Masterpiece Residences: Car Collections and Fine Art in Luxury Architecture

Maybe you found your dream car at Barrett-Jackson. Perhaps you have a knack for collecting pieces from artists before they are discovered. Or maybe you are expanding a collection your family has cherished for generations.

No matter how you started your treasured compilation, you have the opportunity to showcase each piece in your next luxury home. By communicating with your architect about your goals during the discovery process and including necessary design details along the way, you can create a beautiful home for you and your masterpieces.

Share Your Vision During the Discovery Process

You’ve chosen a talented design team to be your partner in building your new luxury home. Make sure they know about your collection and its significance so they can incorporate it seamlessly into your home’s design. Be clear about your goals for your new home, and how you want to represent the masterpieces you’ve worked so hard to collect.

Be open about what you want displayed and how you want it displayed. For example, if you have a variety of ‘50s and '60s muscle cars, share how many you have and how you want to view them. Will they be driven on occasion or are they just to admire? The same idea applies to artwork. Share the sizes and number of pieces you want to display as well as if you have areas of your home in mind for specific pieces. Discuss if you want a collector’s room dedicated to your favorites or a sitting area in your garage.

Work with your team to develop a mood for your displays. Are you trying to recreate a sophisticated museum atmosphere or are you drawn to more organic displays that flow from one space to another? For the Whisper Rock Pueblo residence, the owner used reclaimed brick from an old car dealership to help create a nostalgic feel for his luxury garage. He even created a display wall featuring all the miniature cars he’s collected since he was a child.

Consider the Design Details for Displaying Your Collection

Work with your architect to think through how the collection will look after your home and luxury car garage are built. Your design team will be able to identify potential accommodations that need to be made to create a display you love.

Sightlines will be a crucial part of understanding how best to show your collection. If you enjoy the undulating layout of an Organic Pueblo-style home, for example, you will need to keep in mind where any vigas or load-bearing walls will be placed. You don’t want to block the view of an incredible piece.

The Stone Wash Residence transformed a traditional Organic Pueblo-style home into an Organic Modern style, keeping much of the natural shapes but with a more contemporary feel. The remodel includes a room with curved shelving specifically for the owner’s collection of American artwork and sculpture.

Think through the story you want to tell with your collection. How do you want to move through the displays throughout your home? There may be certain pieces that work well together, or you can showcase the evolution of an artist through the pieces you’ve collected.

For your car collection garage, you’ll want large-space construction so you avoid load-bearing poles–and any interrupted views of your vehicles or accidental door dings. Also, decide what kind of flooring you want. Low VOC epoxy coatings won’t have the chemical smell but will be durable enough to handle any oil or fluid leaks. Ensure your luxury garage and man cave is exactly what you envision by investing in custom, premium materials that align with the brilliance of your car collection. Vendors like Garaza Design in Scottsdale elevate garage interiors to an entirely new level.

Be Intentional About Your Lighting

Lighting is a crucial part of displaying your collection. Different angles can create a different feel for a piece of artwork. Create a museum-quality viewing experience with appropriate lighting for your treasured pieces.

Your lighting options will be different based on the medium, how it’s framed, and what other ambient light will be available. LED lights generally work well with most artwork and don’t emit UV or infrared light. Where possible, consult with the artist to get their feedback on how to best light the piece, especially with a three-dimensional sculpture.

You’ll need to be cognizant of window placement. Natural light is great for your well-being, but direct sunlight can be problematic for any artwork that can’t be protected by museum-quality glass, such as a tapestry or a sculpture.

For outdoor sculptures, install spotlights that bring the piece to life. Keep in mind any security lighting around your property so the two lighting sources work together. 

Regardless of where your pieces are displayed, include layers of lighting so you create the appropriate mood for the situation. You’ll want options for day, night, when you are entertaining, and when you are enjoying the space by yourself.

The Walnut Canyon residence in Northern Arizona boosts a luxury garage with a more modern car collection, including sports cars, off-roading vehicles, and vintage muscle cars. The garage features dimmable lights to better accommodate both working on vehicles, spotlighting favorites, and socializing in the space.

Upgrade Your Technology for Safety and Security

When putting your priceless artwork on display, aesthetics aren’t the only priority. Protect both you and your valuable collection with state-of-the-art circulation, security, and temperature controls.

Make sure you use fire-rated glass to protect individual pieces. If your luxury garage has a sitting area attached, a glass partition can keep your collection and your home safe while still providing easy viewing. You will also want to install a high-end ventilation system throughout your home. This will keep any exhaust out of your home and will also provide a fire suppression system by removing air from the room. No need for damaging water to put out a fire.

In addition to the standard safety features of your community and your home system, consider adding security to rooms with your valuable pieces. Install app-controlled cameras and locks so you can always have a view of your space, no matter where you are.

Work with Your Design Team to Plan for Growth

If you have a love for Porsche or Picasso, chances are your collection is never complete. As you work with your architect, let them know how you expect your collection to expand over time. Do you typically find a new piece every time you travel? Do you have your eye on the new model Lamborghini? With this information, your team can make sure you have the space you need to make this luxury custom home perfect for you.

Are you ready for a custom home that is also a work of art? The team at UDA, Ltd. is ready to work with you to create your perfect masterpiece. Tell us about your project today!