A long-time client and accomplished pilot challenged us to transform his working airplane hangar into the ultimate aviation-inspired man cave—a place where you can stay a while, work on the plane, grab lunch after a flight, or disappear for the weekend. This project encompassed full architecture, interior design, and FF&E procurement, allowing every detail to be thoughtfully integrated from concept through completion.

The hangar was fully reimagined to balance function and fantasy: a pool table, foosball table, dedicated space for plane mechanics, two offices, and a bathroom anchor the working side of the hangar, while the lounge and living areas lean fully into the romance of flight. The bedroom—affectionately dubbed the Black Box—features a world map and time zones on the exterior, nodding to global travel and constant motion.

Aviation memorabilia sets the tone throughout, with airplane galley storage cleverly repurposed as nightstands and industrial metal garage cabinetry reinvented as kitchen cabinets. The lounge seating is custom riveted aluminum—straight out of an aircraft fuselage—paired with runway-inspired chandeliers and sconces that double as sculptural lighting moments.

The hangar floor is polished concrete, sandblasted with a custom compass rose beneath the plane, while a dramatic 10-foot industrial fan provides ventilation and visual impact. In the kitchen, a bold red SMEG refrigerator adds a punch of color and personality, intentionally coordinating with the red curved steel trusses that define the hangar’s structure. Aluminum doors with exposed riveted detailing reinforce the aviation narrative at every turn, alongside a custom metal-fabricated mezzanine above.

Personal treasures—like a beloved Doc Holiday painting and a taxidermy deer head—were thoughtfully (and creatively) integrated into the design, proving that even the most unexpected elements can find a home in a well-crafted concept. The bathroom continues the utilitarian theme with a no-nonsense utility sink that feels perfectly at home in the hangar.

Fun, fast-paced, and full of personality, this project was one of the quickest executions on record—and one of the most memorable. A true pilot’s retreat, designed for takeoff at a moment’s notice.