Retro-Futuristic Automotive Oasis: GARAGE's Immersive Car Culture Experience

Nestled in the basement of the Poly Theater in Shenzhen's commercial district, GARAGE is a multi-functional commercial space that has transformed a traditional car park into a hub for car culture. Designed by DDDD Creative Company, this project blends vintage automotive aesthetics with futuristic elements, creating an immersive experience for car enthusiasts.

Unlocking the Secrets of GARAGE's Cinematic Automotive Underworld

Retro-Futurism Meets Car Culture

The concept of retro-futurism serves as the foundation for GARAGE's design, seamlessly blending vintage automotive culture with futuristic elements. Drawing inspiration from the industrial era and retro influences, the space features a range of materials, including oxidized brass, vintage tiles, old shop gates, and American neon signs. The addition of a UFO-themed gas station and the use of silver materials and aluminum textures add a futuristic layer, creating a captivating contrast that blurs the boundaries between the past and the future.

Cinematic Spatial Narration

Inspired by the narratives of Hollywood films, the design by DDDD Creative Company follows a cinematic approach, creating an atmosphere akin to a modified car underworld. The space is divided into three distinct zones, each with its own unique identity. The front zone features a black driveway entrance, the gray middle zone consists of a commercial street with cement and stainless steel finishes, and the back zone is dedicated to used car trading with gold accents. These three levels correspond to the backgrounds of the three different classes of characters in the storyline: the car trader, the street driver, and the boss.

Engaging with Local Culture

As the first vintage garage complex in the Greater Bay Area, GARAGE also engages with the local culture, particularly Shenzhen's identity as a youthful and fast-paced city. The space serves as a car-mediated vault for classic and modified cars, offering car enthusiasts an immersive experience that celebrates the city's vibrant automotive scene.

Cinematic Spatial Experiences

The design of GARAGE is meticulously crafted to create a cinematic spatial experience for visitors. The entrance to the underground garage features a striking round illuminated fixture inspired by 1950s-60s American flying saucer-shaped gas stations, immediately setting the tone for the space. Columns in the area are reimagined as semi-circular lamp panels with mirrors, creating a futuristic and eye-catching effect.

Blending Retro and Modern Elements

The underground café is positioned next to the car wash and maintenance shop, allowing customers to watch their vehicles being serviced while enjoying a cup of coffee. The café design features a warm palette of caramel wood tones, pink marble, and black limestone floors, paired with vintage furniture and vinyl records to create a cozy, retro atmosphere. Separate sections for vinyl and cigars further enhance the experience, catering to the diverse interests of car enthusiasts.

Vintage Automotive Aesthetics

Adjacent to the café, the car accessories shop features an old iron scissor-shaped gate, echoing the vintage garage style of Hong Kong and Taiwan. Inside, lacquered wood and marble finishes contrast to create a high-end, vintage aesthetic. The car wash area continues this industrial theme, with black tiles, grey walls, and aluminum panel doors. Large, black iron-framed windows contribute to a mechanical industrial assembly line feel, referencing Chicago's architectural style.

Futuristic Car Tuning Experience

Inspired by the 1985 sci-fi film 'Back to the Future,' the car tuning room uses aircraft aluminum and LED screens to create a space that evokes time travel. The folding doors and circular light panels enhance the futuristic atmosphere. As cars are elevated by electric lifts, mirrored walls reflect the vehicles, creating an illusion of movement through time and space, transforming the experience into a cinematic journey.GARAGE's design seamlessly blends retro-futuristic elements with modern features, creating an immersive and captivating environment that celebrates the rich history and future of car culture. This unique space offers car enthusiasts an unforgettable experience, transporting them to a world where the past and the future converge in a harmonious and visually stunning display.