Children’s Hospital Garage

Design Weaves into Fabric of the Community

The striking woven stainless steel skin of Cincinnati Children’s new garage takes its theme from the heritage of African basket weaving. Designed by DNK Architects, our partner in the Burnet Avenue Revitalization initiative, the garage contributes to a transition from the institutional campus to a neighborhood environment. The unique design and its relevance to its primarily African-American neighborhood captured the imagination of Cincinnati Children’s management, community leaders and residents.

The garage serves the patients and staff of Cincinnati Children’s new medical offices, the Herald Building, a mixed-use office and retail development, and additional hospital parking needs. Design and construction challenges overcome by the teamwork of DNK Architects and Al. Neyer included blending a structure of this size into a residential area, stormwater detention, the relocation of hundreds of feet of major sewer lines up to 42 inches in diameter and buried 28 feet underground, and the constraints of working on a very tight, heavily trafficked urban site.

DNK Architects and Al. Neyer also took the initiative to work with the Avondale Community Council to recruit area residents for entry-level and trade jobs on the site as well as subcontracts. Cincinnati Children’s garage is a welcome addition for patients, retail and restaurant patrons, office and professional staff, and the residents of a revitalized Burnet Avenue neighborhood.