Estate News

Australian brand reimagines garage as hybrid HQ and design lab

By Yessi Hartanto  | 
Australian brand reimagines garage as hybrid HQ and design lab - hybrid design lab
ZETR’s New South Wales headquarters repurposes a 1960s garage and exhaust workshop into a functional and aesthetic design space.

A 1960s garage and exhaust workshop in New South Wales has been transformed into the new headquarters of ZETR, an Australian electrical brand that combines design, production, and collaboration under one roof. The refurbished site embodies the company’s philosophy of merging functionality with aesthetics, allowing electrical systems to become part of the architecture rather than appearing as separate installations.

The headquarters weaves ZETR’s power, lighting, and control solutions into workstations, meeting rooms, and breakout zones, turning them into everyday touchpoints. While the original garage’s red brick, concrete, and steel framework remain intact, they have been adapted to support contemporary workflows.

To anticipate future needs, the brand partnered with a spatial designer, yet most of the layout was developed by its own team. Custom furniture pieces, such as a refurbished vintage Herman Miller desk and a stone-topped charging table supplied by Aldini Australia, reinforce this integration. Additionally, the space features self-designed display consoles and coffee tables crafted using the same metal and stone techniques employed in the company’s manufacturing process.

The building functions as more than a workplace; it serves as a testing ground where staff can experiment with materials, technology, and spatial interactions. Unlike a conventional showroom, the environment invites hands-on experimentation while continuously reinforcing the brand’s identity.

Sustainability played a central role in the project. Through the RELIVE program in partnership with Living Edge, vintage elements, including the Herman Miller desks, were given new life rather than being discarded. This approach demonstrates the company’s commitment to reusing existing resources and showcases how design decisions influence both product development and daily operations.

Overall, the headquarters illustrates how architecture can echo a brand’s values, proving that thoughtful design shapes not only what a company creates but also how it functions. Visitors walking through the site experience ZETR’s philosophy firsthand, observing electrical systems seamlessly woven into the built environment.

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