A Place to Park

Here is an interesting article that talks about the development of garages as places. It is a Canadian article, but applys to our American garages as well. It is interesting to think about the development of a garage. Originally barns or other spaces were altered to allow a car inside to protect it from the elements. But, with the advancements of car exteriors, such protection from the elements is not needed as much. Yet, we still have 1, 2, 3, and even more, car garages. It is a testament to the reliance of our culture on our cars and a representation of the importance of cars that our society creates.

But there also has been the development of the garage into another place. No longer is it necessarily used to house a car, but rather for a work room, storage, or a gym (like pictured below). It is also a genderized place, as the article mentions: a male-dominated space. The author writes, "He notes that in the traditional sense, the garage is male territory. Women tend to allow freedom of the space to the male. Men, as the hunter-gatherers of the family, tend to fill up garages with their finds." But, he argues, women use it as well, mostly as a last resort to get things out of the house they do not want before they eventually make it to the dumpster.

Usually not included in the total square footage of a house on the market, it is interesting to note the importance of the garage as a place within in the home and its importance in our society.

autos.canada.com/news/story.html