Maserati Helps Find Top Architectural Garages

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Maserati Design Driven winning entry, by Holger Schubert

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Maserati Design Driven winning entry, by Holger Schubert

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Maserati Design Driven winning entry, by Chris Altman

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2009 Maserati GranTurismo

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You've likely seen one of several 'dream garages' books or Web sites that single out certain garages mostly by their collection of cars inside, their sheer size and number of vehicles, or celebrity ownership.

To honor garage design itself rather than who or what's inside, Maserati and Architectural Digest magazine have sponsored a "Design Driven" competition that gathered about 125 entries.

The winning entry in the Existing Garage Category was designed by Holger Schubert of Los Angeles, in a new addition to a 1953 LA hillside ranch-style house. The room is designed like a gallery, with a minimalist look that draws focus to the car. Window walls display the car, while the 1,200-square-foot 'garage' is also its own studio, with a couch, TV, storage room, kitchen, bathroom, and library. The roof employs 47 solar panels, and walls are insulated with cotton fiber. There's even an 8'x12' aluminum-grating ramp that can be raised five inches at one end, allowing the car to be rolled out of the garage prior to starting.

The winner in the Concept Garage Category, like the existing winner, also views the garage as more of an exhibit space than a space for the pit crew. Submitted by Chris Altman of South Carolina, it features rotating floor carriages, eliminating the need to back out. The long-and-low garage is clad in limestone, with a reflection pool that's also functional, providing passive cooling.

For pictures of the Existing Garage Winner—with a Maserati GranTurismo inside, of course—the Concept Garage Winner, and the rest of the entries, visit www.designdriven.us. You'll also want to check out TheCarConnection.com's full coverage of the 2009 Maserati GranTurismo, including more photos, specs, and our editors' Bottom Line take.