookends at each corner and resides in lovely Kansas City. Dorothy and Toto would be proud.

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19. Michigan Car Park -

The famed Michigan theater (once grand and lovely) was initially set to be demolished but then later was turned into a 3 story car garage which now holds cars in high style.

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20. Car Park One, Oklahoma City -

This is by far one of the coolest car park towers found anywhere. It's located in Oklahoma City and looks anything but traditional. It looks like a garden office building instead of a place to park your vehicle.

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