Arup was appointed to work with architectural studio UNISM to engineer an underground showroom for a private collection of eight heritage Aston Martin cars.

The cave-like design of the vintage car showroom, nested underground on a relatively small construction site, posed a structural engineering challenge. Enabling smooth manoeuvring in and out of the showroom was paramount as the cars participate in races across Europe. 

Arup provided geotechnical, structural, mechanical, electrical, road and public health design for this project, as well as other services including lighting design and cost management. To deliver both a solid structure and an impactful visual effect, our team devised a three-step solution for the curved walls, with the core structure made of reinforced concrete, a steel structure shaping the curvilinear walls, and a final layer of sprayed concrete. 

Combining traditional and digital parametric design methods, our engineers ensured the stability of the structure and added a rotating platform to help swiftly park the cars while maximising the use of available space. The car showroom harnesses sustainable energy: a ground source heat pump system powered by 100-metre-deep pipes keeps the showroom warm during the winter months. 

Digital tools unlock collaboration 

We used digital tools such as BIM 360, Revit and Grasshopper to optimise the project timeline and consider dozens of design options. Parametric design helped us to create and analyse as many as ten different design variants within our hour-long meetings. This work made it possible to calculate the size of the over three-metre wide skylight window necessary to make daylight the primary source of lighting in the underground showroom. It also informed the development of an integrated, subtle lighting scheme, creating a dusk-like glow inside that reduces electricity use and enhances the visitor experience. 

Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team equipped with parametric design skills enabled integrating complex geometries with the surrounding landscape through real-time form-finding process, resulting in a cave-like space hidden beneath the park.

Konrad Weka

Director, Unism

Harnessing sustainable energy sources 

Fully independent from the municipal heat and gas systems, the car showroom harnesses sustainable energy using thermal mass stored in the ground. Energy modelling conducted by our sustainability consultants helped identify the best sustainable solutions for the showroom’s HVAC systems. Our mechanical team designed a ground-source heat pump system powered by 100–metre-deep pipes to keep the showroom warm during the winter months. An underground water tank that collects rainwater is used to water the garden above the showroom.

Creating the perfect environment 

To ensure the perfect conditions to store a classic car collection, Arup had to overcome several challenges, including the risk of groundwater leaks from a river located less than 30 metres from the showroom. Our team designed a bathtub-like structure that shields the showroom from water and humidity. An integrated, nearly invisible HVAC system creates a stable microclimate with the required temperature and humidity levels. Our engineers also designed a car fume extraction system that can be connected directly to the exhaust pipes to draw the fumes out. 

The curved entrance to the showroom

The curved entrance to the underground car showroom.

Artist's impression of the showroom seen from above ground including the entrance

Parametric design helped us to design the 3m wide skylight.

Classic car at a Milie Miglia in Italy

One of the cars from the collection at a Mille Miglia race in Italy.