A love of restoring crap to its prior glory directed a professional Porsche driver to build this unbelievable garage. The 3,981-square-foot space is dedicated solely to his sets; all here was trashed at some point but now excels after careful restoration. Gelotte Hommas Architecture assisted design and build the space, smack dab in the midst of a residential neighborhood on Mercer Island at Seattle. It keeps an unbelievable collection of restored automobiles, uninstalled racing paraphernalia and one of a kind art made of recycled materials.

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

The bottom floor of the garage is dedicated to working on and displaying the homeowner’s impressive car collection. Architects Curtis Gelotte and Scott Hommas had to make room for over 20 cars, so that they installed two degrees with hydraulic lifts.

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

The homeowner had a distinct style in mind before construction started. “He didn’t want it to be a big, blank garage,” states Hommas. “He wanted it to be interesting.” Elements of shingle-style houses, cabins and farmhouses unite in a unique structure that fits amazingly well in to its Pacific Northwest neighborhood.

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

Hommas and his staff dedicated a portion of the space to residential living, to comply with local zoning requirements. On the other hand, the garage takes up over three-quarters of the total square footage, and its purpose was highlighted through design and layout. Natural stone accents on the front of the garage give it a softer look, but an old-school gas dispenser makes it clear what lies inside.

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

Instead of any decorative focal points, the client hung up an older helicopter that he had restored. Hommas used a very simple winch mechanism, therefore it can be lowered easily.

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

This crazy light fixture, hanging in a stairwell that contributes to the two upstairs rooms, was built by a local artisan from different parts of cars and other pieces of recycled trash.

The client “is a small cabinet architect himself,” states Hommas. “He likes to become very concerned.”

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

The garage also hosts an impressive assortment of racing paraphernalia in the client’s decades. Almost all has some personal significance, including the car hoods hung on the far wall. Each hood comes from a car that the homeowner has pushed — several were wrecked during a race, and just the hood can be salvaged.

This sturdy bridge connects the two residential portions of the garage with a workout area plus a lounge-office combo.

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

Two more cases of the client’s affinity for amassing quirky items adorn the outside — a massive totem pole in the lawn and a huge rooster made of scrap metal over the front door.

“It is an interesting home, but it does not feel out of place,” states Hommas. “It actually does a very good job of blending in.”

Next: Another car lover’s guy cave kicks in to high-luxury gear

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