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Michigan House Designed for a Collector of Whiskey + Porsches


In Birmingham, Michigan, a northern suburban neighborhood of Detroit, a distinctive residence redefines the relationship between architecture, privacy, and display. Designed by Khanna Schultz, the House for a Collector project caters to a collector with a passion for rare Porsches and fine bourbon, seamlessly integrating his prized possessions into the fabric of daily life.

Rather than conforming to the conventional approach of a monolithic suburban home, the architects fragmented the structure into a series of interconnected volumes, arranged symmetrically around a central courtyard. This design choice not only mitigates the visual dominance of a single large building but also fosters a dynamic interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces. The courtyard itself serves as a unique focal point, where automobiles and social spaces coexist in a fluid, open environment.

Modern house with large windows and brown exterior, surrounded by trees with vibrant autumn foliage and a well-manicured lawn.

Modern building with large, flat walls surrounded by trees with autumn foliage. A driveway leads to the entrance, and sunlight casts shadows on the ground.

Modern house with large windows and a brown facade, featuring an olive-green sports car parked on the driveway. Autumn trees with orange leaves are on the left.

A key departure from traditional suburban design is the positioning of the garages. Rather than being tucked away out of sight, they are an integral part of the courtyard, bringing the car collection into direct dialogue with the home’s living areas. This deliberate fusion of functionality and aesthetics challenges conventional notions of how vehicles and residential spaces interact, emphasizing the client’s appreciation for automotive design.

Modern house exterior with large glass windows, surrounded by a green lawn and vibrant autumn trees.

Modern building with large glass windows beside a row of trees and a grassy path under a clear blue sky.

Materiality plays a crucial role in shaping the home’s character. The structure is enveloped in insulated precast concrete panels – an industrial material choice more commonly associated with large-scale commercial buildings. Where sections of this concrete shell have been removed, weathered steel cladding introduces a warm contrast, adding depth and texture. Inside, a carefully curated palette of blackened steel, polished concrete, unpainted plaster, and pre-finished wood reinforces the balance between refined luxury and raw utility.

Modern living room with large windows, dark furniture, abstract artwork, and a decorative piano. Glass wall reveals a parked car in the adjacent area.

Sustainability is woven into the project through strategic design and technological integration. A high-performance building envelope, triple-glazed windows, and a geothermal heating and cooling system work in unison to enhance energy efficiency, ensuring the home is as environmentally conscious as it is visually striking.

Modern living room with large windows, dark grey sofas, a round table with red flowers, and a piano. Sunlight streams in illuminating autumn trees outside.

Modern interior hallway with large windows on the left, black cabinetry on the right, and a sleek black counter with chairs in the foreground. Sunlight streams in, casting shadows on the floor.

Modern kitchen with large windows, black island countertop, wooden dining table, and views of trees and neighboring houses.

Modern dining room with a wooden table, chairs, and a minimalist black kitchen. Large windows provide natural light. Artwork on wall, vase with branches on table. Greenery visible outside.

Minimalist interior with metal sliding doors closed on the right and a doorway open to a dimly lit room with shelves on the left. Walls and ceiling have a dark finish.

Beyond its architectural achievements, the home functions as a stage for the client’s curated collection. The whiskey display, concealed behind a steel-clad wall, emerges via motorized panels, offering a dramatic reveal when desired. This element of surprise adds functionality and theatricality, allowing treasured items to remain hidden or showcased at the owner’s discretion.

A wall of neatly arranged wine bottles in a dimly lit room with additional storage visible through an open doorway.

Minimalist hallway with dark walls and overhead lights leading to a softly lit doorway.

Modern interior with a study nook featuring a desk, chair, and bookshelf. In the background, a dining table with chairs and a vase with yellow flowers on a rug.

Minimalist interior with two sets of stairs divided by a wall; one ascending on the left and the other descending on the right, both with soft lighting.

Modern architectural interior with a narrow corridor featuring glass walls and a wooden floor, connecting two sections of a building. Horizontal beams are visible through the glass.

Inside, a monochromatic color palette and scaled back details lend toward the client’s wishes to feature their beloved objects, including the cars, curated furnishings and art, and the extensive whiskey collection. Unexpected details, like a floating bridge connecting the upper volumes and a hanging Jim Zivic hammock swing in the primary suite, add to the minimalist interior.

Modern room with dark walls, a suspended sofa facing a large window with autumn trees visible outside, and a linear fireplace on the left wall.

Minimalist living room with gray sectional sofa, lounge chair, and large window showcasing autumn foliage. Neutral tones dominate with a dark rug and simple decor.

Modern bathroom with matte black fixtures, minimalist design, large mirror, towel on a hook, and a freestanding tub next to a floor-to-ceiling window with a view of trees.

Modern minimalist bathroom with gray walls, large mirror, built-in cabinets, freestanding black bathtub, and wall-mounted sink with soft lighting.

Modern house exterior at dusk, featuring large windows and wooden beams. Warm lighting inside contrasts with the blue evening sky. Sparse trees with autumn leaves are visible in the courtyard.

Modern building with large glass windows revealing a bright interior with chairs and a table. It's adjacent to a lawn and a tree with autumn-colored leaves, set against a twilight sky.

Modern two-story house with large glass windows, flat roof, and illuminated autumn trees on both sides, viewed from the street.

For more information on Khanna Schultz, visit khanna-schultz.com.

Photography by Michael Moran.
Photography styling by Carin Scheve.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.





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