Luxury Garage Design: How to Build A Showroom-Worthy Space for Your Cars

A garage is no longer just a place to park your car. For the modern automotive enthusiast, it is a curated space, an extension of personal identity, a showroom, a sanctuary, and in some cases, a social venue. Designing a luxury garage isn’t about simply pouring concrete and installing overhead doors; it’s about creating a seamless marriage between function, aesthetics, and a client’s unique relationship with their cars.

Few understand this better than the team at Archer & Buchanan Architecture, a firm known for crafting garages that are as meticulously considered as the homes they accompany. I discovered their work on social media and reached out to learn more about the luxury garages they have designed for their clients. Founding partners Peter Archer and Richard Buchanan, along with senior project manager C. Matthew Forsythe II, have transformed garages into architectural statements—bespoke spaces that celebrate the art of the automobile.

Luxury Garage Design: How to Build a Showroom-Worthy Space for Your Cars

Mercer Hill Farm Luxury Garage featuring Alfa Romeo themes, Photo by Jim Graham

Luxury Garage: Understanding the Client’s Vision

The journey to a luxury garage begins with a conversation. “Understanding a client’s specific needs and preferences starts with listening,” says Archer. “We ask about their cars, their lifestyle, and how they want to use the space.”

For some, a luxury garage is a minimalist museum, a quiet place where a collection of vintage Ferraris gleams under controlled lighting. For others, it’s an automotive workshop where engine bays are pried open and grease-stained hands tell stories. And then there are those who seek an all-in-one venue—a blend of showroom, lounge, and event space.

Forsythe emphasizes the importance of defining the goal early in the design process. “Is it to be automotive-minded, display-oriented, or a bit of both? Should it evoke a particular architectural style? These questions shape the final design.”

Gladwyne Garage & Guest Suite, Photo by Jeffrey Totaro

Placement and Orientation: More Than Just a Location

Beyond aesthetics, a garage must fit within the property’s flow. Buchanan highlights that placement is about balance. “For some, the garage is a statement piece, positioned prominently to showcase a collection. Others want discretion—hidden away to maintain privacy.”

Sunlight, wind exposure, and vehicular access all play roles in garage orientation. A tinkerer’s dream might feature a southern-facing structure with ample daylight, while a collector’s retreat might have interior glass walls that connect it to the main house, allowing prized vehicles to be admired even from the living room.

Forsythe distills it down to two primary considerations: “Procession and proximity. How does one arrive at the garage? Is it part of an auto-court? How does it relate to other structures on the site?”

Mercer Hill Farm Luxury Garage, Photo by Jim Graham

Blending Architecture with Landscape

A garage can be a large structure, but it should never overpower its surroundings. “Harmony with existing structures depends on reflections of scale, material, and proportion,” explains Archer. “It should complement, not compete.”

Buchanan describes a project where the garage was built into the landscape rather than standing apart from it. “At Mercer Hill Farm, the garage became the focal point of a formalized farm circulation plan. By incorporating garden walls and gates, we created a more enclosed courtyard that felt organic to the property.”

This sensitivity to integration extends beyond traditional builds. At Red Clay Farm, the firm repurposed a historic bank barn, using the upper level for an automotive showcase while maintaining farm storage below. “The most sustainable approach is adaptive reuse,” says Buchanan. “By giving new life to an old structure, we honored both the past and the present.”

Red Clay Farm, Photo by Angle Eye Photography

Materials: Balancing Durability and Character

A luxury garage must withstand the elements, but it should also age gracefully. Archer notes that material selection is critical. “We often use cast-in-place concrete, heavy timber, and natural stone—materials that patina beautifully over time.”

For the Mercer Hill Farm project, Buchanan selected English clay tiles for the roof, a nod to the site’s colonial heritage. “Timeless materials, like those used in historic structures, lend authenticity and durability.”

At Red Clay Farm, sustainability played a role in the choice of finishes. “Cement board and aluminum cladding mimic traditional materials while extending longevity,” Forsythe explains.

Today’s luxury garages are multi-purpose spaces capable of hosting everything from high-octane poker nights to sophisticated soirees. At Mercer Hill Farm, the garage serves as an unconditioned party space, with a wood-burning stove and walls lined with 24 ballroom chairs for effortless entertaining.

For some, the garage itself becomes an immersive experience. At Gladwyne Garage & Guest Suite, a sculptural staircase leads to a lofted gathering space, offering a bird’s-eye view of the client’s vintage collection. Sliding glass doors open the garage to an auto-court, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor space.

Arts & Crafts Garage, Photo by Tom Crane

Celebrating Craftsmanship: The Arts & Crafts Garage

One of Archer & Buchanan’s most striking projects is an Arts & Crafts-style garage inspired by early 20th-century English architecture. “We drew from period details—sloped buttresses, pebble-dash stucco, and bespoke timber framing,” says Archer.

But the real artistry lies in the details. The firm collaborated with master timber framers to create a structure reminiscent of Liberty London’s flagship store. “The Arts & Crafts movement celebrated craftsmanship, and we wanted to honor that philosophy,” Archer explains.

The Future of the Luxury Garage

As the world of automotive luxury evolves, so too does the concept of the high-end garage. Smart technology now plays a role, from automated lifts that maximize space to climate control systems that preserve rare vehicles. Hidden turntables allow for seamless maneuverability, and private club-style lounges transform garages into experiential spaces.

For Archer & Buchanan, the future is about refinement—elevating the garage from a utilitarian necessity to an architectural masterpiece. “A well-designed garage isn’t just a place to store cars,” says Buchanan. “It’s a statement of passion, a personal museum, and ultimately, a work of art.”

For more, visit Archer & Buchanan Architecture’s official website.