### [How Light Turns a Hamptons Garage into a Nocturnal Gallery](https://01des.com/en/project/345)

**Published:** 2026-08-23T08:05:06

**Author:** 01DES Editor

**Excerpt:** Orsman Design transforms a sunken garage and basketball…

Beneath a Sagaponack residence defined by white and cream interiors, Elle Mara Garage establishes a radically different world through an almost nightclub-like lighting atmosphere. Rather than treating illumination as a finishing layer, Orsman Design uses movement, colour temperature and reflection to organise the collector garage and adjoining basketball court.

![Seven collector cars beneath custom membrane light panels in Elle Mara Garage](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075153-2YVcm6Dk.webp!dis)

Seven collector cars are arranged beneath custom membrane light panels.

## Descending into a nocturnal set

Reached through the wine cellar, the garage and basketball court intensify the transition from domestic life into a darkened set. Black resin walls, grey floors and mirrors suppress ambient brightness so that vehicles, luminaires and reflections become the primary visual elements.

![Red Porsche beneath an illuminated membrane ceiling](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075155-kSDidqCM.webp!dis)

A membrane panel frames the car like an individual display bay.

![View from the sunken basketball court towards the collector garage](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075158-QmcMf2DI.webp!dis)

Glazing maintains a visual connection between garage and court.

## Light as a variable display system

Each of the seven bays is crowned by a custom stretched-membrane panel that shifts between cool and warm white. Wall-mounted Ketra fixtures wash the dark enclosure in red, blue, green and violet, giving each vehicle a sculptural presence while the resin floor turns illumination into liquid-like reflection.

![Sunken basketball court with acoustic panels and disc luminaires](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075200-TXJyvZph.webp!dis)

Acoustic panels and court-inspired luminaires extend the nocturnal atmosphere.

## The court continues the optical language

Set one level lower, the basketball court uses two tones of acoustic wall panelling to control reverberation and visual noise. Disc luminaires recall the geometry of a basketball, while three linear strips echo court markings. Custom-produced by Italian company BlackLight, the bullet-resistant acrylic system clips to the ceiling with magnetic receivers.

![Blue-grey classic car beneath a luminous ceiling panel](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075202-iXl5LNhT.webp!dis)

Directional light sharpens the vehicle's curves and metallic finish.

![Red classic sports car framed by mirrors and light panels](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075205-ZM064fcb.webp!dis)

Mirrors extend the perceived depth of the collection space.

## Composing through negative space

Orsman understands lighting as movement through space rather than uniform brightness. The project gains force through selection: deciding which surfaces receive light and which remain in darkness. Illumination, vehicles and enclosure form a deliberate hierarchy, turning the garage from a service space into a private gallery with adjustable atmosphere.

![Silver collector car emerging from the dark enclosure](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075206-wMooNwH1.webp!dis)

Selective illumination lifts the car from the dark enclosure.

![Convertible collection beneath repeated luminous ceiling panels](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075209-aAFgU9Iu.webp!dis)

Repeated light panels establish rhythm across the bays.

![Soft overhead light tracing the body of a silver car](https://cdn.01des.com/uploads/2026/08/20260823-075210-A9QZmrpH.webp!dis)

Restrained overhead light concentrates attention on form and finish.

> Here, light does more than reveal a collection; contrast, colour temperature and reflection reshape how cars and the adjoining court are experienced.

**Project credits**  
Project — Elle Mara Garage  
Lighting design — Orsman Design  
Lighting designer, founder — Nathan Orsman  
Custom lighting system — BlackLight  
Images — Courtesy of Orsman Design  
Original feature — Wallpaper\*  
Writer — Osman Can Yerebakan  
Editorial adaptation — 01DES

**Tags:** Collector Garage, Elle Mara Garage, Lighting Design, Orsman Design, Sagaponack

**Categories:** Residential

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