B29 creates "James Bond super garage" in Switzerland for a royal client
Two giant lifts are concealed in the base of this garage in Switzerland, providing access to a secret underground space where a member of a royal family stores vintage cars and motorcycles (+ slideshow).
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_4.jpg)
The subterranean garage was designed by Geneva studio B29 for a home near Lake Geneva, where the owner – an undisclosed royal – keeps his classic cars and motorcycles, including an Austin Healey Sprite.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_9.jpg)
The building provides security for the valuable vehicles, as well as freeing up space ground level to create a "paddock area" for manoeuvring.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_8.jpg)
"The first purpose of this building was to case a collection of motorcycles and luxury cars," studio founder Thomas Bregman. "It is kind of a man cave, or a James Bond super garage that our client ordered."
"We were interested in building a project like a tailor would cut a suit for his client," he added.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_7.jpg)
The two car-sized lifts are operated by giant electric pistons and are sheltered beneath a 7.5-metre-long pitched roof. This is supported at one end by a small semi-glazed enclosure, which can be used for extra parking and maintenance.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_5.jpg)
The linear roof is modelled on a 19th-century stable block, but instead of the traditional timber bracing, the structure is built from concrete and brick.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_2.jpg)
"Nowadays, the racehorses are replaced by powerful engines and special custom cars cherished by their owners," said the architect.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_3.jpg)
The pre-stressed V-beam was designed by Swiss firm SB Engineer to resist winter snow falls and strong winds.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_0.jpg)
Below ground, the internal conditions of the garage – including temperature, lighting and humidity – can be controlled from an app on the client's mobile phone. The app also delivers feedback on the building's energy consumption.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_936_1.jpg)
Similarly, an electric car is parked in the living room of a former carpenter's workshop in the Netherlands, which Rotterdam studio OxL converted into a home.
Photography is by Alan Hasoo.
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_2.gif)
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_4.gif)
![James Bond Garage by B29](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/11/James-Bond-Garage_B29_dezeen_3.gif)