V-ZUG Richmond studio
Walking into Swiss appliance brand V-ZUG’s new Melbourne studio is not unlike visiting a friend’s home.
It’s a warm, approachable space where one is tempted to perch on a stool at the island, pull up a chair at the dining table or laze on the oversized sofa while something is rustled up in the kitchen. In other words, it’s a very Australian kind of space, reflective of the company’s philosophy around its global studios – that they should embody their locale in both look and feel.
“Each V-ZUG studio has a unique expression of the brand that complements the individual soul of the location, while also staying true to our design principles of pared-back simplicity and elegance,” says the company’s global art director, Gabriel Castelló Pinyon, who has overseen the design of studios for the appliance specialist everywhere from Copenhagen to Singapore.
For the company’s second Australian showroom – on Church Street in Richmond, Melbourne – Pinyon opted for an earthy palette. Ochre tones redolent of the desert meld with greens, pale pinks and greys, bringing an inviting sense of comfort to the otherwise minimalist studio space.
“For the first time, we have introduced colour into a studio, paying homage to the Australian outback and green bush landscapes, while keeping to the minimalistic principles of other studios,” says Pinyon. “We wanted to showcase the unique aspects of the local environment through the colour palette and interior furnishings while considering sustainability, quality, thoughtful design and local collaboration.”
Collaboration is a hallmark of V-ZUG’s global studios, “honouring our commitment to ‘embracing local’ through both a design and sustainability lens,” says Pinyon. For this space, the design team worked closely with Ross Gardam to curate both lighting and furniture, including a custom sofa by the Melbourne designer. The Front Room Gallery, DesignByThem and Rug Couture also contributed pieces.
The 165-square-metre studio comprises distinct kitchen zones, each one designed to highlight the brand’s range of appliance finishes in black, pearl and platinum mirror glasses. “The space also delivers functionality,” says Pinyon, “with a hidden kitchen that provides the V-ZUG Gourmet Academy team a place to prepare for the regular guest dining experiences and events hosted in the studio.”
V-ZUG opened its first Australian studio in Surry Hills, Sydney, in April 2024. It, too, reflects a spirit of place, with a distinctly coastal ambience, a light and bright colour palette and homewares sourced from renowned Sydney brands including Mud Australia and Dinosaur Designs.
Interior design by V-ZUG. Build by Mood Construction.
